The Beach Dream
By Jacob
The beach…
I haven’t had the dream in years, but I still remember it: I would be somewhere not out of the ordinary (in East Gippsland, Victoria, Australia, where I grew up) doing general dream business, and I would somehow come across a small trail of sand. This small trail would lead to a larger trail, which led to more sand, which led to a beach, encircled by palm trees and coloured by the hue of light only found near the equator. It was where I had first studied African drumming as a 13 year old in 1999, in Nungua, Ghana.
Each time I had the dream, I kept finding out that Nungua was just around the corner, and easily accessible at any time! I also still remember the fading from happiness to disappointment each time I woke up. I have no idea what that dream could possibly have meant.
A photo of lessons on the aforementioned beach in 1999
Fast forward to 2008 and I had finished school, moved to Melbourne, Australia, studied music for a year, and – so I thought – decided to take a non-musical path. Music was still in my life – I had been teaching African drumming since I was 15, been playing drum kit and percussion for years, recorded on film and TV soundtracks, and played in countless bands – but I was drifting away from music, not enjoying it as much, and taking on other study with notions of becoming an academic.
It felt at the time that maybe my life was meant to move away from music – were it not for my teacher and musician friends throwing me gigs and teaching opportunities – albeit somewhat unwanted and a bit frustrating at the time – I think the ‘drifting’ would have taken hold. I might even be a math teacher now…
So, in January 2008. I had a question to answer – was I actually going to *choose* to pursue music, or did I need to stop it from pursuing me?
I decided to run a test: I’d go back to Ghana to study drumming, and see if I could hack it.
I reckoned I had enough money saved to last six months, so I took a leave of absence from my other study, and decided to see if I was interested enough in, and committed enough to, music to immerse myself in nothing else for the whole 6 months. On the other side of the world.
While based on a lot of privilege and good fortune, my plan still had some structure: for the first month of my trip, I would be travelling with a study group (the same group with which I had travelled nearly 10 years earlier – this would be their 10th anniversary tour) and learning with others. If I didn’t enjoy it, I figured, I could just leave with everyone else at the end of the month – no harm done.
But, when I first stepped off the plane at Accra airport and was hit by the smell – mouldy, humid, oppressive, and completely familiar – a flood of sense memories came rushing back, and I had a tingling feeling in my chest that suggested that I might be here for a while.
Further, throughout that whole first ride from the airport to our accommodation in Nungua, every tree, every building, suggested a forgotten memory, and a return to somewhere that felt like home. My head was buzzing as I thought ‘I remember that!‘, ‘That wasn’t there before!‘, and ‘Do I remember that?!‘. The buzzing was good – my recollection is that I was really really happy.
I was back.
Needless to say, the first month flew by – I knew pretty quickly that going home with everyone else wasn’t the way it was going to go. Instead, I stayed, and the next 5 months consisted of long days comprising 2-5 hours of 1 on 1 lessons with master drummers, sitting in (and trying to keep up) with traditional group rehearsals and performances, and transcribing, practising and trying to understand what I’d learned that day – it was immersive. And awesome.
Not only did this period fill my head (and lots of notebooks) with lots of knowledge, it got me going again. It was back to being a student at the most basic level – thrown into the deep end and out of my depth – that reconnected me with music. It also made me determined and excited to connect with my students in a different way from then on.
I realised I had a lot to offer: not just knowledge of rhythms, technique, and musical tricks, but the understanding of the value of learning African drumming itself – the value of appreciating the rich history, the physical benefits of immersing in such a grounding and all-consuming activity, and the feeling of accomplishment with the development of new skills. I also realised the privilege I had to be able to travel and experience this myself, and to help others access these same feelings via teaching.
This time also made clear that, despite having spent a lot of time teaching, I will – probably like you – always be a student of African drumming. It is this lifelong studentship, and a willingness to share and document what I’ve learned so far, that led me to creating African Drumming Online.
I thought I’d share this story because I got to thinking about why I do all this – looking back to how I felt back then – and I realised, really, it’s all about you: without students, there is no teaching! I am lucky enough to be able to teach, share, and tap into those feelings that I had while learning in Africa, and to keep African Drumming Online alive, because of you.
So, thank you, and I hope you enjoy African Drumming Online.
Also, if you want to learn from me directly, or even if you just want to have a chat, don’t be shy about organising a one-on-one online lesson with me at any time, here.
Thanks for reading, I hope my blathering made sense… How did you get into drumming? Had any strange drumming dreams? Want to say hello? Please leave a comment below!
