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Teaching methods
When you start attending workshops or lessons with
African teachers, you will quickly come to realise that the african
teaching method is one hundred percent different from our western teaching
method.
Do as I say
In the west we explain things, and tell people what to do. "Do as I say". First you will be given a mental picture, and then you are supposed to create that in reality. Don't look at the teacher, because he may
be doing it wrong too, even if he knows how to do it right. The teacherwill also notice it if you do things
wrong, and will criticise you
for that, and explain how to do it right the next time. Words words words.
Do as I do
The african method is the exact opposite. "Do as I do". The teacher will play for you. You are supposed to look and listen, to copy. You
will not be given an explanation. Instead, you are supposed to become
familiar with the music or the rhythm via repetition. Internalise theteacher's
playing,
not his explanations. Do not wait for words or explanations,
you won't get them. The teacher will notice it if you do things
right
and
will praise you for that.
What works when?
The african teaching method works if you have plenty of time and if you have been raised within
the culture and have a wealth of experience so you can "place" new things the teacher
shows you, within a frame of reference. For example, if you have celebrated a harvest festival
every year from your 2nd birthday to your 12th, where a single rhythm is played for three days,
then yes, you will know that rhythm, and all its variations and solo patterns quite well. And the song. And the dance.
The african teaching method works quite well
if you have been trained to observe and to learn by observation and copying.
However, westerners do not know how to learn by
observation. And we have no cultural background in percussive music. And
we have no clue how to remember a rhythmic pattern. And we are not familiar with the african off-beat patterns. We are raised to use a
different type of teaching method altogether. But most importantly, we
don't have
time. We expect to learn an instrument in one or two
years with one lesson, and a few hours of practice, per week. When it may
take a few
years
of
lessons and a few hours of practice
per day. But hey, who has got
that amount of time in the west?
African teachers
If you follow lessons with african teachers, or workshops, you will
quickly realise all of the above. You will need to develop your skills of
observation. You will need to learn to look and listen. You will need to
learn to remember rhythms and percussive melodies. This can be quite hardwork!
African teachers who have adapted to our western
mode of working, may introduce "The One", which is our concept of a first beat in a rhythm.
And they may use a "Metronome", for example bells on their feet, to tap the beat. And they may use
explanations far more.
Western teachers
Western teachers usually have no problem switching back to our normal western teaching method of
explaining
things first, and then giving it
a try. They have no problems with written notation because they know we
westerners cannot remember rhythms.
My preference
My personal preference is to do both. Start with a western teacher first, because that way
you can concentrate on playing the djembe, instead of feeling lost because you have no clue
how the teacher is trying to teach you, when "all" he does is play and you copy.
But as soon as you can, go and follow workshops with proper african teachers as well. Because
eventually you will need to be able to follow their teaching method, if you want to progress.
And it is important to be exposed to their playing,
and their culture. You need to learn how the djembe is played
professionally, and for that you need exposure to african players. And
this is not meant to belittle the western teachers, because they have muchto offer, but few of them can play as well as african teachers.
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Enjoy, and Happy Drumming!