Speaking of Rhythm is an aural/oral system of teaching and learning music and is simply the best way to learn.  It is the same way children learn language: listen, repeat, correct, repeat, listen.  Speaking and singing these rhythms will enable you to express them on any instrument.

In this play-along lesson series you will learn ancient drum patterns by speaking and singing syllables that mimic the sound of percussion instruments. The syllables are put together in sequences to teach the basic melody and feeling of each part of the overall dance rhythm. You will learn where patterns start, how they fit in time and how they interlock with the all-important clave rhythm, the key to African based percussion. During the lesson you and I play the patterns on conga drums, bells, and shakers and build up an entire ensemble rhythm with solo movements. 

Thanks to all my teachers and students who have inspired me to create this project.  Dedicated to Babatunde Olatunji, originator of the GnGoPa method.

"This is an excellent opportunity to learn the original Mozambique in a straight forward and well designed format. The material is broken down slowly and carefully, with clear explanations. Highly recommended! "
    Michael Spiro - Percussionist, Producer, Educator

Features of Kim’s presentation include:
- History of the rhythm and instruction for playing it on three drums
- Over-head camera shows players’ perspective during instruction
- All parts broken down individually and played together in combinations
- All parts counted in 8th and 16th notes, and played with Rumba clave
- Conga parts are spoken with familiar “gn, go, pa” syllables
- Instructions for playing the rhythm in 4, 5, 8, and 9 piece ensembles

In this volume, Kim expands and continues with his extremely thorough presentation of Mozambique, the Cuban Carnaval music created by Pello el Afrokan. Here he shows how the rhythm is commonly played in a band setting, in contrast to the previous volume which showed a more folkloric style. The second half of this video is devoted to the "New York" style, played on congas and timbales, which is generally understood as Mozambique in the US
              - Descarga Music Catalogue May 1997.

Grooves to Live In - Brazilian Percussion Orchestra

 Carnaval Spirit Bateria is a 55 minute CD of inspiring percussion music featuring the sounds of the Brazilian Bateria (collection of drums) We use 3 or more richly tuned bass drums (surdos), caxia (snare drum), agogo (double African bell), tamborim (small stick drum, no jingles), ganza (tube shaker), repinique ( high pitched drum that gives signals), and congas to create a vibrant weave of good feelings. Core members in this recording have studied and played these arrangements with director Kim Atkinson for more than 10 years!

"The percussion tracks by Kim Atkinson and his Carnaval Spirit ensemble are so engaging and musically comforting that you will want them around all the time....
  ....  the more you listen and realize all the varied rhythmic sources and fusions, it becomes clear that this is an expansive overview within the microcosm of percussion music. You do not really miss vocals and the usual harmonic instruments because the sonorities of all this great percussion, so creatively and carefully put together, are enough. Each piece moves you through a journey while telling you a story.  What more could you want?"
              - Zeno Okeanos

In this simple program, guided by master teacher and sound healer Kim Atkinson, you will discover the rhythm patterns that define styles throughout the world - Son Clave and 12 Bell.

We'll count, clap, step, speak and learn to embody the key pattern, then practice it at different speeds in 40 minutes of groove sessions. With clave as your rhythmic ground, you are free to sculpt variations inside, outside and around the basic beat, as you improvise on your drum or other instrument.

Clave Consciousness lessons will help you expand your own music. These lessons are integral to my Speaking of Rhythm™ Series which explores African Diaspora music. Free online lesson notes and more information at... www.pulsewave.com

In this lesson you will learn the patterns from the inside out. I lead you through counting and clapping clave in different ways, stick and hand coordination exercises and extended musical examples to help you embody the rhythm. The lesson ends with 25 minutes of clave grooves in both 12 and 16 at different tempos for you to play along with.

Clave Consciousness lessons will help you expand your own music. In addition they will help you understand many forms of Cuban and other music. For free online lesson notes and more information visit... www.pulsewave.com