School of Rhythm Group Classes
Rhythm Traders’ School of Rhythm is currently accepting pre-registration for the following classes: Djembe Explore!, Intermediate Djembe, and Conga Explore. Many of these classes have the opportunity to socialize together and play for various events in the community each year as well.
We encourage all students, from true beginners to music teachers, studio musicians, and local professionals alike to eventually take classes from all of our All-Star teachers. Collectively they’ve traveled the globe, studied with the Masters, and played professionally to bring this expertise to you. Each class is unique, focusing on different rhythms, different instruments, different genres, and different time periods. Together they will help all musicians develop a mastery of rhythm. We hope you’ll begin your journey today and continue for a lifetime.
Classes
Djembe Explore! (Saturdays, 12:00pm - 1:15pm) Lesson Caton Lyles WEB
Djembe Explore! Beginning djembe. Covers hand technique (bass, tone, slap), basic rhythms, and intro to dununs (the bass drums) in a low-pressure setting. You will explore the polyrhythmic patterns of West Africa, learn supporting/accompaniment rhythm, as well as the breaks, signals and arrangements for traditional West African rhythms. Teachers will also discuss origins, context, and culture in this Ongoing/Drop-in group lesson. Bring your own Djembe. Dununs will be provided. Taught by Caton Lyles. $20
Cost: $ 20.00
Djembe Explore! Beginning djembe. Covers hand technique (bass, tone, slap), basic rhythms, and intro to dununs (the bass drums) in a low-pressure setting. You will explore the polyrhythmic patterns of West Africa, learn supporting/accompaniment rhythm, as well as the breaks, signals and arrangements for traditional West African rhythms. Teachers will also discuss origins, context, and culture in this Ongoing/Drop-in group lesson. Bring your own Djembe. Dununs will be provided. Taught by Caton Lyles. $20
Cost: $ 20.00
Intermediate Djembe (Saturdays, 1:30pm - 2:45pm) Lesson with Caton Lyles WEB
Intermediate Djembe (Saturdays, 1:30pm - 2:45pm) - For those who have basic technique under their belt and 1 year of familiarization with djembe including basic accompaniment patterns, the intermediate course continues the West African rhythm journey with more complex rhythms, breaks, solo phrases, as well as use of dununs in a group setting. Students will study the works of master Djembefolas Mamady Keita and Famoudou Konate as well as specific rhythms played for harvest, fishing, courtship, marriage and other life-cycle ceremonies. This is Ongoing/Drop-in. Bring your own Djembe. Dununs will be provided. Taught by Caton Lyles. $20
Cost: $ 20.00
Intermediate Djembe (Saturdays, 1:30pm - 2:45pm) - For those who have basic technique under their belt and 1 year of familiarization with djembe including basic accompaniment patterns, the intermediate course continues the West African rhythm journey with more complex rhythms, breaks, solo phrases, as well as use of dununs in a group setting. Students will study the works of master Djembefolas Mamady Keita and Famoudou Konate as well as specific rhythms played for harvest, fishing, courtship, marriage and other life-cycle ceremonies. This is Ongoing/Drop-in. Bring your own Djembe. Dununs will be provided. Taught by Caton Lyles. $20
Cost: $ 20.00
Conga Explore! (Saturdays, 3:30pm - 4:45pm) Lesson Caton Lyles WEB
Conga Explore! (Saturdays, 3:30pm - 4:45pm) - Beginning Conga. Covers hand technique (bass, tone, open slap, closed slap, heel-toe), basic rhythms (Tumbao/Marcha, Rumba, Makuta, Comparsa) in a low-pressure group setting. Students will also learn the accompaniment clave, bell, and shekere instruments and patterns used in those rhythms. This is Ongoing/Drop-in course and will prepare students for the Afro-/Cuban Rhythm Lab where they continue their rhythmic journey by applying technique along with other percussion and rhythm section instruments. Congas will be provided. Taught by Caton Lyles. $20
Cost: $ 20.00
Conga Explore! (Saturdays, 3:30pm - 4:45pm) - Beginning Conga. Covers hand technique (bass, tone, open slap, closed slap, heel-toe), basic rhythms (Tumbao/Marcha, Rumba, Makuta, Comparsa) in a low-pressure group setting. Students will also learn the accompaniment clave, bell, and shekere instruments and patterns used in those rhythms. This is Ongoing/Drop-in course and will prepare students for the Afro-/Cuban Rhythm Lab where they continue their rhythmic journey by applying technique along with other percussion and rhythm section instruments. Congas will be provided. Taught by Caton Lyles. $20
Cost: $ 20.00
Brazilian Rhythm Lab (Wednesdays 6-7:15pm) Lesson with Courtney Danley WEB
Brazilian Rhythm Lab with members of Portland Samba (Wednesdays 6-7:15pm.): Designed for beginning students, established drummers wanting to probe deeper, and music teachers alike. Students will specialize in their chosen instrument (surdo, tamborim, repinique, caixa, pandeiro, ago-go, timbau, etc) in a low pressure and supportive setting while gaining familiarity with all the instruments used to play popular Brazilian rhythms including Samba, Samba-Reggae, Pagode and Maracatu. For those performance inclined, this course will serve as an introduction and feeder group to local samba ensembles. This is Ongoing/Drop-in. Limited to 8 students. Wednesdays 6-7:15pm.. Instruments provided. Taught in rotation by members of the Portland Samba community. $20
Cost: $ 20.00
Brazilian Rhythm Lab with members of Portland Samba (Wednesdays 6-7:15pm.): Designed for beginning students, established drummers wanting to probe deeper, and music teachers alike. Students will specialize in their chosen instrument (surdo, tamborim, repinique, caixa, pandeiro, ago-go, timbau, etc) in a low pressure and supportive setting while gaining familiarity with all the instruments used to play popular Brazilian rhythms including Samba, Samba-Reggae, Pagode and Maracatu. For those performance inclined, this course will serve as an introduction and feeder group to local samba ensembles. This is Ongoing/Drop-in. Limited to 8 students. Wednesdays 6-7:15pm.. Instruments provided. Taught in rotation by members of the Portland Samba community. $20
Cost: $ 20.00
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