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What we’re about

Tankata Percussion is a friendly group that plays and studies traditional rhythms from West Africa in particular Djembe and Dunun Rhythms from the Malinke peoples and tribes.

The time-tested system we explore offers the swiftest path to honing your skills and expressive abilities on the Djembe and Dunun drums, regardless of whether you're performing in a traditional context or not. This system, honed over centuries in the heartland of Djembe, West Africa, seamlessly complements and elevates any other musical techniques you may have acquired.

The repertoire we engage with and explore aligns seamlessly with the broader Djembe communities and musical traditions, which have evolved into a worldwide musical phenomenon. This offers participants the chance to partake in additional experiences such as festivals, specialized workshops led by esteemed indigenous instructors, and even the possibility to journey to West Africa through established partnerships

We've been part of the Readipop charity for over fifteen years and your support of this workshop also helps support the charity and helps us to use music to change people's lives positively through music.

Below is a more detailed breakdown of the session.

Wednesday evenings at Readipop 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm

7 - 7:30 pm       Beginners session.

7:30 - 8:30 pm  Mixed group/everyone

8:30 - 9:30 pm  Advanced

Drums can be provided.

During the beginner session, we will focus on basic Djembe techniques and exercises. I will also introduce you to a basic part to play for the later sessions and explain the West African system of drumming. This will be a quiet session before the main session starts.

At the mixed level, we will focus on a mixture of traditional parts and rhythm exercises, This will be at a very accessible pace where will be introducing more parts of the rhythms we're learning. This group is suitable for everyone, beginners can continue to practice what they learned in the first session and also start to experience and learn the intermediate aspects of the rhythm.

Advanced is where I take the gloves off and we go deeper into the world of complicated Solo parts and harder arrangements. Everyone is welcome providing you like a challenge.

Everyone is welcome to all sessions to support each other provided you are considerate to both yourself and others.

Price List

The whole session is £10

Beginner/mixed level session £8

I can take cash on the day or you can pay directly into my account below

Steven Southall

Santander

Account:   18166228

Sort code: 09-01-29

Address

Readipop Studios 15 Trafford Road, Reading, RG1 8JP

To find the studios as you drive to the very bottom of Trafford Road you need to turn right into the small car park and look for some professional graffiti saying "Music changes lives" That is our building the doorway is just down the side of that building to the right of the painting.

If you can't find it call me on 07775688288 and someone will come and help you.

Any questions please feel free to contact me details are below.

Many thanks

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