Percussion classes and Workshop
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'World Percussion set: instruments & rhythms of the world’
Note: The following is a sample workshop class format. At the same time, each instrument has its own long term development process, which takes years to accomplish. For more detailed info about Individual and group classes, available upon request click here to contact us, thank you!
Coordinated by Mr. Ricardo 'Rik' Hambra
Singer / Percussionist / Composer / Teacher
This workshop is focused on the development of the rhythm sense and practical skills, through a gradual audio and ‘on-hands’ training based on modern music techniques and some ancient ethnic cultures, featuring: India, Mideastern region, Africa, Europe, North, Central and South America.
Students are strongly suggested to bring their own instruments (any kind of ethnic drum) but there will be some available for those with none.
Description of the workshop’s activities
Overall comments:
In this example of a class, each would last for around 2 hours, and once a week for a period of 6 months. It can also be modified as required on each particular case.
Every day a special featured ethnic music style will be analyzed, all with its specific instruments and rhythms. Audio and graphic information will also be displayed to enhance the audio – visual understanding of each rhythm.
No previous experience is necessary, techniques will be explained in order to apply to any drum.
Warm up exercises :
We will dedicate the first 15 minutes of each class to a series of exercises with the breath, specific hands exercises, body movements and concentration.
Module 1 - Introduction to rhythm:
The nature of rhythm, awakening to the sense of rhythm within ourselves, rhythm and time, our own source of rhythm: the heart, natural rhythm, keeping time, description of different time signatures: 2/4 – 4/4 – 3/4 - 6/8 – 5/4 – 7/4.
How to translate the rhythms to the drums: How to approach a drum. Explanations about all the different strokes and drum techniques that will be analyzed during the whole workshop, positioning of the hands, postures, stroke intensities: soft – hard – slow – fast, etc; how to organize drum circles, ensembles, poly rhythmic section, improvisation.
Module 2 – Analysis of different rhythms from around the world.
Rhythmic cycles from North India
The Indian Tabla: percussion instrument of India. Live demonstrations and stroke techniques; Intro to Hindustani ‘Talas’, Tin Tal, Ek, Kherwa, Rupak Tal , using the ancient oral tradition of Indian vocal percussion: Ta – Te – Ti – Tin – Tite – Tirikita.
Module 3 – Review of the last class (30 minutes)
Practice section: Analysis of different rhythms from around the world.
Mideastern instruments and rhythms
The Darbuka, strokes and rhythms from the Mediterranean, Zaidi, Basmudi, Melfuf, Zaidi, Mahsum, Ciftetelli, etc. Other Mideastern instruments, Riq, Bendir, Zils, Davul. rhythmic ensembles, group improvisation. An overview of some regional rhythms.
Module 4 – Review of the last class (30 minutes)
Practice section: Analysis of different rhythms from around the world.
Rhythms from Africa
The Djembe, drumming strokes : Do – Go – Pa – Ta – Dum – Gum;
Rhythms Fanga, Kaki Lambe, etc. An overview of some African tribal music.
Module 5 – Review of the last class (30 minutes)
Practice section: Analysis of different rhythms from around the world.
Rhythms from Europe - Spanish Flamenco rhythms
Introduction to the Spanish Cajon flamenco percussion instrument and palmas.
Flamenco rhythms: por Rumbas, Tangos, Sevillanas, Bulerias; Alegrías, Tanguillos.
Also, there will be an overview later in the class of some rhythms from Eastern Europe, Celtic, Italian.
Module 6 – Review of the last class (30 minutes)
Practice section: Analysis of different rhythms from around the world.
Rhythms from North America
This class will introduce the rudiments of some of the most popular North American rhythms, including some Native American rhythms, Blues, Gospel, Funk, Jazz, Blue grass, Country, Folk, Rock, various Hawaiian rhythms , Mexican Rancheras, etc.
Module 7 – Review of the last class (30 minutes)
Practice section: Analysis of different rhythms from around the world.
Rhythms from Central America
Introduction to Afro Cuban instruments, the Bongos, Clave, Cascara, Campana; and some of its rhythms: Salsa, Son, Latin Rumba, and an overview of other Central American folklore music including Reggaton, Merengue, Bolero, Cumbia, Bachata, Jamaican Reggae, Bahamian Calypso, Trinidad steel drums, Soca, Haitian Kompa, etc.
Module 8 – Review of the last class (30 minutes)
Practice section: Analysis of different rhythms from around the world.
