Drumming for Concepts

Drumming for Concepts, developed by Kofi Dennis, is congruent with state and national music standards of learning that foster the development of various Elementary musical experiences within the concepts of music in general. 

This means that students will:

1. Work to enhance their musical capabilities and independence, and
2. Nurture the music within oneself, one's community and the world.

The djembe drum would be the primary instrument for the drumming for concepts. 

Over the course of the year,  students will:

1. Learn basic hand and finger placements on the drum, as well as the 3 main sounds of the djembe. 
2. Be introduced to the culture of West African poly-rhythms; which involves a whole brain/body rhythmic movements.  This includes various levels of patterning and scaffolding, call and response, plus an attention to the tonal differences of the sounds.
3. Have a hands-on experience with all the other accompanied accessories of the djembe, the set of dunduns (kenkeni, sangban, and dunuba), bells, shekeres, balafons and the "talking drums."
4. Finally, the students will develop a djembe-drumming-storytelling performance to share.