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Robert Wallace
All classes taught by Robert Wallace, unless otherwise noted. Click here to see Robert's bio and background.
Total Rhythm™ Drumming Classes

"FINALLY, a place to REALLY LEARN world rhythms and percussion!"

Fall 2008 School of World Percussion Classes
Private and Semi-Private Lessons
Specific Instruments
Student Testimonials
Robert's Teaching Philosophy
The Relevance of Rhythm: Why Drum?

Drum and Percussion Workshops

It's Time for More Rhythm in your Life!

Have you always been attracted to rhythm and drums but don't know how to get started? The time for more rhythm in your life is NOW!

Robert teaches the joy of rhythm - you'll learn rhythms from Africa, Brazil, the USA and the Caribbean. Most of all, you'll learn to relax and FEEL RHYTHM IN YOUR BODY and then USE IT to enhance your life.

Total Rhythm has a variety of programs to get you into the flow of rhythm. Robert offers Group Classes, Private and Semi-Private Lessons, Fitness Classes, and instruction on Specific Instruments

- No prior experience necessary.
- All percussion instruments provided - all you need to bring is the desire to learn!
- All classes offered at Robert's beautiful studio in the Oakland hills. (Robert can travel to your site as well.)



Conga DrumsFall 2008 School of World Percussion Classes

  1. Hand-Drumming Level 1 Class: "Yes, I HAVE Rhythm!"

  2. Hand Drumming Level 1-2: 10 RHYTHMS:
    The 10 Most Popular World Rhythms You Can Play on Any Drum!


  3. Hand Drumming Level 3: PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE: Unity Through the Beat.


Hand-Drumming Level 1 Class: "Yes, I HAVE Rhythm!"

Date and Time:
Monday eves. 6:30-7:45pm
Starts October 6, ends December 8, 2008
Ten Weeks ($295)

Prerequisites: None

Course Description: Finally, a course specifically designed for people who have always been attracted to rhythm but not sure how to get started. In this introductory, hands-on course you will learn hand-drumming basics: proper body and hand positioning, techniques for creating drum notes, how to BREATH, RELAX, and enjoy the SOUL of RHYTHM. You will discover the Power of your Natural Rhythm! We will work with rhythms from Africa, Brazil and the USA. No prior experience needed. All drums provided, or bring your own. This course includes a MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE: If it doesn't change your life in some meaningful way, you will receive a full refund.

Pay online with credit card via paypal™


QUESTIONS? Call Robert Wallace, aka, The Drum Guy, 510-482-8005, or e-mail

Click Here for Location and Registration Information



Hand Drumming Level 1-2: 10 RHYTHMS:
The 10 Most Popular World Rhythms You Can Play on Any Drum!


Date and Time:
Tuesday eves. 6:30-7:45pm
Starts October 7, ends December 16, 2008
11 Weeks ($335)*
(*Price Includes full-length Instructional DVD covering all 10 Rhythms.)

Prerequisites: None (however, if you have never touched a drum before, it is recommended that you begin with the Level 1 course, see above).

Course Description: In this dynamic, hands-on course, you will BECOME A HAND DRUMMER. You will learn the basic rhythmic foundation of the world?s most popular rhythms: reggae, samba, hiphop, funk, salsa, bellydance, rock n roll, Afro and more. At the end of this course you will be able to competently play hand drums in virtually ANY musical setting. You will learn to recognize and differentiate various rhythms and musical styles, you will learn how to create proper tones from your drum, you will learn to FEEL rhythmic syncopation in your body and discover how to express it musically.

Bring your own drum (any drum) OR use one of ours (over 10 drums to choose from). *Includes full-length instructional DVD covering all 10 rhythms.

Pay online with credit card via paypal™


QUESTIONS? Call Robert Wallace, aka, The Drum Guy, 510-482-8005, or e-mail

Click Here for Location and Registration Information



Ensemble Hand Drumming Level 3: PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE: Unity Through the Beat.

Date and Time:
Section 1:
Monday eves. 7:45-9:00pm
Starts October 6, ends December 15, 2008
11 Weeks ($335)*
(*Price includes full-length Instructional DVD covering 10 Most Popular World Rhythms.)

Pay online with credit card via paypal™


Section 2:
Tues. eves. 7:45 - 9:00pm
Starts October 7, ends December 16, 2008
11 Weeks ($335)*
(*Price includes full-length Instructional DVD covering 10 Most Popular World Rhythms.)

Pay online with credit card via paypal™


Prerequisites: Successful completion of Hand-Drumming Level 1-2 "10 Rhythms" course, or significant hand-drumming experience. Call Robert to discuss: 510-482-8005.

Course Description: Learn to play in a Percussion Ensemble! Using the 10 Most Popular World Rhythms as our base, each student will learn complimentary rhythms on drums and supporting percussion (bells, shakers, caxixi, etc.). Learn how to improvise and be creative in the context of the rhythm. Ensemble rhythms we will work with: Afro-Cuban Rumba & Mozambique, West African Kuku, American Funk and Brazilian Samba. We will cover the role of the percussionist in a musical ensemble, and the historical and cultural context behind all rhythms. We'll make great music together!

Bring your own drum (any drum) OR use one of ours (over 10 drums to choose from).

QUESTIONS? Call Robert Wallace, aka, The Drum Guy, 510-482-8005, or e-mail

Click Here for Location and Registration Information


LOCATION AND ENROLLMENT INFORMATION FOR ALL CLASSES

Location:
Total Rhythm Studio
3001 Jordan Road, Oakland, CA 94602
Near Holy Names College in Redwood Heights, Oakland
Plenty of free street parking

To Enroll:
To enroll follow these two easy steps:
1) E-mail or call (510)482-8005 with class selection(s).
2) Send a check for course fee, payable to "Total Rhythm", to: Total Rhythm, 3001 Jordan Road, Oakland, CA, 94602. (Full course fee due prior to first session. If this is a hardship for you, please e-mail and we can work something out.)

