Product Description

This DVD provides a study of traditional Djembe technique, enabling you to play with confidence and clarity. It includes the following exercises:

- Interactive Ensembles that allow you to hear only the drums you want and silence the rest. For instance, hear all drum parts, Djembe only, or just Dunun. Eight options total!
- Basic Yoga warm-ups chosen especially for Djembe drummers.
- Infinitely looping practice rhythms appropriate for all levels, beginner through advanced.
- Develop bass, tone, and slap in order to speak clearly on the drum.
- Question & Answer exercise designed to get you "out of your head" and into the feel of the music.
- Ghosting exercises in binary & ternary.
- Polyrhythmic & polymetric exercises.
- Complete maintenance & tuning instructions.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #13026 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-01-01
• Formats: AC-3, Color, Digital Sound, Dolby, Full Screen, Subtitled, NTSC
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 100 minutes

About the Actor
Michael Taylor, founder of Holy Goat Percussion, is a percussionist, educator, recording artist, performer and composer specializing in West African Djembe and Dounun drums. He teaches in the Chicago area at the Old Town School of Folk Music, Sherwood Conservatory, Steckman Studio of Music, in the Chicago Public Schools, and privately at his studios in Oak Park, IL. In summer 2003 he released his third CD entitled "Silence in the Rhythmic Soup - Rhythmic Environments for Yoga and Meditation."

Customer Reviews

Holy Goat Hits the Mark (and the drum)!
I recently borrowed a copy of the hand-drumming DVD "Remembering How to Drum" by Holy Goat Percussion ( www.holygoat.com ). Holy Goat was founded by Chicago-based djembe drummer Michael Taylor. It's honestly the best instructional video of it's kind!

The DVD has several different aspects that are all really good:

1) Basic Notes on the drum.
2) Warm-Ups and Exercises
3) Ensemble Rhythms
4) Extras

Each section of the video has great introductory comments. The basics are pretty well explained, but the warm-ups and exercises are first-rate, particularly the yoga stretches. The introductions and explanations are well done - it wasn't the "drum-lingo" you might've expected, nor was it all hocus-pocus new-agey, nor was it chocked full of "honor the traditions of the motherland". It was clear, well-spoken, articulate, and intelligent.

The exercises and basics are pretty well done, but the videography is top-notch! Other videos I've seen offer a "bird's eye" view of the drum, but this one gives you the ability to choose how you want to view the instructor - either head on or "over the shoulder". I prefer the latter because it a) gives you a full-screen shot of what his hands are doing and b) makes it easier to match what his hands are doing rather than trying to switch the mirror image of a "face-to-face" shot. Both views let you see the other option in a small window on the screen. Each offers a text-based notation on screen so that you can "read" what you're playing: "BTTBSS" for "Bass Tone Tone Bass Slap Slap". Of course, with the DVD you can infinitely loop the exercises as well.

The intermediate/advanced techniques moved REALLY fast and this is probably the only section of the video worthy of complaint. There were no explanations, no slow vs. fast mode, and the transitions, while fluid, were just too fast to follow. It would've helped to have seen the patterns on-screen BEFORE he started playing the them. It would've also helped to have breaks between the patterns to allow you to start/stop/loop them. Keep in mind this info was still good, but could've used some flushing out and in-depth coverage.

The ensemble sections were AWESOME! They show two six-part rhythms. They are shot so that the same guy plays each part and comically holds down the whole ensemble with himself! With DVD technology, you can choose what you want to hear: select each part individually, each section (djembes or djuns, the full ensemble, or just the solo.

Extras include on-camera interveiws with Taylor, a promo for "Rhythm", the night club were the instructional portions of the DVD were filmed (www.drumallnight.com), and a 15-minute concert by Taylor's West African drum ensemble. The ensemble in concert clips were hot - really well shot/mixed and great demo of how a full ensemble can rock. It's good inspirational stuff. Very flashy. Also included are drum maintenance and tuning instructions that are FAR better than anything I've seen short of Paulo Mattioli's "Skin It, Tune It, Play It" full-length video on that topic.

The videography and sound quality on this production are top notch! With the DVD, it won't wear out like your favorite VHS tapes so you can watch it, loop it, put it on surround sound, and "SLAP DAT GOAT" 'til the cows come home.... ;^)

If you're going to buy an instructional djembe video, this is the place to start. This is the stuff!

Best Drumming DVD Yet!!!
I have viewed, as well as bought several drumming DVDs in the past year. This DVD is by FAR the best I have seen. I notice new things daily, and continue to grow as a drummer. There is a lot of information about your drum, in this DVD. Including technique, Practice Rhythms that loop untill you are finished, and many many extras. This DVD has shone new light on my otherwise dizmal drumming path. This DVD taught me to hear the music, and follow suit. I watch it daily, as part of my daily routine, and to me, its just as important as Yoga. I cant wait for Taylor to produce more... OH!!! In the Supplemental section check out the Holy Goat Ensamble Performance! WOW!
Blessings to Taylor,
Sean Harmon

Exactly what I was looking for
Very clear. Thorough. "Remembering How to Drum: Djembe Technique" is really well put together. I was looking for a DVD that would lead me through the basics. This one did that, along with reminding me that the urge to drum is innate (hence, the title.) I knew a bit about yoga, proper breathing and arm and finger exercises -- but this DVD showed how they all fit.
Good visuals.
I highly recommend it.

Chicago IL