Sorry for the slow update month, I'll try and make up for it with a month-end wrap-up.
Check out Rootsy Records, a site devoted to djembe drumming. Especially take the time to read his short essays on the nature of playing, learning, and teaching the djembe. Great links page, too.
Today I get my first taste of jury duty. It wouldn't be so bad except they don't really let you know what's going on. Call back at 5:30, Call back at noon. What's going on!?!
This month marks record sales of the Djembe Djammer and record hits on the website. Word seems to be getting out. Kind of scary, to know somebody may actually read this, but it is nice to make enough money to eat doing something I love. Remember, $10 is a CD to you, it's dinner to me! Thanks for all the support!
Last but not least, Mr.Brown finally has a gig! This Friday, MVP's Raleigh. Kind of torn - I still can't bring myself to like rock music - but it will be fun to get out and play in front of some people. That makes the musical selection worth it to me!
this will be on the education page when it's done, but here's a start...
teaching emphasis
People come to me asking me to teach them “drums”, sometimes even more specifically “drumset” or “djembe” or any of the other percussion instruments. Sometimes they ask about styles – “teach me to play jazz”, “teach me to play rock”. I usually take the direction they want to go, combine it with a basic set of techniques I feel any percussionist needs to posses in order to be successful, and then get to work.
Lately however, I’ve been rethinking my approach. Is it my job to teach people how to be “drummers”? Is it my job to teach “styles” of music? Or is it my job to provide a larger context within which playing drums is one part?
I’ve come upon the idea that I should be teaching Art first, Music second, Percussion third, and specifics like drums or styles last (if at all). Why the change to a broader focus? Many reasons. First of all, from my own experiences, I know that where I thought I wanted to go with my music, even up to and through the college level, is not where I’ve ended up going, and I’m glad it turned out this way. Also, I know that one of the prime reasons I get hired for jobs is because I don’t think or play like a “drummer”, I am an artist, a musician, who happens to be playing the drums. Also, when I look at the dreadful state of music today, I have to make sure I am not leading others down a path where the think pop music is art, or that pop culture is culture at all. Not that I have anything against pop music, I listen to it, I play it, but the main focus of pop music is and always will be entertainment, not art.
Dear Drumming Community,
Many of you have already heard, but I regret to inform you that Guinee and the world have lost another Jembe legend: Lamine Lopez Soumah of Les Percussions de Guinee.
Lopez died on Tuesday, August 10, 2004, after a motorcycle accident and several months in medical care. His death was a shock and terrible tragedy as he is highly regarded by peers, younger artists, and students from around the world. A devout Muslim, husband, and father, Lopez is survived by 3 wives and 8 children. We will all miss him greatly. Another masterful legend has left our world. Allahakbar.
Please visit http://balletwarraba.org/ for more information about and photos of Lamine Lopez.
Tiani Tarr
Ballet Warraba
check this out...
right on!
did you know some schools now offer a music business degree? I can see why now. I hate that part of this job. Anyway, I've been marketing my -butt- off the past few weeks (hopefully it will work. if you're reading this, it probably has) and I now have sites on iuma and myspace. I'll try to keep the content on the three sites different, but no promises on how often the other two will be updated. For the good stuff, keep it right here!
some wisdom from the master, bill bruford, in this month's drum! magazine-
for (lots) more, pick up the mag.
Have something to add? Sign the Guestbook!
View Guestbook
