Hands On Handbooks and CDs are a great way to learn about rhythm!
Each Handbook incorporates:
rhythms derived from one region of the world
easy-to-understand instructions how to play a hand drum
discussion about particular aspects of each rhythm.
Hands On Handbooks are unique in their hand-drawn presentation, which gives vitality and interest to the content of the book. The CD that accompanies each book enables the learner to play along with the tutor. Handbooks are also tailored to Right and Left-handed players!
Hands On Handbooks and CDs are designed to appeal to people learning to play hand drums, and also to other musicians, dancers, singers, or anyone who want to learn more about rhythm.
The books are arranged by regional genre, and by difficulty, so that there is material of interest to the beginner, confident, and advanced player. The levels of sophistication in the design also enables you to progress from one level to the next, as you learn more!
HANDS ON HANDBOOKS AND CDS
| GENRE | LEVELS | RIGHT OR LEFT HANDS | REGION OF WORLD | DRUMS |
|
RHYTHM FOUNDATION |
1 | 2 | 3 |
RIGHT |
LEFT | West Africa | Djembe |
|
TRANCE DANCE |
1 | 2 | 3 | RIGHT | LEFT | the Caribbean | Conga |
|
MIDDLE EASTERN |
1 | 2 | 3 | RIGHT | LEFT | the Middle East | Darabuka, Dumbeck |
|
POLYRHYTHM |
1 | 2 | 3 | either | either | the Pacific | Any |
|
EASTERN EUROPE |
1 | 2 | 3 | either | either | Eastern Europe | Several |
| PLAYING TECHNIQUE | 1 | either | either | West Africa & the Caribbean | Djembe & Conga | ||
| BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO RHYTHM | 1 | either | either | Multi | Any |
How to sit and hold a typical hand-drum, to be played with both hands equally.
How to play the strokes Bass, Tone and Rim, which are useful on most hand-drums.
How to play fundamental Polyrhythms, which get your hands moving symmetrically and improve your timing.
Beginner's Guide to Rhythm is 20pg and includes a play-along CD.
featuring rhythms derived from West African drum traditions
recommended for Djembe drums
RHYTHM FOUNDATION 1
RF1 is an introduction to playing rhythm on a hand-drum.
This Handbook explores:
Four, multi-part rhythms: Kpanlogo, Kuku, Dununba and Yankadi.
Each of these rhythms has a distictive 'feel': march, swing, trance and hop.
This handbook introduces you to the pulse that underlies a rhythm,
and explains how the beats layer over this pulse to create the rhythm.
Basic hand-drum strokes (Bass, Tone and Rim) are demonstrated.
The difference between rhythms 'in threes' and 'in fours' is shown, and this leads into more sophisticated understanding of time-signatures in RF2 and RF3.
Ideal for the beginner, Rhythm Foundation 1 does not require music experience. Rhythms are written using a grid system, which does not involve musical score!
Rhythm Foundation 1 is 26 pg and includes a play-along CD. preview purchase
RHYTHM FOUNDATION 2
RF2 builds on the knowledge of Rhythm Foundation 1. It contains more complex versions of the rhythms Kpanlogo and Dununba, and the new rhythms Bintin and Kaki Lambe.
It expands on the themes:
How to make Kpanlogo 'funky' using syncopation, and variations on a theme.
the importance of space in a rhythmic pattern,
Interplay between rhythms,
the dynamic mathematics of 12/8,
playing at speed, and more!
Slap strokes and Ghost Notes are introduced, and their use discussed.
Rhythm Foundation 2 is suitable for confident players of hand-drums, and those with some rhythm understanding. RF1 is recommended as a prerequisite book. Readers of this book will also find the Hands On Playing Technique Handbook relevant.
Rhythm Foundation 2 is 32 pg and includes a play-along CD. preview purchase
RF3 is a challenging text for the confident player, and those who wish to extend their understanding of rhythm. It features advanced interpretations of the rhythms Gamamla, Adowa, Koreduga and Kassa.
This Handbook explores:
playing two rhythms simultaneously,
more ways of working with 12/8,
the 9/8 time signature,
stabilisation and destabilisation of rhythm,
understanding rhythm using phrasing,
improvisation by adding or removing beats, and by playing different patterns.
Flam strokes are introduced.
Rhythm Foundation 1 and 2 are recommended as prerequisite reading, as RF3 extends the information in those books.
Rhythm Foundation 3 is 34 pg and includes a play-along CD. preview
TD1 is an introduction to rhythms derived from Caribbean cultures of Cuba and Haiti: the dances Bolero and Coy, and the trance rhythm Yenvalou.
Trance Dance 1 demonstrates the basic strokes: Bass, Tone and Rim.
This handbook illustrates the underlying pulse of a rhythm and how the beats layer over this pulse to create the rhythm.
The difference between rhythms 'in three' and 'in fours' is shown.
The structures characteristic of Trance rhythms are explored.
Trance Dance 1 is suitable for the beginner, as it does not assume any musical experience.
Trance Dance 1 is 26 pg and includes a play-along CD. preview purchase
Eastern European rhythms are particularly interesting in that they often feature time signatures rare in Weatern music traditions, such as 5/4 and 10/8, 7/8, 11/8 and others. Such rhythms are based around distinctive patterns of accented beats, which you can easily learn!
In developent.
Polyrhythm 1 is a great handbook for absolute beginners to the drum. Polyrhythms get both hands moving equally, improving co-ordination and confidence. They introduce the basic structure of rhythm as a repeating pattern of sounds. Fun to play in drum circles, Polyrhythms are useful for playing as accompaniments to live music too!
In development.
The Playing Technique book contains two sections which explore African and Caribbean hand drum styles.
The book also presents Bass Drums, Bells, Shakers and other percussion instruments from Africa and the Caribbean.
This handbook is a technique instruction manual, giving the nitty-gritty of playing method.
It complements other Hands On Handbooks, in particular the Rhythm Foundation and Trance Dance series.
The Playing Technique handbook is a substantial 51 pgs and includes a CD demonstrating each of the techniques in the book. It is intended to be read by people who really want to develop their playing style. purchase