Product Description

Product Description

Rhythmic Foundation is just as much about learning to play music with other people as it is about African Drumming. The content of the DVD caters to beginners with the hopes of giving them a true foundation in understanding how rhythm works, basic djembe, djun-djun and bell technique and how they can actively participate with others in drumming. Jim uses simple traditional songs from West and Central Africa because of their effectiveness in helping students learn these basic concepts.

For the beginning drummer, lifelong player, teacher, or music enthusiast, this DVD is for you! Over 2 hours of enjoyable, easy to follow step-by-step play-along lessons.

With this DVD you will learn:

Extensive technique for djembe, djun-djuns and bell. Learn proper hand positions, tones, and effective ways to make your drum speak
8 Traditional West and Central African drum rhythms: Fanga, Mutwashi, Oke, Osain, Mapasa, Shiko, Nyabinghi, Heartbeat, and Hi-Life.
Rhythmic Ear Training. Develop the capacity to hear and listen and respond to rhythm on a deeper level.
Rhythms for deep relaxation. Learn to use your drum to help release stress.
How to create your own music with your drum. Have fun jamming along with Jim and his friends.
Extensive dexterity, speed, and power exercises. Build your chops, confidence and ability to solo.
Also included:

Printable PDF lessons.
Practice regimens.
Full access to a complete library of rhythm resources.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #22503 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-11-12
• Rating: G (General Audience)
• Format: NTSC
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 120 minutes

Review
"As a long-time music teacher of drumming and world music, I have to say that Rhythmic Foundation is the best instructional/play-along resource that I have ever experienced! ...Jim is a master teacher with a unique talent for demonstrating technique, dexterity, coordination, and how to get the best sound out of your drum. The dual visual perspectives (straight on and a bird's eye view) are invaluable. This DVD will enable you to significantly improve your playing, regardless of your level of experience."

- --Elizabeth Wilson, Boys Latin School of Baltimore, MD

About the Actor
About the Actor

From 1990-2005 Jim Donovan was a founding member and driving force of the multi-platinum band Rusted Root. Jim made countless trips around North America and abroad with the popular jam-band, sharing the stage with rock & roll legends such as Santana, Page and Plant, Sting, Dave Matthews Band, The Allman Brothers, Sheryl Crowe, The Grateful Dead, and many others.

Recently named "2008 Drum Circle Facilitator of the Year" by the readers of Drum! Magazine.
Donovan studied and played African rhythms with various master drummers such as Congolese master drummer Elie Kihonia, Mamady Keita and Mbemba Bangoura. He also studied African Music with noted scholar Kwabena Nketia from Ghana.

He has researched traditional African music for over 20 years via field recordings, and has continuously integrated his findings into all his music both as a solo recording artist and with Rusted Root.

As a solo artist, Donovan has released 5 highly acclaimed solo CD's as well as 4 instructional drumming CD's. His newest releases include Drum the Ecstatic International, The Yoga of Drum and Chant, and a hand drumming instructional series called Rhythmic Foundation: Volumes 1 and 2.

Fulfilling his desire to share the power of rhythm first hand, Donovan built a series of educational drumming workshop programs that he teaches across the US and Europe at universities, festivals, schools, corporations, and specialty venues. He is a full time instructor of music at Saint Francis University in Loretto, PA, the current director of the Saint Francis University World Drumming Ensemble. and the director of The annual Rhythm Renewal Drumming Retreat.

Donovan is also a featured monthly columnist in Drum! Magazine.

About the Director
About the Actor

From 1990-2005 Jim Donovan was a founding member and driving force of the multi-platinum band Rusted Root. Jim made countless trips around North America and abroad with the popular jam-band, sharing the stage with rock & roll legends such as Santana, Page and Plant, Sting, Dave Matthews Band, The Allman Brothers, Sheryl Crowe, The Grateful Dead, and many others.

Recently named "2008 Drum Circle Facilitator of the Year" by the readers of Drum! Magazine.
Donovan studied and played African rhythms with various master drummers such as Congolese master drummer Elie Kihonia, Mamady Keita and Mbemba Bangoura. He also studied African Music with noted scholar Kwabena Nketia from Ghana.

He has researched traditional African music for over 20 years via field recordings, and has continuously integrated his findings into all his music both as a solo recording artist and with Rusted Root.

As a solo artist, Donovan has released 5 highly acclaimed solo CD's as well as 4 instructional drumming CD's. His newest releases include Drum the Ecstatic International, The Yoga of Drum and Chant, and a hand drumming instructional series called Rhythmic Foundation: Volumes 1 and 2.

Fulfilling his desire to share the power of rhythm first hand, Donovan built a series of educational drumming workshop programs that he teaches across the US and Europe at universities, festivals, schools, corporations, and specialty venues. He is a full time instructor of music at Saint Francis University in Loretto, PA, the current director of the Saint Francis University World Drumming Ensemble. and the director of The annual Rhythm Renewal Drumming Retreat.