Little 1999 me
Cheers,
Jacob
I love reading this; especially how, upon returning to Africa, it was the smells that first “got” you. I am 69, had thoughts always that I want to play drums/or ‘a’ drum. I started watching a woman drummer/teacher online, (who studied with many masters) & bought a small djembe, & am just starting. It is so fun. I’m thrilled to find you too. Thank you!!
Oh where to start,, The joy of being my turn ,because of a birthday or good marks, in infant school, to play the big drum, but then the recorder was the only instrument lesson available in high school, I enjoyed that, and got fairly good, unlike all the academic subjects. In the 70`s I bought a small double ended African drum with carved sides, from an African/ Indian craft shop, in Warwickshire, loved that ,much to Dad`s annoyance. But it wasn`t untill the late 90`s I went to a workshop, that was Samba, which led to a millennium carnival in Mid Wales, using a tenor drum, bought for a tenner from a charity shop, I had to march, well hobble, with my knee in make shift splints, because I slipped on the stairs the night before, hows that for dedication? Then there seemed to be a gap , life, work ,ect the distraction, In 2016, back in the Midlands again, I started to follow a folk trio, now band, called Peter Knights Gigspanners, and did a go fund them, for their album, in return I got 2 hours one to one lesson from their lovely drummer ,Sacha Trochet, which led me to buy a triple conga cajon, which came in very handy for a Samba workshop starting up in Stratford upon Avon, our leader and teacher got us playing fetes ,flashmob, festivals /fayres ect, sadly covid put an end to it ,and Bo , our leader had to take a full time office job, Once things started to get back to normal, some of the Samba members set about starting up again, but Bo was unable to take the time off from his job, so In2Culture African drumming were booked, the new group folded because of fall in numbers, so I joined their other group that have been doing it for years, and it`s a bit of a challenge trying to keep up with the pace of all the experienced members, no time to write stuff down, and by the time I get back home, I struggle to remember the new grooves to practice. So I am hoping to watch you play some of the same grooves , so I can up my game ,and play like a pro.
Wow. What a journey. I haven’t had a chance to look at any lessons yet. It’s a busy week. My drumming journey began in my early twenties. I had gone to a hippie wedding in a meadow (mid 1970’s) (upstate NY) and there was a conga there. I just naturally improvised. playing along to Amazing Grace. Then again I had been involved in dance since I was 4. (note: I’m in my late 60’s now). Through the years I’ve been involved with many drum circles. As a performance poet, I utilize drumming, movement and rhythm (of course) in my work. I have had many drums and other percussion instruments flow in and out of my life, from frame drums to djembes, ashiskas, doumbeks, bongos, drum kits, not mention tambourines, shakers, llama toenails, seed pods, ting shas,….you get the idea. I love drumming (my kids used to say I had my drum face on because when I would drum I would space out). As a matter of fact, I have a course I teach called Herstory of the Drum referencing Layne Redmond’s book “When The Drummers Were Women”. I won an award for a drumming poem I wrote and performed called “Gaia’s Psalm”. First drum piece I ever wrote that arose spontaneously and organically as I noodled around with my first frame drum. BTW, I know I’m talking about frame drume a lot, but I actually love the djembe as well (note: I sold my ashika when I moved from Florida to Alaska). It’s one of the drum sales I regret. She was beautiful with two tone carved wood and a natural head. I haven’t found an ashika since, but, oh well. (I was sent to Alaska on a healing walk by a beloved Cherokee medicine woman who has since dropped her robes. So I also drum Native American rhythms.) And bongos – man, do I dig bongos. But in all this time drumming, it’s only been recently that I’ve been learning the names of the strokes. And until I found your site, I had only been looking at a frame drumming site, and though I have a couple of frame drums, I gravitated toward one of my djembes. So I’m excited to learn the names for the strokes I already intuitively know. One more thing…tomorrow morning I facilitate my first drum circle for preschoolers. Any suggestions?
Hi Ellen, perfect alignment! I am a professional sound therapist but my personal love is shamanic drumming and use a couple of frame drums. I bought the book When the women were drummers ages ago and create clay figurines inspired by them. I have 2 djambes but have always had them in the background awaiting my attention. Re reading the book recently has motivated me to get into the African rhythms. I would love to find your poem somewhere to read.
