Film Overview

This is a 2 hour DVD of 101 hand drumming rhythms that are perfect grooves for the drum circle, practicing, or even samples. They are easy to pick up quickly, and lots of fun to play on the Djembe, Congas, Doumbek, Bongos, Ashiko, and various other hand drums. (Check out the video sample above.)

Please keep in mind that each of the 101 rhythms are a full minute long, and not 10 seconds like they are on the video sample.

It is not really intended as an instructional DVD, but a collection of over 120 different interesting ethnic beats from various cultures to play and improvise from. No chit chat, other than a brief intro, no notations, no names of rhythms.

It is an easy to follow set, with each rhythm lasting about a minute. It provides a huge body of work to experiment with, and enjoy playing.

It's Ideal for intermediate to professional level drummers, but a beginner can grow into these. It's real useful if you are wanting to start a drum circle up somewhere, a drumming program, or if you facilitate drum circles. It's a whole lot of rhythms that will keep you busy for a long time!

The focus here was on getting as much content on a single DVD disk as possible. No fancy over the shoulder angles, complicated shots, multiple players, or hands of fire solos.

You can see all the rhythms played up real close and personal in a nice clear shot just like in the video sample. It gives you an idea of how the various notes and sounds are played, and made.

Since I am left handed, when you watch the DVD, it is easy to follow for a right handed drummer. It's just like looking in a mirror and playing. It makes it real easy to follow and improvise comfortably from your TV, or on your computer.

It is not necessarily the only way to play these rhythms, but rather just a starting point to expand your repertoire. I hope it helps you to enjoy drumming more, and you find it a good value for your money.

PS. That's a wedding ring tattoo on my finger in the video sample. Obviously a metal ring would likely damage a drum head. Thanks!

Biography:

S L Ratigan is a percussionist, teacher, drum circle facilitator, and session musician.
His 300 page book, "A Practical Guide To Hand Drumming And Drum Circles" is available at his site for $18. at drumcircles.net (Also on Amazon Kindle for $8.)

He has accumulated a massive repertoire of rhythms. He has been playing drums since 1968, and has worked as a percussionist in just about every genre of music, from symphony orchestras to rock bands. He toured and recorded with The Manhattan Skyline, The Soul Corruptors, and various others.

He has facilitated drum circles for various groups, including the Florida Association's Trade Show Convention, Florida Jazz Festivals, The U.S. Army Religious Education Conference, numerous other companies, and special needs populations. He was on the faculty of the Dunedin Fine Arts Center as a drumming instructor, and has released 3 solo instructional CD's/DVD's worldwide.

Check out his drum circle blog, and drum circle finder, by visiting drumcircles.net

He also worked in Hollywood as an actor for two decades, earning a living as a musician, and an actor. He is a member of SAG/AFTRA, and has performed in a large number of television commercials, and shows, including 8 years on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, and on Star Trek as a Romulan Officer. His latest book, "An Actor's Face", (2011) is about the acting business, and how to break in to it. It is also on Kindle for $5.