Want to improve your African drumming skills? We have been offering training in djembe and dunun drumming from West Africa for over a decade.  We focus on traditional styles form Guinea and Mali, learnt from some of the worlds greatest djembe players.

Upcoming Intermediate African Drumming courses.

Intermediate African Drumming Course (5 weeks)  – Djembe and Dunun – Wednesday September 18th

Rhythm is highly important to life in rural Africa, it breaks up the mundane tasks of the day such as pounding grain and turns it into a rhythmic adventure. All stages of life are accompanied by drumming in certain areas of West Africa. Births, , coming of age, planting, harvesting, marriage…. All have their specific rhythms.

Intermediate – Attending African drumming workshops or playing regularly for six months or more. This workshop will focus, on traditional rhythms, techniques, solos and arrangements. Participants can play djembe and/or dunun. We will also explain some common methods of notating rythms and students can record all parts.
Time – 8.15 – 9.45pm Cost – 75 euro. 65euro before August 31st.
Max 12 participants, minimum 8.

Temple Lane Rehearsals

Curved St

Temple Bar

Dublin 2

Drums are provided, but please bring your own if you have one

GIDAMBA ONE DAY WORKSHOP – MARCH 23RD 2019

Gidamba/Sombo Koro is a Malinke rhythm from North East Guinea. Often played at celebrations such as weddings and baptisms, it is danced individually by women.

This workshop is open level, though not suitable for complete beginners. So students should have attended Traditional djembe workshops before.

What you will learn? You will learn the traditional djembe parts, and the three dununs, the djembe call and break. More Advanced players will also learn dunun variations and djembe solo.

DATE – Saturday March 23rd.
TIME – 2.30 – 4.30pm
VENUE – Temple lane rehearsals, Temple Bar, Dublin.
COST – 35EURO
REGISTRATION – [email protected] deposit of 15euro required to secure place.
MAX 10 PARTICIPANTS.

THE TEACHER – Paul McElhatton has been studying Djembe since 2000, firstly with Les Ballets Bougerabou, Senegal, Moussa Camara, Fatala (Guinea), Tomas Camara, Ballet Djoliba (Guinea), Boubacar N’Diata (Cassamance), Followed by studies in Burkina Faso and with Malian Master drummer Drissa Kone.
He is the founder of Irish based West African groups Afro-Eire, Manden Express and Fakoli, and has performed with at many of Irelands top festivals with artists such as Sidiki Dembele.

PARKING – for free parking we recommend you park in Pheonix park and take a short Luas ride to the city centre.

African Drumming Intermediate  – 10th April 2019

This is for students who have been attending African drumming workshops or playing regularly for a few months or have completed 2 introduction courses. This workshop will focus, on traditional rhythms, techniques, solos and arrangements. Participants can play djembe and/or dunun. We will also explain some common methods of notating rythms and students can record all parts.

Venue – Temple Lane Studios (Below the Button Factory, Temple Bar).

Dates – Wednesday April 10th, 17th, 24th, May 1st & 8th 2019

Time  – 8.15 – 9.45pm

Cost – 75euro for the 5 classes

Not sure which level you are Contact Us