Gentle Djembe for Beginners, Volume 1 (download)

If you're a beginner who wants to learn to play powerful rhythms in a way that's easy on your hands, this video is for you. Watching it is like getting private lessons and taking my Wednesday night beginners class. Each of the seven step-by-step lessons starts with me explaining a rhythm while I play it and ends with the whole class playing it, so the rhythm never stops. 

You can get this video download separately, or as part of the set of three Gentle Djembe videos--which gets you three videos for the price of two and saves you $15. You can also get this video as a DVD by clicking on "Physical DVDs" in the Videos and Books menu. 

"The most non-intimidating way to get beginning beginners started." Arthur Hull, author of "Drum Circle Spirit" 

"Totally unique... the perfect choice for the new drummer!" Joanne Crofford, Boomtown Drums 

Like all Gentle Djembe videos, Volume 2 gives you the feel of private lessons along with the thrill of playing in a group. In this video, you'll be getting a whole lot funkier, while still going easy on your hands. You'll learn to combine a backbeat groove with a variety of West African rhythms, and you'll learn how to incorporate touches into your playing to add texture and momentum to your grooves. 

You can get this video download separately, or as part of the set of three Gentle Djembe videos--which gets you three videos for the price of two and saves you $15. You can also get this video as a DVD by clicking on "Physical DVDs" in the Videos and Books menu.  

"What an absolute joy this video is! Probably the next best thing to being in your group class live." Bill Drol Stow, Ohio

This special package bundle includes all three Gentle Djembe for Beginners videos as downloads. It gets you three videos for the price of two and saves you $10.

If you're a beginner who wants to learn to play powerful rhythms in a way that's easy on your hands, these are the videos for you. Watching them is like getting private lessons and taking my Wednesday night beginners class. Each lessons starts with me explaining a rhythm while I play it and ends with the whole class playing it, so the rhythm never stops. 

Volume 1 gets you started, Volume 2 deepens the groove, and Volume 3 shows you how to play in 6/8 time. If you want to learn more about each volume, just click on its image at the bottom of this page.

The download comes with a PDF file with charts of all the patterns. Total running time is 1 hour and 45 minutes. If you want the videos as DVDs, click on "Physical DVDs" in the Videos and Books menu. 

As a bonus, you'll get some free music when you order this video series, including the album Jaguar at Half Moon Lake and the four piano songs I wrote for The Joy of Six. 

"The most non-intimidating way to get beginning beginners started." Arthur Hull, author of "Drum Circle Spirit" 

"Totally unique... the perfect choice for the new drummer!" Joanne Crofford, Boomtown Drums 

"Very fun for my wife and me to learn together.  Thanks for bringing us this joy!"  Mitch Neuger, San Mateo, California

with Alan Dworsky

In Volume 3, you'll enter the polyrhythmic world of 6/8 time, while still going easy on your hands. You'll learn patterns adapted from powerful West African rhythms--including kpegisu and dunumba as well as one of the most popular 6/8 bell patterns. Like the first two Gentle Djembe videos, Volume 3 provides clear, step-by-step instruction with the feel of private lessons. You'll also get a PDF file with charts of all the patterns.  

You can get this video download separately, or as part of the set of three Gentle Djembe videos--which gets you three videos for the price of two and saves you $15. You can also get this video as a DVD by clicking on "Physical DVDs" in the Videos and Books menu. 

"Your DVDs are the best! They’re easy to follow, your explanations are clear, and the pacing is just right for beginners." Diana Magness, Midway, Utah