Greetings from Singapore from a barefooted drummer

[BarefootJoe]

Hi everyone!

I'm very new to the djembe, having only touched one for the first time last year. Here's my short story with the djembe thus far...

I love to run, but due to lack of training this year, I didn't take part in the local marathon at the end of the year. The night before the marathon is due to start, i've had the idea that I should do something to cheer on the runners, as I had fond memories of those (very) few people who bothered to cheer the runners during my first marathon.

I have a friend who's an ex-(national)runner whom I know collects musical instruments, so I asked him if he'd like to bring along his drums to the park at 4:30 a.m. the next day and we'll cheer those runners on. Both of us didn't have any training in drumming, but we figured we'll just do some simple rhythms for the runners to run to. And so a small djembe was brought for me and a daburka for my friend.

And wow, what a great experience that morning turned out to be. Tens of thousands of runners, truly grateful for having a beat to run to - if only for a short while in their 42.195km long journey. Our beats weren't all that musical, but it's obvious that it made an effect - tired faces gave way to smiles and they cheered and clapped for us, and we played harder and cheered in return. The energy was incredible. A few even slowed down a little to give the little djembe I was playing a pat. We played for nearly 4 hours, but we didn't feel all that tired, the positive vibes from all the runners energized us. All this, without really knowing what we're doing!

But, I came home thinking that there must be a lot more to this. I didn't even know how to strike the drum properly and just did whatever I thought was natural (which in the end turned out to be the basic bass and tone sounds). Just one Google search for "djembe Singapore" later, and lo and behold, I find a djembe school right here in Singapore - Lila Drums or Tam Tam Mandingue Singapore.

I signed up for their last lesson available for 2010, and have been taking lessons with TTM Singapore since classes reopened in January '11. So much fun every time, and all the stresses of the day just melt away with the rhythms - and as a father of a 6-month-old, stress came aplenty!

And now, I look forward to having my first djembe drum to arrive from the US and continuing my journey with this magical instrument that made smiling faces out of tired ones. Maybe, i'll even get to play for thousands of new faces running past again at the end of this year?

P.S. I'm easy to spot at any drum class, i'm the guy that doesn't wear shoes, ever. I'm also vegetarian, so at first, it was difficult for me to make a decision regarding picking up the djembe as I didn't really want to play a cheap fiberglass instrument, and killing a goat for a drum is right out for me. Thankfully, Rhythm House Drums makes a (I think) good sounding vegetarian djembe and that made my current journey so much easier, or even possible. Can't wait for the drum to arrive! social/show-off-your-axe-t572-345.html#p17504

EDIT: Made some edits to make things clearer.

[michi]

I signed up for their last lesson available for 2010, and have been taking lessons with TTM Singapore since classes reopened in January '11.

You went to the right place. You'll learn correct technique there, as well as genuine traditional rhythms. And the people there are a great bunch, fun to hang out with!

Congrats on your new drum too. Your life will never be quite the same again...

Cheers,

Michi.

[Trog]

That is a good story. I saw your drum on the axe page, and I think it looks very nice.

[EvanP]

Welcome, and yes your drum looks very nice (if cold!). It (and you) will be happy in warm Singapore.

[freefeet]

Welcome to a new journey, Joe!

[BarefootJoe]

Thanks michi, Trog, EvanP and freefeet. It's wonderful to be here.

Weeee, I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve, my drum has just left Hong Kong on a plane destined towards Singapore! Sure hope the throwers would be gentler on this precious package.

[michi]

Weeee, I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve, my drum has just left Hong Kong on a plane destined towards Singapore!

Please, do remember to breathe, eat, and drink while your drum is in transit

Cheers,

Michi.

[Trog]

Have you received your drum yet or are you standing by the door still?