I was first introduced to (the one and only) Mamady Keita through an instructional DVD by my then drum kit teacher Mr. Joshua Banks from Australia. I thought I first learned how to play the djembe by watching some videos and learning about tone and slap (basic playing techniques of the djembe) but I was fed humble pie when I finally met my future Guru Mamady Keita in 2010 in Singapore. Ever since that day, there was no looking back. I would spend my life learning and spreading authentic awareness of the djembe far and wide. So if you are looking for how to learn African drumming through the djembe, African drumming workshops for schools, djembe playing tips, djembe soloing techniques, look no further… The Taal Inc. School of Rhythm is here to save the day. 

Background

The djembe is a goblet shaped percussion instrument that hails from the Western part of Africa and is synonymous to life in the Mandingue (the region of West Africa that covers countries like Guinea, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Mali, Ghana, Gambia and so on). One tends to forget that Africa is a continent and each country has its own culture and traditions. Unlike common misappropriation of any African music as ‘tribal music’, each ethnic group has a particular instrument, a type of music that is very much similar to (what we consider as) classical music in India. In fact, in West Africa there is no distinction between the two. Their folk music is their classical music. This is a basic difference between Indian and Mandingue culture. Every rhythm, has a name, belongs to a particular ethnic group and accompanies a particular happenstance in life (such as a marriage, a baptism, a full moon celebration, a good harvest and so on… ) Hence, to convey this information authentically there needs to be awareness for both the teachers and students. Try and imagine if a foreigner (with the best of intentions) played a tabla with sticks. That would make an Indian cringe, no? This is why when we learn a new instrument, it is important to learn its heritage and background, master the art before we think of breaking boundaries and exploring new techniques. 

African djembe drumming workshops for schools: let’s learn djembe techniques with Taal Inc. School of Rhythm

I had the good fortune of learning with the Late. Grandmaster Mamady Keits since 2010 and I remember every moment with him very fondly. He lives, breathes and radiates djembe. He was truly an encyclopedia of the djembe and I am very proud to represent his international djembe academy (Tam Tam Mandingue Djembe Academy) in India. With the mission of spreading djembe in an authentic, detailed and fun way, I am happy to announce monthly intensive djembe workshops where you can access and start or continue your journey with learning djembe drumming techniques, djembe soloing techniques and so on… The aim is to move these djembe workshops around the city Pune and also take it to new cities in the country. This way more people will be able to start or continue to learn African drumming through the djembe. After the intensive djembe workshop of djembe initiation as it would be called traditionally, the student can get in touch with us to avail of our hybrid (online & offline) ongoing djembe learning option. Here we will send you all the material (djembe, books, access to online material) to your residence and you can learn at your own time at the comfort of your own homes. In these videos you will find detailed theoretical (and cultural) information, practical demonstrations, djembe playing tips, open tone playing technique, djembe soloing techniques, slap playing technique and a lot more through bonus videos… 

I truly hope to be able to meet as many students as possible through these next series of Taal Inc. Djembe Workshops and that you start learning djembe, the traditional way and the Mamady Keita way…! 

Here’s a detailed list of upcoming djembe drumming workshops with Taal Inc. where you will get to learn from Varun Venkit and also (as a special feature) Kelvin Kew from Singapore. Kelvin is also the Vice President of the Tam Tam Mandingue International Djembe Academy: 

1. Traditional West African Djembe Workshop @ MILLS SOCIAL, PUNE BY VARUN VENKIT


When: 30.9.2023
Time: 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Where: MILLS SOCIAL, PUNE (https://goo.gl/maps/h2XdGwdxr6uffqZm9)
Investment: Inr 2000
Registration form: https://forms.gle/gj6GxrCvQfwD2H1x9

2. Traditional West African Djembe Workshop @ ARTS IN MOTION, SION, MUMBAI BY KELVIN KEW (SINGAPORE) + VARUN VENKIT (INDIA)


When: 28.10.2023
Time: 2:00pm – 6:00pm
Where: ARTS IN MOTION, SION, MUMBAI (https://goo.gl/maps/DEciqTKrvCzxp2me7)
Investment: Inr 3500
Registration form: https://forms.gle/gj6GxrCvQfwD2H1x9

3. Traditional West African Djembe Workshop @ ARTSPHERE, PUNE KELVIN KEW (SINGAPORE) + VARUN VENKIT (INDIA)


When: 29.10.2023
Time: 3:00pm – 7:00pm
Where: ARTSPHERE, PUNE (location: https://goo.gl/maps/x3SvFRRwUhuPwer37)
Investment: Inr 3500
Registration form: https://forms.gle/gj6GxrCvQfwD2H1x9

4. Traditional West African Djembe Workshop @ LILANOOR CENTER FOR VOICE & MUSIC, DELHI KELVIN KEW (SINGAPORE) + VARUN VENKIT (INDIA)


When: 4.11.2023
Time: 3:00pm – 7:00pm
Where: LILANOOR CENTER FOR VOICE & MUSIC, DELHI (location: https://goo.gl/maps/VnhRE2b7jH2E2AqcA)
Investment: Inr 3500
Registration form: https://forms.gle/gj6GxrCvQfwD2H1x9

5. Traditional West African Djembe Workshop @ SHOONYA CENTRE FOR ART AND SOMATIC PRACTICES, BANGALORE KELVIN KEW (SINGAPORE) + VARUN VENKIT (INDIA)


When: 5.11.2023
Time: 2:00pm – 6:00pm
Where: SHOONYA CENTRE FOR ART AND SOMATIC PRACTICES, BANGALORE (location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/2gCtotxP8G2dmFkr5)
Investment: Inr 4500
Registration form: https://forms.gle/gj6GxrCvQfwD2H1x9

Come. Drum. Be One. 
Varun Venkit
Team Taal Inc.