This autobiographical "Drum Lesson" book shows
the basic rhythmic patterns that you will play in everything from Afro Cuban,
the Blues, Traditional African, Rock 'n roll, Funk, to Soul and more. Explained
simply with a CD that has 33 tracks on it!(72 minutes of music)
Each track corresponds to a chapter in "Way of the
Drum", This style of playing is designed for the beginner as well as
the advanced, based on "feeling" the Grooves, leaving SPACE, keeping
the downbeat, SHARING the groove, TO ESTABLISH A DEEP TRANCE.
This is Sacred drumming for OUR culture. It is a mix of
every kind of music that we have heard. These grooves are not from some
other country. Although they are based on authentic rhythms from All over
the World.
"Way of the Drum" makes the journey easy and
supportive, without the intellectual confusion of "learning".
This is a distillation of 35 years of teaching all kinds of drumming, with
a minimum of Macho posturing.
It is for the woman or man playing a Djembe or frame drum
or percussion in a meditative group, high performance event or by themselves.
This book gives the solid foundation for sacred Trance,
inspired improvising while nurturing the Magickal empty space within the
groove.
Make your own grooves by learning Rhythm Theory instead
of thinking so much.
Order the book and CD now! And get an autographed copy,
dedicated to you!
There are many ways to play the drums. What has evolved with us is a
way to enjoy the healing magical process in the drum without having to "learn".
It is a method whereby you feel the rhythms and playing from your body and
your heart. The brain is used for the very basic technique of learning to
hit the drum but then we get out of the brain and into the body to learn
from doing rather than falling into the habit of intellectually acquiring
a skill.
Most people in technological cultures are locked up in their brains.
The need to get ahead and push is inherent in that environment. Indigenous
cultures have always used the drum for healing and integrating processes.
We are now rediscovering the need for that part of our being as an important
element for our survival both physically and spiritually.
Prayer and meditation have always been a tool for acquiring wisdom and
enlightenment. These things are accessed through the drum in a non verbal,
non intellectual way. The experience of feeling the rhythms and participating
in them is fulfilling and joyous.
The world's rhythms can be broken down into simple patterns.
The intellectual anxiety of "learning correctly" creates fear
and anxiety in the playing that results in 'pushing the beat", rushing,
busy, unnecessary notes, and tension. The joy can be lost. So getting the
ear to hear and to share in a group experience is how the playing develops
in a non-judgmental environment regardless of the authenticity or "correctness"
of the playing.
Indigenous cultures have taken their own sense of rhythm for granted.
They can't comprehend how we are not in touch with our own sense of rhythm
in a technological culture. The natural connection to our own sense of rhythm
is being lost throughout the world because of the imperative on other agendas.
We are hungry for a way to step out of that mind set even if just for a
few moments into a selfless communal environment of creativity and healing.
This gives us a sense of blessing and wholeness that we can take with us.
Simple lessons are available to download from this website as well as
longer in depth DRUM LESSON VIDEO TAPES. These are not authentic ethnic
rhythms. They're simple basic rhythmic patterns that can be played anywhere
in the world. They are our common language. It is a way for us to talk with
each other and not use words. Because the wisdom and healing energy that
comes up through even the novice drummer benefits all of us.
HelmTone