African Drumming: Drum DVD

Olatunji's reputation as an authoritative voice on African drumming traditions means students learn from someone who lived and embodied this music rather than studying it at arm's length. The emphasis on the spiritual dimension of drumming opens a dimension many Western percussion programs overlook, deepening students' understanding of why these rhythms and instruments matter beyond mechanics.

The atmosphere is contemplative and purposeful, balancing technical clarity with reverence for the instruments and traditions being shared. You'll experience rhythmic patterns that feel both accessible and profound, with performances that inspire rather than intimidate.

Percussion students and drummers seeking to expand beyond Western drumset and mallets into hand drumming traditions will find Olatunji's direct instruction invaluable. This DVD serves teachers introducing world percussion into their curricula, as well as serious students who want to ground their playing in authentic cultural and spiritual practice.

• Spend time listening to the full patterns before attempting to isolate individual hand techniques; African drumming builds from listening and internalization rather than notation alone.
• Pay attention to the relationship between the djembe and ashiko when both are demonstrated; understanding how these drums complement each other in ensemble contexts will strengthen your overall rhythmic vocabulary.
• Return to the spiritual and cultural context Olatunji emphasizes throughout; this framing will deepen your connection to the material and inform your phrasing and intention.

Use this as a resource for units on world music or cultural diversity in percussion studies. It also works as supplementary material alongside hand drumming workshops or when introducing students to djembe and ashiko as primary instruments rather than auxiliary percussion.

• Hand drumming technique on djembe and ashiko
• Recognition and execution of West African rhythmic patterns
• Understanding percussion within cultural and spiritual contexts
• Listening-based learning and internalization of complex rhythms
• Ensemble awareness and complementary rhythm roles