On my blog page I often get asked this question, “who should I study from” or “how can I learn to play drums”?
The first and most obvious way to find a teacher is to google search for one in your area. For example “djembe class New York City”. If nothing pops up for a teacher close to your home you can also do a search for “drum circle” or “drumming event”. Going to a drum circle, music performance or drumming event is a great way to meet other students as well. At a drumming event you can see the teacher perform or teach and then feel out if that person is the right teacher for you or not. You can also ask other drummers at a drum circle or drumming event who they study with or who they recommend. Word of mouth is an excellent way to find a teacher as well.
Remember that just because someone plays well, or performs well at a concert or performance does not make them a good teacher. Teaching is a skill into and of itself. Patience and great communication skills are a must as well as experience and knowledge of the subject. Often people are teaching that do not know the material they are teaching correctly. So be sure to check out the persons credibility.
If there are not teachers in your area and you want to drum at home there are excellent resources on line as well. Mamady Keita has excellent “How to Play Djmebe” DVD’s and a book as well. They will never replace a hands on experience like you will have with a teacher, however. I say this from experience as I drummed for years without an instructor. When I finally found my first teacher my drumming improved quickly and efficiently as well.
African drumming comes from an oral tradition. This oral tradition of learning was passed down from father to son. There was not a written notation system or use of math and numbers like we do in the west. It was a teaching method of sharing by being shown a part, one part at a time. Today many teachers still pass on the wisdom and information in the traditional way as well teaching with western methods and notation systems. See which way works for you the best or try both!