How do you know you are ready to teach?

[bubudi]

it would be great to have that information available here where it would have a reasonably large audience. i also agree that for teachers who achieve any of the ttm qualifications, it would be very useful to also refer them back to the ttm website for information on what that qualification means.

[michi]

The first time I ever heard about the certification was when I noticed the "Certified Teachers" heading on the Schools page. (BTW, that page has a few bugs with <u> and </u> markers. Also, is the list up-to-date? The Singapore school isn't listed, for example.)

As far as I know, that one heading about certified teachers is the only hint on the website that the program exists. I haven't been able to find any other info about the certificate on the TTM site. (If there is more, it's bloody well hidden.) Everything else I know about the certificate has come to me by word of mouth.

So, yes, I think it definitely would be good to raise the profile of the program and maybe give it its own logo.

Cheers,

Michi.

[michi]

OK, having read the PDF, I found out that there is a logo. But, when I go and look at the TTM website, I can't find that logo. I found it on Mamady's site instead. But on that logo page, there is no mention of the certificate program (or any info about how the logo is to be used). So, we have a logo with a meaning, but no information about how it is to be used. The page says

It groups under the same banner all African artists who are concerned with preserving traditional Mande music in all its forms, both artistic and social.

That almost implies that if I consider myself "an African artist concerned with preserving traditional Mande music in all its forms, both artistic and social", I can go and use the logo. But I'm pretty sure that's not the intent, and the PDF says that I have to pass the exam before I can use the logo.

Is the logo exclusively for certified teachers to indicate that they've passed the exam? Or are there other uses for it?

Suggestion: add this logo and an explanation of what it represents to the TTM site. And add a section that explains to people that teachers displaying the logo have passed the exam, are competent, etc...

Cheers,

Michi.

PS: Check out the seke seke at top of that logo page. They are bloody awesome! Can anyone tell me where I can get a set of these? I'd love to buy a set!

[bubudi]

michi, perhaps you are confusing the drtm logo with the ttm logo? to use the ttm logo you must pass the cert requirements, including the exam. as far as i understand, drtm unites djembe players from mande who have already proven themselves in africa (through proper apprenticeship and recognition within their communities) and are concerned with maintaining the tradition.

[michi]

michi, perhaps you are confusing the drtm logo with the ttm logo?

No, no confusion here. According to the PDF, that logo is for TTM certified teachers. To use the TTM logo, you must be a TTM School Director--certified teachers are specifically prohibited from using the TTM logo.

as far as i understand, drtm unites djembe players from mande who have already proven themselves in africa (through proper apprenticeship and recognition within their communities) and are concerned with maintaining the tradition.

From the PDF:

Students who are interested in representing Traditional Rhythms as taught by Mamady Keita may become TTM Certified Teachers and use the “DRTM” logo that appears below

That statement is actually ambiguous because it doesn't make it clear whether I have to be certified. The sentence can be read both ways. Is it sufficient for me to just be "interested in representing Traditional Rhythms as taught by Mamady Keita" to use the logo, or do I have to be both interested and be a certified TTM teacher?

Cheers,

Michi.

[Carl]

My read is that you need to be certified to use the logo.

This is the first time I've heard of that particular use of the logo. I've always assumed as bubudi mentioned that it is for drummers from the Mande. I pretty much assumed that if someone was using that logo, then they were "initiated" to the drum, though that might be taking things a bit far. I have only ever seen that logo with a relatively short list of teachers "signed" under it.

C

[Carl]

Getting back to the initial question about teaching, here's my take on the matter...

Please remember, that where I am, djembe teachers of any level/quality are few and far between. When I started teaching (10 years ago) it was even worse. I routinely drove 1+ hours to classes. Some drives were worth it, others...

My judgment of a teacher is based on two basic points: honesty and price

When I started teaching (after months of harassment from friends and fellow musicians) I was probably at a high beginner level on rhythm, coordination and knowledge. My technique was NOT good. (I had recently graduated with a degree in music, so my musicianship was pretty good, but the application to W. African music was just beginning)

When I taught, I was cheap, and I was very open about my skill level. I often told my students to listen to Mamady and Famoudou CDs for the "real thing". Those early students learned technique right along with me. We often had "troubleshooting" classes where we would work on technique as a group. I actively promoted teachers from W. Africa whenever I heard about their classes, and I often coordinated bringing groups of my students to other local events/workshops.

Basically my attitude is that if you are better than your students (in knowledge as well as technique and chops) then it is ok to teach.

Now on to Price! I have been to "advanced" workshops, taught by an American teacher which were priced ON PAR with Mamady and Famoudou at the time, and the level was far from what I would have considered advanced, even for me at that time (I was probably mid to upper "intermediate" then.) I have also been to amazing classes (Lansana Diabata comes to mind) where the cost was dirt cheap, and the quality very high.

I"m not sure I could put a price on levels, but I could imagine something like, as a beginner, you could charge enough to cover the cost of the space (I 'taught' for free at the university for a while)
If you were significantly better than your students, you could charge enough to cover cost plus a cup of coffee, and maybe a burrito. When you are really smoking maybe you could charge enough to have some guacamole with your burrito...

