Press Reviews

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  By Stephanie Lawrence ""Stephanie Smith"" (Lehigh Valley, PA) - See all my reviews
  
  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!