- Tue Jul 17, 2012 11:21 pm
#27803

However, some caveats do apply, in my opinion. For one, you should have technique that's been OK'd by your teacher. Being able to play clear tones and slaps and with correct technique is a must, in my opinion. People will imitate what you do, so you should do it right.
Also, you should have enough experience to spot when someone plays with poor technique, such as wrong angle of attack, hands too far in or out, etc. That's a must too: if you can't correct your student's technique, you may be setting them up for a doomed future on the djembe, as well as exposing them to potential injury.
Finally, if you claim to be teaching traditional rhythms, you have a moral obligation to actually know what you teach. This means that you can play the rhythm with the correct feel, that you accurately teach the various parts, and that you know at least the basics about the rhythm you are teaching (who, where, and purpose).
Cheers,
Michi.
Anyone can teach anything on the djembe and is entitled to do so. For children, I imagine that the emphasis would be on fun and play much more than on teaching traditional rhythms. I definitely don't think that you have to be a master before you can legitimately teach children (or adults). Moreover, teaching requires skills that a master drummer won't necessarily have. I know of a number of drummers who are at least very close to master level but who can't teach to save their lives. They are walking didactic disastersAny thoughts? Are there different qualifications based on the group of "students" that you are working with, or should any given individual be a master drummer before working as a drum teacher in any form?

However, some caveats do apply, in my opinion. For one, you should have technique that's been OK'd by your teacher. Being able to play clear tones and slaps and with correct technique is a must, in my opinion. People will imitate what you do, so you should do it right.
Also, you should have enough experience to spot when someone plays with poor technique, such as wrong angle of attack, hands too far in or out, etc. That's a must too: if you can't correct your student's technique, you may be setting them up for a doomed future on the djembe, as well as exposing them to potential injury.
Finally, if you claim to be teaching traditional rhythms, you have a moral obligation to actually know what you teach. This means that you can play the rhythm with the correct feel, that you accurately teach the various parts, and that you know at least the basics about the rhythm you are teaching (who, where, and purpose).
Cheers,
Michi.