Creative Times

Course Content:

In this short course we will study rhythms and technique for Afro-Cuban percussion styles.Participants will have the opportunity to work with a variety of different instruments and styles and learn several arrangements that will be brought together in a combined dance and percussion session at the end of the course.

We will concentrate on developing hand techniques for tumbadoras (congas) as well as learning the associated percussion parts for each rhythm. Experience of hand drumming is essential for this course.

Percussion instrument techniques covered:

Tumbadoras (congas), Cajones (boxes), Bombo (Cuban carnaval bass drum) Claves, Campanas (bells), Cata (bamboo played with wooden sticks) and Shekeres (beaded gourd shakers).

*Lukumi Bata rhythms will be covered and transcribed to be played on congas however anyone owning bata drums are welcome to bring them down for the relevant sessions.

We will also learn short songs to go with each style in order to place the rhythms within there musical framework.

Some instruments will be provided but please bring along your own if you have them.

Rhythms Covered: (selected from the following) From the Yoruba tradition – Iyessa, Bembe and Reso Obatala (bata) From the Bantu tradition – Palo and Macuta Cuban carnaval Rhythms – Conga Oriental and Mozambique plus an introduction to Cuban rumba - El Yambu

About the tutor: Andy Boothman - Manchester, UK

Andy is an experienced teacher and performer with a wealth of knowledge in percussion and international music styles. Since late eighties, Andy has played as session percussionist with many Manchester artists as well as directing and producing several of his own projects. In 1998, Andy made the first of subsequent visits to Cuba to study and play Afro-Cuban percussion with groups such as Conjunto Folklorico Nacional, Clave y Guaguanco, Yoruba Endabo, Mezcla, Estrellas Cubanas, F.E.U (comparsa) and Cambron Junior Y Su Changui. Andy has also studied percussion in Nigeria to research Nigerian Bata and traditional Nigerian religion, Orisa.

Dates and times and fees:
An 8 week study leading to a combined percussion and

dance session.

Fee for 8 week course: £55 Pay per class: £10 (save £25) About pay per class

Please note we do have a limited number of study bursaries available for this course.

To book on this course visit: www.global-grooves.org Thursday evenings 7pm - 9pm. (Main Class)

Thursday 30th April Thursday 7th May Thursday 14th May Thursday 21st May Thursday 28th May Thursday 4th June Thursday 11th June Thursday 18th June

For more information visit: http://global-grooves.org/afrocubanpercussion.aspx/

Location: Zion Arts Centre, Stretford road, Manchester

Date: 30.04.09 – 18.06.09

Published by Global Grooves 04.02.09