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Third Sunday African Drumming Class Near Seven Springs, Pa

Happy New Year Everyone,

This weekend I’ll begin teaching a once a month drumming class near the Seven Springs Ski Resort. If you’re interested in attending I’ve included the details below.

Third Sunday of the month West African drumming class at Body in Balance Healing Center located at 9801 Country Commons, Champion, PA 15622 (phone-412-999-3553)

Everyone is invited to join the class regardless of previous experience.

In this class we’ll learn the basics techniques of hand drumming – creating different sounds on a single drum. We’ll learn to play traditional drumming rhythms from Mali and Guinea, West Africa in setting comprised of djembes (hand drums) and dunduns (drums played with a stick). We’ll also learn songs that go with the different drumming rhythms.

Group drumming is great way to relieve stress and a means for people to come together and share in the creation of rhythms that have deep links with the cultures of the West Africa.

Schedule: 2:00–3:30 p.m.
January 20, February 3 and March 17

The cost will be $20 per class.
I’ll bring along two or three loaner djembes; the dunduns will be provided.

Students can bring a small recording device and a pad and paper if they want to document the information provided in the class

Playing Percussion for a Vinyasa Flow Yoga Class

Using percussion instruments such as tabla, frame drum, gong, woodblock, cowbell and rattles, I created a unique soundscape at last night’s vinyasa flow yoga class which was led by Mark Staley at Amazing Yoga in Shadyside in Pittsburgh, Pa.
It was an exciting experience as the music, instructor’s directions and the participant’s shifting through their various postures came together in such a way that it became like an ocean, ebbing and flowing. It was rhythm in motion.
The participant’s response was very positive, so I’m sure we’ll be continuing the collaboration in the coming year.

Are the Materials on Student’s Page Accessible?

Hi All,

I’ve been putting materials up on my blog over that past few days and I wanted to check and see if you (my students) have been able to access them. Please respond with a comment. It will help me as I proceed with posting more materials.

Thank you,
Gordon

For Those Who Keep Up

It’s turning out to be a very busy summer. I’ve been playing a lot and I’ll be moving soon, so there hasn’t been time to organize a drumming class. I plan to move into a studio space near the East End Co-op in July, so as soon as I can get set up there, I start offering classes again.

Thanks for your patience.
Gordon

I promise to post things about when and where I’ll be performing in the future.

First Night of Open Drumming is a Success

Hello Pittsburgh Hand Drummers,

I’ll be leading an open drumming session at Greenfield Presbyterian Church, this Thursday, February 24 from 7–9 p.m. Some loaner drums will be provided. I’ll be asking for a five dollar donation from each participant.
The church is located at 3929 Coleman St. Pittsburgh, PA 15207.

My intention with this event is to provide an indoor environment where people can come together to drum, and have fun.

Drumming brings people together. My hope is that in this context, we can create rhythms that are the result of the collective creativity of everyone present.

Open Drumming in Greenfield

Hello Pittsburgh Hand Drummers,

I’ll be leading an open drumming session at Greenfield Presbyterian Church, this Thursday, February 24 from 7–9 p.m. Some loaner drums will be provided. I’ll be asking for a five dollar donation from each participant.
The church is located at 3929 Coleman St. Pittsburgh, PA 15207.

My intention with this event is to provide an indoor environment where people can come together to drum, and have fun.

Drumming brings people together. My hope is that in this context, we can create rhythms that are the result of the collective creativity of everyone present.

First Night of Open Drumming is a Success

On Thursday, January 27, we held our first evening of open drumming as part of six-week in between class three and four of the six-week class in Djembe and Dundun Drumming, which I’m currently teaching at Greenfield Presbyterian Church.

I’m able to give a great report on the evening’s activities. In addition to the three participants currently enrolled in the class, six hand drummers attend the session.

From all reports everyone had a great time!