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Total Rhythm™ Drumming Classes
"FINALLY, a place to REALLY LEARN world rhythms and percussion!"
Fall 2010 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.)
 Fall 2010 School of
World Percussion Classes
- Hand-Drumming Level 1: "Yes, I HAVE Rhythm!"
- Hand Drumming Level 2: 10 RHYTHMS PLUS: Beginning Ensemble Class
- Hand Drumming Level 3: (Intermediate Ensemble)
- Hand Drumming Level 4: (Advanced Ensemble)
Hand-Drumming Level 1 Class: "Yes, I HAVE Rhythm!"
Date and Time:
Monday evenings 7:45 - 9:00pm
Starts October 4, ends December 6, 2010
10 Weeks ($295)*
*Price includes full-length instructional DVD
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, and 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. Course fee includes full-length instructional DVD covering rhythms taught! All drums provided (or bring your own).
Pay online with credit card via paypal™
QUESTIONS? Call Robert Wallace, aka, The Drum Guy, 510-482-8005, or
e-mail Robert@TotalRhythm.com
Click Here for Location and Registration Information
Hand Drumming Level 2: 10 RHYTHMS PLUS:
Beginning Ensemble Class
Date and Time:
Tuesday evenings 6:30-7:45pm
Starts October 5, ends December 7, 2010
10 Weeks ($295)
Prerequisites: Successful completion of the Level 1: "Yes I Have Rhythm" course or significant prior drumming experience. See back for location and registration info.
Course Description:
In this dynamic, challenging course, you will BECOME A HAND DRUMMER. You will learn the basic
rhythmic foundation of the worldÕs most popular rhythms: reggae, samba, hiphop, funk, salsa, bellydance, rock Ôn roll, African 6/8 and more. You will also learn beginning ENSEMBLE playing: layering multiple interlocking rhythms in traditional and contemporary arrangements (Afro-Cuban Rumba, Bembe & Iyesa, Brazilian Samba & Afoxe, West African Kuku, American Funk 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.
Pay online with credit card via paypal™
QUESTIONS? Call Robert Wallace, aka, The Drum Guy, 510-482-8005, or
e-mail Robert@TotalRhythm.com
Click Here for Location and Registration Information
Hand Drumming Levels 3 & 4: Intermediate and Advanced Percussion Ensembles
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, Bembe and Iyesa, West African Kuku, Nigerian HighLife, Brazilian Samba and Ijexa, American Funk/Hip-Hop. We will cover the role of the percussionist in a musical ensemble, and the historical and cultural context behind all rhythms. Bring your own drum (any drum) OR use one of ours. We'll make great music together!
Prerequisites for Level 3 (Intermediate Ensemble): Successful completion of Hand-Drumming Level 2: "10 Rhythms Plus" course, or extensive hand-drumming experience. Call Robert to discuss: 510-482-8005.
Level 3: (Intermediate Ensemble) Date and Time:
Monday evenings 6:30-7:45pm
Starts October 4, ends December 6, 2010
10 Weeks ($295)
Pay online with credit card via paypal™
Prerequisites for Level 4 (Advanced Ensemble): This course is by invitation and/or audition ONLY. Absolutely no exceptions. This is for advanced and highly experienced percussionists only. Please call Robert at 510-482-8005 to set up audition or to discuss.
Level 4: (Advanced Ensemble) Date and Time:
Tuesday evenings 7:45-9:30pm
Starts October 5, ends December 7, 2010
10 Weeks ($295)
Pay online with credit card via paypal™
QUESTIONS? Call Robert Wallace, aka, The Drum Guy, 510-482-8005, or
e-mail Robert@TotalRhythm.com
Click Here for Location and Registration Information
LOCATION AND ENROLLMENT INFORMATION FOR ALL CLASSES
Location:
Total Rhythm Studio
1701 Webster St., Alameda, CA 94501 (click for directions)
Plenty of free street parking
To Enroll:
To enroll follow these two easy steps:
1) E-mail Robert@TotalRhythm.com or call (510)482-8005 with class selection(s).
2) Send a check for course fee, payable to "Total Rhythm", to: Total Rhythm,
1701 Webster St., Alameda, CA 94501 (click for directions). (Full course fee due prior to first
session. If this is a hardship for you, please e-mail Robert@TotalRhythm.com
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!
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
Robert@totalrhythm.com to get started. Please see Student Testimonials.
Location:
Total Rhythm Studio
1701 Webster St., Alameda, CA 94501 (click for directions)
or
Robert can travel (with drums) to your location.
Schedule:
Classes scheduled anytime, depending on availability. Please e-mail
Robert@totalrhythm.com 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.
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 | Caxixi ("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. |
| | 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.
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|  | Djembe ("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. |
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| | 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.
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|  | Total 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. |
| | 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.
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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.
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