Drumming the Language of Guinea, Africa

Almost more fascinating than listening to the infectious rhythms thundering from the First Reformed Church in Hastings Wednesday nights, is watching the faces of the drummers, all deeply absorbed in the pursuit of beating the correct pattern.

For more than five years, percussionist and music instructor Barbara Allen has offered traditional African drumming classes in Hastings, and many of her dedicated students have been coming weekly since the classes started.

"My mission was more than to create a drum circle in the Rivertowns," Allen said. "It was to introduce the traditional sounds of Djembe drumming into the community."

Though her professional career focuses more on playing timpani for operatic orchestras, Allen has become increasingly passionate about mastering the traditional drumming that is still such an integral part of people's lives in Africa and South America.

"I have traveled with drumming groups to both Guinea, Africa and Cuba," Allen said. "The most powerful part of those experiences was to realize that so many other countries are not as postmodern as the United States—in many countries drumming is part of the people's everyday self expression."

Though Allen loves the passion her students pour into the art, she is adamant that they learn the complicated sequences correctly, stressing that the class is not based on improvisation.

"These classes are really preparation for students to be able to drum for African dancers," Allen said. "It's important they learn the language of Djembe so that they can play with other groups anywhere."

To teach a new rhythm, Allen stood before her circle of eight students Wednesday—there are often more, but many were on summer vacation, Allen said—tapping her foot and counting aloud tongue-twisting variations of "dum dum tak tak dum tak dum." 

Students closed their eyes, knees squeezing their drums, as their faces crinkled into expressions reminiscent of trying to solve a very difficult math problem. Slowly they began to feel the beat and tap their feet along with Allen.

"Your ears just play tricks on you," longtime student Iris Hiskey Arno said.

Within minutes everyone had mastered the pattern, and with repetition could play with more force and pizzazz.

Anna Maria Mejia is a former professional drummer from Brooklyn who recently rediscovered her passion for the art by coming to Allen's class.

"Barbara's a great teacher, who does a fantastic job of combining multiple skill levels within one class," Mejia said.

Now a stay-at-home mom in Hastings, Mejia says the drumming class gives her something to do for herself once a week, which she feels is very important.

"I love my family, but being able to get away once a week for class has been amazing," she said.

Allen emphasized that her classes are open to anyone in the community, adding that they have appealed especially to people with backgrounds in bodywork, psychology and the fine arts. 

She holds two four-week blocks of classes sponsored through the Inter-Village Continuing Education program in the spring and fall, but the rest of the year organizes the class independently.

"A lot of people find out about me through the continuing education program and then just keep coming," Allen said. "What I admire about drumming teachers in Africa is that they always hold mixed-level classes, and are immediately drawn to the new students."

The more experienced students in Africa have the patience to wait for beginners to learn the sequences and catch up, Allen said, noting that she tries to emulate their approach.

"It's fun to watch high-powered Hastings professionals have to wait," Allen said with a devious grin. 

Something else Allen loves about her adult drumming group is how well it transcends age barriers—with students ranging from recent college grads to long-retired senior citizens.

"I see people interacting and having fun with members of the community they would normally never meet," she said. 

With each course cycle, Allen has observed how new students add distinct and enriching "vibes" to the group, which has become more than just a disparate assembly of aspiring drummers.

"It's hard to get students to clear out of the church after class" Allen said, looking at her watch.  (Class had been over for more than a half-hour and drummers still lingered, chatting.) "It's become such a strong social scene."

To find out more about Barbara Allen's classes through the Rivertowns Continuing Education program click here. Or to contact Allen to register for the next cycle, call (917) 478-7284 or e-mail: aquarian@comcast.net.