African drum courses in Algeciras

Algeciras's Department of Youth has announced a three-month course in African percussion featuring the djembe and dunun drums (see info below). The free course is open to 15 students, who will be expected to attend two lessons a week under the direction of Álvaro Darío García Portillo, musician and teacher. As in previous such courses (e.g. salsa dancing and 'exotic cookery') the idea is to develop concentration and a sense of rhythm, group work and 'interculturality'. For more information, such as when classes begin, contact the Department of Youth on 956 660 762. (In case anyone is wondering about this item, Prospero loves African drums and has a djembe at home with which he drowns out noisy neighbours and frightens domestic animals...)>

DUNUN

A double headed barrel shaped drum with cow skin. These are bass drums and are played vertically with sticks or horizontally with a single stick, the other hand playing an attached bell. They are traditionally (most often) played as a set of three and are called the dununba (or doun-doun) (large), sangban (medium) and kenkeni (small). One person may play a set or each drum may be played individually. Traditionally accompanies the djembe to provide the bass and foundation of the rhythm. This form originated amongst the Malinke people of central West Africa.

DJEMBE

Goblet shaped hand drum with goat skin (sometimes thin cow or antelope). Without a doubt the most popular of the African drums. This drum originates with the West African Malinke people who are spread across Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Cote D’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Gambia and Senegal. Played well it has a wide range of sounds and is a powerful instrument. It is traditionally supported by the dunun bass drums and provides both rhythmic accompaniment and the melodic solo for the dancers.