A related issue is, who else is teaching in your area? If there is no one even reasonably "close" you can get away with starting pretty early. If you are already working with a teacher, then I would expect that you would be talking with them to make sure you are ready. Then there is the respect issue, if I had been studying with someone, I would have sought there permission to teach. Then, if there are 20 teacher on your block, well, you'd have to be pretty sure of yourself to get into that competition.

Finally, I go back to something I learned from Mamady way back in my first meetings with him. There are certain questions that a teacher should be able to answer quickly and easily on whatever rhythm they are teaching...

What is the name of the rhythm?
Where do they play it?
Who play's it?
Why?

C

Edited to add:

I didn't even get into the "reasons" that you would want to teach. It was covered pretty well above. I am definitely on the side of teaching because you love the music. Once you are motivated more by the money than the music, then you start cutting some very important corners. And I believe that this is true regardless of your level of accomplishment.

There is also the love of teaching. I would teach statistics if someone wanted to learn about it. (Of course, I'd have to learn it first...) I live for that moment of "ah-ha!" when a student first understands a new concept, or in our case, is first able to hold down a part, or play a solo etc...

[michi]

When I taught, I was cheap, and I was very open about my skill level. I often told my students to listen to Mamady and Famoudou CDs for the "real thing".

I think that's a key point: honesty. I have no problem with anyone teaching anything to anybody. I do have a problem though when someone says "I know rhythm X, and I'll teach you rhythm X" and then they go and promptly stuff it up.

Similarly, I don't have a problem when someone says "I do play djembe and I can show you a few things, but my technique isn't as good as it should be." I do have a problem when someone claims to be able to teach tones and slaps and what not, and then I watch them play and their technique makes we want to puke...

It seems that a lot of people lack the insight to judge when they have mastered a skill to a point where they legitimately can pass it on, and lack the insight to judge their own limitations. I think a lot of bad teachers happen because of that lack of insight. And, of course, there are also those bad teachers who simply couldn't care less about the tradition, proper technique, or anything else. Again, they are entitled to do what they are doing. But I get upset when those same teachers then say "come and learn traditional West African rhythms"...

There is also the love of teaching. I would teach statistics if someone wanted to learn about it. (Of course, I'd have to learn it first...) I live for that moment of "ah-ha!" when a student first understands a new concept, or in our case, is first able to hold down a part, or play a solo etc...

Yes, that's just amazing. I really get a kick our of the smile on people's faces and their joy when they "get it". For many people who come to our classes, I suspect that is the only time in their lives where they live totally and completely in the moment, paying attention only to what is going on right now, and allow themselves to be happy. I often notice that, after our class, some people walk out with more spring in their step and a more relaxed face than they walked in with. That's what keeps me wanting to teach again and again...

Cheers,

Michi.

[dununbabe]

michi, perhaps you are confusing the drtm logo with the ttm logo?

No, no confusion here. According to the PDF, that logo is for TTM certified teachers. To use the TTM logo, you must be a TTM School Director--certified teachers are specifically prohibited from using the TTM logo.

I would not say that is is "for" TTM Certified teachers, but what it means is, once someone passes the test, they are allowed to use it.

[dununbabe]

My read is that you need to be certified to use the logo.

This is the first time I've heard of that particular use of the logo. I've always assumed as bubudi mentioned that it is for drummers from the Mande. I pretty much assumed that if someone was using that logo, then they were "initiated" to the drum, though that might be taking things a bit far. I have only ever seen that logo with a relatively short list of teachers "signed" under it.

C

Mamady said he wants people who have passed the test to be able to use it. In essence, when you pass the test, it is a promise to uphold the DRTM code.

[michi]

I would not say that is is "for" TTM Certified teachers, but what it means is, once someone passes the test, they are allowed to use it.

OK, thanks for that! I take it that this also means that someone who hasn't passed the test is not allowed to use it?

Cheers,

Michi.

[Carl]

Mamady said he wants people who have passed the test to be able to use it. In essence, when you pass the test, it is a promise to uphold the DRTM code.

Thanks, that is the first time I've heard this from an "official" source. (do you mind me quoting you as an "offical" source)

I had assumed that the expectation would be up uphold the DRTM code, I did not presume to be able to use the logo. Actually, I've been attempting to follow the DRTM code pretty much since I started teaching. (How successful I've been at following the code is up for interpretation...)

C

[dununbabe]

I would not say that is is "for" TTM Certified teachers, but what it means is, once someone passes the test, they are allowed to use it.

OK, thanks for that! I take it that this also means that someone who hasn't passed the test is not allowed to use it?

that is correct!

[dununbabe]

Mamady said he wants people who have passed the test to be able to use it. In essence, when you pass the test, it is a promise to uphold the DRTM code.

Thanks, that is the first time I've heard this from an "official" source. (do you mind me quoting you as an "offical" source)

I had assumed that the expectation would be up uphold the DRTM code, I did not presume to be able to use the logo. Actually, I've been attempting to follow the DRTM code pretty much since I started teaching. (How successful I've been at following the code is up for interpretation...)

C

heh, yes, I would be considered and official source. which is not easy! I have to be in constant contact with MK or Monette about the things I say publicly.
I can tell that people are really interested in upholding the code, its so refreshing to see the dedication to tradition here.