OR Pay Online with Paypal

ALL CLASSES TAUGHT BY ROBERT WALLACE UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

You have Rhythm. Robert can Bring it Out!



Total Rhythm! Private and Semi-Private Lessons (up to 3 students)

Rhythm is a natural life-force that we all share. Tapping into this universal force feels good! Start with congas, djembe, bells, shakers, or the Total Rhythm Standing Drum and feel the flow of rhythm in your body. (Or, if you prefer, bring your own percussion instrument.)

Robert's classes emphasize FUN and delve into the SPIRIT of RHYTHM. No prior experience necessary. All percussion instruments provided. If you want to share lessons, Robert can pair you with an appropriate student. E-mail to get started. Please see Student Testimonials.

Location:
Total Rhythm Studio
3001 Jordan Road, Oakland, CA 94602
Near Holy Names College in Redwood Heights, Oakland
or
Robert can travel (with drums) to your location.

Schedule:
Classes scheduled anytime, depending on availability. Please e-mail with three proposed class dates and times.

Fees:
  • Private lesson $70/hour, $100/1.5 hours.
  • Two Persons: $100/hour, $150/1.5 hours.

Specific Instruments

If you want to learn a specific instrument, Total Rhythm offers training from absolute beginner to professional level in the following instruments: congas, shekerai, djembe, pandeiro, caxixi, agogo bells. Click for Schedule, Fees, and our teaching philosophy.

Agogo ("Ah-go-go") Bells 2-headed metal bell from Brazil (with African origins). Lesson plan designed to teach student how to move feet, play simple rhythms from Brazil, Africa and the USA. More advanced lessons incorporate soloing on the Agogo and adding songs/chants. Agogo Bells
Total Rhythm!
CaxixiCaxixi ("Cah-she-she") - Woven baskets made from gourd-shell bottoms and bamboo. Filled with dried beans or beads. From Brazil (with African origins). Lesson plan teaches movement with the caxixi, ability to play syncopated rhythms and sing simple melodies. Advanced lessons teach hand independence, soloing on the caxixi and specific rhythms: partito alto, samba, baioa, etc.
Total Rhythm!
Conga Drums - Wooden drums with cowhide skins. Played sitting down or on stands. Originated in Cuba. Learn basic hand technique: open tones, slaps, bass and muff. Develop hand and foot independence. Learn rhythms from Cuba, Brazil, Africa and USA, ranging from simple to very advanced rhythms on multiple congas. Conga Drums
Total Rhythm!
DjembeDjembe ("Jem-bay") - Tapered drum from Africa. Play seated or standing (with strap). Learn basic hand technique: open tones, bass, slap, closed slap. Learn to move and sing while you play. Learn to be musical with the djembe. Work with rhythms from Guinea, Senegal, the Congo and the USA.
Total Rhythm!
Pandeiro ("Pan-dare-oh") - Small, circular hand-held frame drum with goat skin head and jingles. From Brazil. Learn basic hand technique: how to hold the pandeiro and play open, slap, muted and grace tones, finger rolls. Learn to move your body, play pandeiro and sing. Work with rhythms from Brazil: samba, partito alto, baiao, American funk and hip-hop. Pandeiro
Total Rhythm!
Total Rhythm DrumTotal Rhythm Drum - Standing wooden drum with goat-skin head designed exclusively for Total Rhythm™. This beautiful drum does not require a stand or strap and permits free and complete movement around the drum! Learn the basic hand technique: bass, open and slap tones. Learn how to move and play rhythm from Africa, Brazil, Trinidad, Cuba and the USA.
Total Rhythm!
Shekerai ("Shek-er-aye") - Dried gourd with beaded skirt. From Cuba (with African origins). The shekerai is held in the hands much like a pitcher of water. It is moved back and forth between the hands to play rhythms. Learn the basic shekerai sounds and how to be comfortable moving your body, playing shekerai, and singing simple melodies. Work with rhythms from Cuba, Africa, Brazil, and America. Shekerai

Student Testimonials

"The Total Rhythm classes help me unlock my basic, internal rhythm. The combination of movement, drumming, and music-making establishes a wonderful mind-body balance that carries over into other aspects of my life. Thank you." --Aaron Thornton, Optometrist, Oakland, CA.

"Total Rhythm's unique teaching approach - combining percussion, movement and voice - takes on a life of it's own. It's a moving meditation." --Suzanne Hayne, Mother of twins, Oakland, CA.

"Through Total Rhythm's classes I have learned to be comfortable moving my body and being musical at the same time. I leave the classes balanced, grounded, AND energized." --Peter Balogh, Attorney, San Francisco, CA.


Robert's Teaching Philosophy

Robert's teaching philosophy is simple: Everyone has rhythm! Absolutely everyone. There are NO EXCEPIONS TO THIS! None. Zero. Zip. (Think of your heartbeat, your breath, your dream cycles.)

Robert's vocation is to help people tap into their natural, internal rhythm and then use it to enrich their lives. For a long time Americans have been separated from rhythm. It's time to reconnect! The key is to get rhythm inside your body. Movement, stretching and plenty of fun are incorporated in all classes.

Robert warmly accepts each student exactly where he or she is in terms of their development and experience with rhythm, and then provides the tools to create a deeper, more personal relationship with rhythm, percussion, and movement. Absolutely no prior music, drumming, or movement experience needed.



You have rhythm! Robert can bring it out.














Copyright Total Rhythm 2004-2008. Total Rhythm is a Trademark owned by Robert Wallace. All rights reserved.

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