This DVD provides a study of traditional Djembe technique, enabling you to play with confidence and clarity. It includes the following exercises:

- Interactive Ensembles that allow you to hear only the drums you want and silence the rest. For instance, hear all drum parts, Djembe only, or just Dunun. Eight options total!
- Basic Yoga warm-ups chosen especially for Djembe drummers.
- Infinitely looping practice rhythms appropriate for all levels, beginner through advanced.
- Develop bass, tone, and slap in order to speak clearly on the drum.
- Question & Answer exercise designed to get you "out of your head" and into the feel of the music.
- Ghosting exercises in binary & ternary.
- Polyrhythmic & polymetric exercises.
- Complete maintenance & tuning instructions.

Average Customer Review: ( 21 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.

The DVD has several different aspects that are all really good:

1) Basic Notes on the drum.
2) Warm-Ups and Exercises
3) Ensemble Rhythms
4) Extras

Each section of the video has great introductory comments. The basics are pretty well explained, but the warm-ups and exercises are first-rate, particularly the yoga stretches. The introductions and explanations are well done - it wasn't the "drum-lingo" you might've expected, nor was it all hocus-pocus new-agey, nor was it chocked full of "honor the traditions of the motherland". It was clear, well-spoken, articulate, and intelligent.

The exercises and basics are pretty well done, but the videography is top-notch! Other videos I've seen offer a "bird's eye" view of the drum, but this one gives you the ability to choose how you want to view the instructor - either head on or "over the shoulder". I prefer the latter because it a) gives you a full-screen shot of what his hands are doing and b) makes it easier to match what his hands are doing rather than trying to switch the mirror image of a "face-to-face" shot. Both views let you see the other option in a small window on the screen. Each offers a text-based notation on screen so that you can "read" what you're playing: "BTTBSS" for "Bass Tone Tone Bass Slap Slap". Of course, with the DVD you can infinitely loop the exercises as well.

The intermediate/advanced techniques moved REALLY fast and this is probably the only section of the video worthy of complaint. There were no explanations, no slow vs. fast mode, and the transitions, while fluid, were just too fast to follow. It would've helped to have seen the patterns on-screen BEFORE he started playing the them. It would've also helped to have breaks between the patterns to allow you to start/stop/loop them. Keep in mind this info was still good, but could've used some flushing out and in-depth coverage.

The ensemble sections were AWESOME! They show two six-part rhythms. They are shot so that the same guy plays each part and comically holds down the whole ensemble with himself! With DVD technology, you can choose what you want to hear: select each part individually, each section (djembes or djuns, the full ensemble, or just the solo.

Extras include on-camera interveiws with Taylor, a promo for "Rhythm", the night club were the instructional portions of the DVD were filmed (www.drumallnight.com), and a 15-minute concert by Taylor's West African drum ensemble. The ensemble in concert clips were hot - really well shot/mixed and great demo of how a full ensemble can rock. It's good inspirational stuff. Very flashy. Also included are drum maintenance and tuning instructions that are FAR better than anything I've seen short of Paulo Mattioli's "Skin It, Tune It, Play It" full-length video on that topic.

The videography and sound quality on this production are top notch! With the DVD, it won't wear out like your favorite VHS tapes so you can watch it, loop it, put it on surround sound, and "SLAP DAT GOAT" 'til the cows come home.... ;^)

If you're going to buy an instructional djembe video, this is the place to start. This is the stuff!

30 of 31 found the following review helpful:

Best Drumming DVD Yet!!!Apr 16, 2004

I have viewed, as well as bought several drumming DVDs in the past year. This DVD is by FAR the best I have seen. I notice new things daily, and continue to grow as a drummer. There is a lot of information about your drum, in this DVD. Including technique, Practice Rhythms that loop untill you are finished, and many many extras. This DVD has shone new light on my otherwise dizmal drumming path. This DVD taught me to hear the music, and follow suit. I watch it daily, as part of my daily routine, and to me, its just as important as Yoga. I cant wait for Taylor to produce more... OH!!! In the Supplemental section check out the Holy Goat Ensamble Performance! WOW!
Blessings to Taylor,
Sean Harmon

24 of 24 found the following review helpful:

Exactly what I was looking forMay 27, 2005
By Jon Anderson
Very clear. Thorough. "Remembering How to Drum: Djembe Technique" is really well put together. I was looking for a DVD that would lead me through the basics. This one did that, along with reminding me that the urge to drum is innate (hence, the title.) I knew a bit about yoga, proper breathing and arm and finger exercises -- but this DVD showed how they all fit.

Good visuals.

I highly recommend it.

Chicago IL

25 of 27 found the following review helpful:

Could not make it play on an Apple iBookMay 18, 2005
By Renee Aubuchon "reneesarah"
I ordered a copy of this DVD and it would not play on my Apple iBook. Every other DVD I have ever put in the iBook has played. I even tried other DVDs in the iBook after this one would not play. They worked. I returned the DVD to Amazon and had them send me another one. The second one also would not play on the iBook. This time I tried putting it in the DVD player on top of our television set. It played. So, fellow iBook djembe players... be advised this DVD may not play on your iBook. (Apple 800 MHz Power PC G3, MacOS X 10.2.8) Otherwise, great DVD.

After I posted this review at Amazon I got an email from the production company that produced the DVD. They confirmed that they knew it was not compatible with the Mac OSX operating system. Apparently the DVD, which is truly excellent, has gone into a second production run. DVDs from the second production run are OSX compatible. The production company sent me one from the second production run and it works fine on OS X. Blue 7 Media wrote me an email and said that as of June 2005 all the DVDs available through Amazon are from the second run. (Thank you!)

The more I play the more I appreciate the yoga exercises to loosen up and care for my hands!

21 of 23 found the following review helpful:

At last!!!Jul 08, 2004
By Pieras Fitikides
Taylor,
Your dvd is not good...it is fantastic!!! Excellent work! Bravo Taylor! Well done!

Your "Remembering How to Drum: Djembe Technique" DVD actually provides what it promises to provide and much more:

* Excellent quality of picture
* Excellent quality of sound
* Clear step by step instructions
* Great practise excersises
* Important tips and ideas for good drumming

I will make sure all my drumming friends know about you.

See all 21 customer reviews on Amazon.com