Donovan is also a featured monthly columnist in Drum! Magazine.

Customer Reviews

Learn, play and expand upon your djembe drumming abilities!
If you haven't had the opportunity to attend one of Jim Donovan's workshops, or even if you have, this DVD will most certainly fulfill your desire to learn, play and expand upon your djembe drumming abilities.

The first section is on technique; where Jim walks you through how to properly sit and hold your drum, and how to make the three basic djembe sounds; bass, tone and slap. The slap is a challenging sound to create, as the hand positioning takes practice to effortlessly achieve the desired sound. I'm pleased to see it included here, as many instructors will leave it for more advanced teachings and it's excellent to have this visual reminder of how it should be performed.

Traditional drum ensembles will often include a set of bass drums, or "djun-djuns" as well as a bell or "toke" player. Jim takes the time to introduce and demonstrate each of these instruments.

The next section on the disc is dedicated to learning various drum rhythms. The first of these rhythms are traditional pieces, each broken down part by part and filmed from above for a bird's eye view of how to play them. After each rhythm is demonstrated, a play along section is included- where Jim plays one part of the rhythm, then instructs you to play along with another. Wonderful.

The second set of rhythms are for relaxation, and of all of the rhythms taught on the DVD, my favorite is that of the "One Drum" exercise. The exercise is simple but quite powerful- this one always stays with me long after I've left one of Jim's workshops. A repetitious pattern combined with conscious breathing allows the left/right halves of your brain to synchronize and helps you to achieve presence, or more simply, to be "in the moment." (This is also known as "entrainment") When this exercise is performed with at least one other person, it sounds like you are playing "One Drum." Played in a room filled with 75 people, it's absolutely mind blowing.

In a world where multi-tasking is expected, presence is its polar opposite. Being able to focus your attention on just one thing, allows you to perform that one task to your fullest potential. I had no idea that a attending a "drumming" workshop would provide such valuable tools to carry over into my day to day life.

The last selection of rhythms are for creative exploration. In this section, the play along section isn't just with Jim, but with a small ensemble which includes a djun-djun player, a person playing the toke bell, and one additional djembe player. Good stuff. It gives you the sense of what you might expect to see at a drum circle or similar event.

The third main section of the disc contains various training exercises. The first is a segment on rhythmic ear training, a follow the leader type of exercise teaching you to play what you hear. As an added challenge, try doing the exercise with your eyes closed. If you ever attend a drum circle, or other community drumming event, this exercise will greatly enhance your ability to follow what other people are playing & to be able to play along with them. A full section of exercises is also included to increase your speed, accuracy & dexterity. (Paradiddles & triplets)

In a nutshell, this DVD is a bargain for all of the material it contains. No matter your skill level, you will most likely find Jim's teaching style to be personable, informative, and a bit humorous at times. The material found within is both simple enough for a beginner to grasp as well as challenging enough for the more advanced player.

And if you have the opportunity to take one of Jim's workshops, by all means - do it!

Drum on!

absolute 'must' for drumming enthusiasts
as explained in the editorial review, this DVD is for ANYONE interested in drumming....it is filled with information that would appeal to all students, from beginners to established players...the DVD could not be anymore 'user friendly'...easy instructions allow one to travel freely thru the contents with many options for users...it would be wise to first watch the DVD in entirety to explore the wealth of material contained...
a starting point could then be established for the experience the DVD provides...personally, i chose to start in the techniques section to remind myself the proper postions and form necessary in hand drumming....the overhead views are excellent and for someone who doesn't get to drum as often as i would like, this refresher is perfect in establishing proper style and sound, etc...there are many excercises to help with speed and power and sections that allow individuals to jam along with those playing on the DVD....i also enjoy listening to the different selections chosen by the author from traditional pieces and instructions on how to play them...these are just a few of the features available!!! i could not speak more highly of this video....it is truly all that is advertised...i cannot recommend it highly enough!!!

YOU MUST HAVE THIS DVD!

As a long-time music teacher of drumming and world music, I have to say that this DVD is the best instructional/play along resource that I have ever experienced! You will not believe how much valuable material is packed into each of the six easy to navigate sections. Jim is a master teacher with a unique talent for demonstrating technique, dexterity, coordination, and how to get the best sound out of your drum. The dual visual perspectives (straight on and a bird's eye view) are invaluable. This DVD will enable you to significantly improve your playing, no matter what your level of experience is.
The contents include:
1>Playing techniques for djembe, toke (bell), and djun-djuns,
2>Fun to play ear-training exercises that are challenging for teachers and students alike
3>Engaging exercises to develop speed and dexterity,
4>Easy to follow lessons for eight traditional pieces,
5>A play-along ensemble section where you can create your own music, or play along with your favorite part
6>Rhythms for relaxation. ..It feels like getting a massage, while taking a nap in an oxygen bar!
7>Valuable printable resources, links to articles, and other rhythmic resources on the web.
YOU MUST HAVE THIS DVD!