I have been able to engage with the Djembe over the past couple weeks in a good way. I had learned some basics on my own, then I listened to the music lesson done in class on the drums (I was not able to attend) and I liked the concept of developing a groups’ own saying to go along with the beat they create.

I participated at one of the drum circles; it was very engaging and I felt encouraged to explore the volumes and rhythms. I tried to hit the drum and focus on pulling back off the skin so that the resonance is much better. Yesterday at a dance event, I felt motivated to add to digital music with a Djembe drum. What I took away is that keeping a consistent beat isn’t as easy as it may seem, and that it takes focus to uphold that space.

I challenge myself to learn to progress and diversify rhythms without compromising the baseline “heartbeat” at the base of the drumming.