FAQ about African Beats camp

Why are there no African Drumming workshops for beginners?
If you have never drummed before or are really new to hand drumming, you won't have experienced drumming for many hours a day. Even the most proficient players can still bruise their hands during an intensive week of drumming. New players can also find themselves overloaded with rhythms whilst learning to co-ordinate hands.

At ABC, the morning drum workshops will be an intensive two and a half hour session. This is likely to be too long for the heads and hands of the majority of new drummers.

There are some other fantastic drum camps and workshops out there, where you can try African Drumming.

Why are workshop spaces booked in advance?
Many of you will have experienced being in a Djembe workshop with over 50 people. It is just too loud! Learning material, hearing yourself and the teacher can be a challenge. You may also have been in a class where new people arrive everyday thus breaking the continuity for everyone else and slowing down the groups' progression. We'd like to help you and the teachers have a good workshop experience with groups of 25 people learning together in a series of two day courses.

What is going to happen on the Tuesday night to split the Djembe players?
The level you consider yourself to be, is usually relative to who you regularly drum with i.e. an advanced player at home might be Intermediate/Advanced at a camp. It can be difficult to assess yourself and Djembe workshops can be fraught with problems around this issue - getting in the way of everyone being able to enjoy the experience.

We didn't want to have auditions where people are asked to leave a workshop after they have chosen to attend it.
On the Tuesday night we will organise short drum sessions in large groups where teachers will just split the class up into levels of ability. For example 50 people drumming together and whilst playing you will either be given a number “1” or a number “2”. All number “2” people will be in one class and all number “1” in another class. Remember this is to help you, as you’ll be in a class suited to your level and all classes will be the same size.

Can we bring dogs/pets?
Sorry no, unless you have a Guide Dog.

Can my partner come, but not attend workshops?
The site we are using has a hall for the evening entertainment with a maximum capacity of 200. Therefore all the spaces at the camp will be taken by workshop attendees, crew and teachers.

What can my children do?
If your children are at a standard to be able to join the adult workshops, they can do so. Due to a lack of demand, we no longer have any activities organised specifically for children.

My children are at Intermediate level in African Drumming, can they attend the adult workshops?
Of course!

I have an under 5 year old. Will you be providing a crèche?
Unfortunately not, providing a crèche at an event of this size is just not viable. If you are bringing any children, you will need to take responsibility for them.

Why are you having Friday off from the workshops?
This camp is going to be intensive so you will be glad of the break! On the Friday you can chill out or go to the demonstrations to learn about some other aspects of African culture and arts. Or you can just have some fun drumming with your friends!