Rhythms from South America
This class will analyze the rudiments of some of the most popular South American rhythms, such as Brasilian Samba , Choro and Bossa; Argentinean Chacarera, Zamba, Vidala, Baguala, Tango. Also, an overview of Andean music from Venezuela (Joropos), Peru (Huainos), Bolivia (Saya), Ecuador (Quena y Sicus), Colombia (Ballenato), Uruguay (Candombe) etc.
Note: All the music overviews are explained along with audio examples and a graphic description of each rhythm.
Module 9 – Review of the entire workshop and student’s performance
In this last module, the group will have a general review of the material that has been taught during the whole course, allowing the students to ask questions and also to demonstrate and share some of the rhythmic skills learned on it.
The 'World Percussion set: instruments & rhythms of the world’ workshop is open to beginners and intermediate level students, with basic experience in rhythm and melody. Beginners with strong interest in music but without any rhythm related experience are also welcome.
An introductory open class of this workshop could be arranged free of charge, open to general public and new students.
For more information about upcoming workshop dates, fees and management, please contact us.
A few words about Ricardo Hambra: an accomplished musician, composer, producer and teacher, Rik has an extensive experience as World Percussionist and Singer, an advance researcher in ethnic styles including music from India, Africa, Mideastern, Cuban-Latin, Brazilean, Spanish Flamenco.
He’s been touring and teaching in different parts of the world..countries like Argentina, Brasil, Chile, Spain, France, Israel, Mexico, USA, Netherlands. He’s been visiting India on several occasions, which includes his experience of living in India for an entire year, where he got immersed into India's philosophy and music, including Tabla set technique, as well as Ragas, Bhajans and Kirtan Vocal styles.
His teachers include the great Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, Hand drumming wizard Mr John Bergamo, the one and only singer performer Mrs Meredith Monk, multi-instrumentalist Sri Shyam Srivastava and Carnatic percussion master Ramesh Shotham, among others.
Recent presentations of Music workshops at Lucidity Festival, Lightning in a Bottle, Texas Yoga Conference, Bhakti Yoga Shala los angeles, The Breath Center, Source Yoga community, Ayapis Malibu, Yoga Desa. performing live Tabla set and Vocals at Govind Das Vinyasa Yoga Flow.
He also performs as guest musician with US Kirtan artists like Govindas n Radha, Terra Gold, Avasa and Matti Love, Jim Beckwith, David Watts, Stephen Day, Jeremy and Lily Frindel, Mark Gorman, Srikala, Cooper Madison, Madhu Gaurangi, Sara Engelhart, Paul Carey, etc.
As a guest Singer Percussionist with Groove Temple Live, Yoga & Ecstatic Dance at The Sanctuarium, in Sta. Monica.
Regarding Dance and Performing Arts, Ricardo has worked extensively as a guest musician-performer, with several flamenco, indian kathak and contemporary dance companies; in earlier years, he went also to study the basics of dance styles like Graham Capoeira and Fedora Aberasturi methods with masters like Nancy Zendora, Susana Ibanez, Miguel Angel Robles and Claudia Carbonell. Singing voice with Gachi Leibovich and Ariel Mendelsohn.
He’s also an experienced Yoga Meditation practitioner, himself a SRF certified Kriyaban since '03 and a life-long Sai devotee; he studied in India the disciplines of Hatha, Kriya, Jnana and Bhakti Yoga Marga (path);and performed special mantras and Bhajan sessions in front of such spiritual leaders as Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba in Prashanti Nilayam, India; in USA with Gurmukh Khalsa and Swami Pujya Chidanand Saraswati.
Ricardo collaborated with world percussion set and vocal chant, on a Yoga & Earth Harp Retreat at Omega Institute New York and Wanderlust Festival Lake Tahoe called SONIC CHAKRA YOGA - Enliven The Chakras Through Music & Movement.
Published works:
Author of the book TABLA FOR ALL - TABLA PARA TODOS, a complete learning method for indian tabla percussion set, written in english and spanish, 100 pages/ 2 CDs, published by Advance music, Germany (2011).
> CDs produced by Ricardo as singer percussionist composer, along with an array of guest musicians:
CHILL OUT INDIA VIBE - RAGAS for YOGA - TABLASCAPES and the brand NEW release of SANKIRTAN Sacrificial Love, now available to preview and purchase at BandCamp, Spotify, Amazon, iTunes and most online music retailers, check it out!
Ricardo is a Los Angeles, California resident, where he continues his career as a musician, performer, composer, producer and teacher.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Thank you!
www.ultradeepfieldmusic.com
