WEEKLY CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

WorldBeat Hand Drumming Class

Each JAMMIN! Drum class covers proper technique for a variety of instruments; introduces a new rhythm (we will be alternating West African, Middle Eastern, and rhythms from Other sources as well!); and reviews the rhythms from the past couple of weeks. Information about the origins and uses of the rhythms in their original context will be included; individual feedback on technique will be provided. Check http://www.murfeus.com/events.html for a weekly syllabus! All rhythms will be provided in Box Notation form as an aid to memory and practice.

Fees: $15 per class; circle requests a donation to support the Center. Class Cards are available: $75.00/6 classes. Drum Rental is available by request and 50% of rental fees (to $50) may be used as a deposit towards the purchase of a djembe or dumbec drum.

CURRENT WORKSHOP OFFERINGS

Aissawa Trance Rhythms Presented by Greywolf

This workshop will present deeply orchestrated trance rhythms from Morocco. The Aissawa are a mystical order of Sufis who perform music and dance to accommodate trance and spiritual healing. Greywolf has been studying and performing with Quentin Shaw, founder of Chicago Aissawa, and is excited to present these very different rhythms! Traditional instruments for these rhythms include Bendir, Tareyja, Tabl, and Tasa; some of these will be available for use in the workshop but also feel free to bring your drums.
Jammin! West African Style: Dibon

This workshop will present a traditional rhythm from West Africa (Dibon) and will focus first on the DunDun/Sangban/Kinkini/Bell patterns and variations, then on the Djembe accompaniments, so bring your bass drums as well as djembes! The emphasis is going to be on understanding the rhythm focusing first on the melody created by the interlocking bass patterns, second on the added layering of djembe patterns, and finally on endeavoring to hear the ’Äúbeat never sounded’Äù within that rhythm as a basis for solo phrasing.
The Science of the Healing Drum

This lecture-based yet experiential workshop presents a Research-Based summary of the scientifically established healing and wellness efects of drumming. An introduction is provided into the insight cognitive neuroscientience has made into the effects of music on the human brain; from that departure point we examine both drumming music as medicine and drumming as therapy. The research supporting Rhythmic Entrainment Intervention Therapy and Health Rhythms Group Empowerment Drumming will be discussed; further, they will be placed not only in scientific context but also compared/contrasted to traditional (shamanic) drum healing methodologies.
Moroccan Sha’Äôabi: Polyrhythmic Middle-Eastern Fusion

Sha’Äôabi is a fusion of Middle-Eastern style play and rhythms with a North-African polyrhythmic approach to musical construction. If you’Äôve ever wished for the opportunity to be able to combine the beautiful voices of the Middle Eastern instruments (Dumbec/Darabukka/Tabla, Bendir, etc.) with the complex orchestration found in African rhythm construction, wish no more! Transcending the ’Äúpyramidical’Äù layering more common to Middle Eastern rhythms, Sha’Äôabi offers an endless world of intensely polyrhythmic expression.

TREATMENTS

Health Rhythms Group Empowerment Drumming Sessions (Recommend a series of 6 sessions)

With solid, peer-reviewed and replicated research that has established a panoply of wellness benefits ranging from increased killer T cell activity and improvement in cancer-resistant immunological responses through studies actually showing that experience of sessions of the Health Rhythms protocol actually can create change in our hereditary stress-related disease expression at the genomic level (!), Health Rhythms facilitated sessions offer a profound opportunity to improve your general wellness. These recreational music-making sessions present a protocol fine-tuned by research that’Äîin addition to the effects already mentioned’Äîare community-building and FUN!
Gongbath Vibrational Cleansing

From time immemorial certain instruments (Rattles, singing bowls, gongs) have been utilized in shamanic and ritual practice to cleanse the body and soul. The Gongbath is a one-hour wordless session in which participants experience the deep transformational opportunity provided by prolonged exposure to these therapeutic vibrations. Supplemented by singing bowls and sacred rattles, the core of the sound emanates from a 40’Äù Chau Gong! Please bring a yoga or pilates mat and anything else you will require to be receptive and comfortable for the duration.