Amazing experience you’ve had..I wanted to learn drumming to add to my mediation or quite time ..actually bought a frame drum and took a small course online still not good at it..was talking with my brother about different drums and he gifted me with the double bongos ,a week later he got me the bigger stand alone drum..he plays guitar..so I want to learn to play them just like they do in drumming circles..
It’s the getting lost in the sound of the drums I want to achieve.
I was in Ghana in 1985 working with Community Development and travelling to different villages. Each village we went to welcomed us with drumming and dancing and I fell in love with drumming. I then became an elementary music teacher and drumming with students was a regular part of my curriculum. I later became a drum circle facilitator in our community. It is great to get back into drumming.
Hi! I love your story. Congratulations on being brave enough to follow your dream. I’ve play taiko; four years now. I have dabbled with frame drumming, cajon, and djembe. I have a love of music. I tried guitar and ukulele, but have discovered my passion is drumming. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge and love that you offer it for free!! It’s wonderful to find generosity in these challenging times. Thank you!!
I was always fascinated by drumming after seeing Osibisa perform in Christchurch NZ as a visiting merchant seaman. I also got to experience Ghana and local drummers. It still didn’t click that I wanted to try it. 45years later I saw an ad for a local drumming class but sadly I was looking after my terminally Ill partner. She passed away 2 years ago. I was out in my campervan at Stonehenge and saw a guy drumming. After a brief chat he got another drum out to join in. Wow..I was hooked and bought my first Djembe and glean youtube for drum riffs. Lovin it. Regards. Steve UK
My first memory of drumming was in grade 4. We had a school production with the song “little drummer boy”.
Our music teacher at the time kept asking other students to play the drum, and increasingly I was getting very frustrated I hadn’t been chosen! The other kids were out of time!! So out of time!!
Eventually, the music teacher sat me down and said it’s harder than I think, but he would give me a shot.
I was like a duck to water, and to my surprise I was cast as the little drummer boy! The music teacher informed my parents I had a real knack for it and they should consider getting me drumming lessons. Alas, I was not interested in multiple drums, I liked the one and did not know at the time learning a djembe was an option. So it sat at the back of my mind. The occasional drumming along on the dashboard of the car, or playing a drum when the chance presented its self.
26 years later, a friend gave me a djembe when he saw my face light up as I was playing it. I love the life lessons I am taught through drumming. Over think it and you loose the beat. Become arrogant, you loose the beat.
Feel it and be in the moment, realise the universe is playing through you and be in awe of the music as it heals the soul.
Looking forward to my deeper journey into drumming.
I love your story! One of following your heart & your passion. For me growing up in New Zealand I learned classical piano, and I spent my spare time learning rock music and traditional Irish music. Once I stepped out of my home world and into the adult world taking my piano with me wasn’t and option. Recently I discovered African drumming and I’m hooked. I’ve also discovered mbira so between these 2 instruments I’m on a huge learning curve and loving it. My Djembe is a piece of art as well as an awesome sounding drum. The learning curve is steep, but hoping your lessons will help with that 🙂
Enjoyed reading this!
I have no background in music whatsoever but I have aways been fascinated by drums.
Appreciate the work you do and looking forward to learn African drumming, must be an exciting experience.
You are a blessed.soul.and.elohim is with you to be able to know your gift ase
Yes, a great story of connection and re-connection. I find it intriguing and affirming that you refer to the smell that set the big picture of your journey in fuller view. We can easily overlook our sense of smell and its direct impact on our heart, mind and soul. The olfactory sense may be one of the only organ systems that connects DIRECTLY to the brain, unmodified by other brain centers.
Meanwhile, it reminds me so much of my own experience (only the first half, unfortunately) of studying drumming in Nepal. I was there on a medical expedition/world health course, when I discovered an opportunity to study with a master drummer (Nucche) in Nepal. I only had a short time to do so, but in that short time, I would take 4-5 lessons a day, go and practice for an hour or two between each one then return for more study. The hotel didn’t want me to disturb others with my drumming so they allowed me access to the roof, where I could practice with a view of the Himalayas! What a gift! I went on to continue drumming intermittently (main instrument, guitar) and studied rudiments of tabla. Always have had an affinity for pitch bending drums.
Never could get back to Nepal, and doubt he is still alive.
So, thank you for your invitation to read your blog. I’m currently drumming on more of a dumbek instrument (and messing with a Korg Wavedrum which I like since it is acoustically triggered), just starting to improve my basic articulations. I believe I want to work a bit more on my own, but would definitely consider a 1:1 in the future!