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Connect the Syllables to Drum Strokes
Practice each drum stroke separately and speak the syllable as you hit the drum. Use this chart for refference:

Do this many times - you're learning a kenestic language - connecting your voice and your body.

Speak Drum Language - Make Sentences:
Now learn the syllables for a drum pattern (for example, the tumba for Afoxé). Go slowly. Speak the sounds out loud and learn to say them effortlessly so they feel like a sentence.

Know that throughout the world, there is a long history of drummers who have transmitted rhythm and music via the voice. From ancient Africa, India, and Persia to modern beatboxing, the voice is the key. Drumming IS a language.

Orient Yourself - Syllables with the Pulse:
Next, clap the pulse while speaking the syllabels. This will show you how the drum part (via the syllables) relates to the main beat.

Make a Sentence with your Hands
Now that you've learned a sentence in drum language map the vocal sounds to hand positions on the drum. (You can do this without a drum, but make sure you're saying the syllables outloud. You can practice this on a table, your body, anywhere).

Say the Sentence On the drum:
Say and play the drum rhythm. Notice that the drum is saying what the voice is saying and the voice is saying what the drum is playing.

For a good challenge, count the four pulse while you play the pattern on the drum.

Repeatedly listen to my example to sense which syllable or space in the rhythm connects with clave. You may need to go slowly, when adding the clave strokes.

Learn to be conscious of how these parts align. When the syllables and clave are firmly in your body and mind, it will be easy to go faster. Remember: "The slower you play the faster you learn".

If you need help learning the Clave pattern we use in this lesson, please check out Clave Consciousness vol 1

As you play the pattern on your drum, feel how it interacts with clave strokes and spaces. This will help you bring the pattern alive and give you a foundation for improvisation and solo work.

Use the grooves on my “Clave Consciousness vol 1” CD to practice each part with clave.

For extra credit, Speak clave while you play the pattern on your drum.

Grooves...
Now practice the pattern along with one of the groove sections on the CD. Notice which part of the groove is holding the clave and align yourself with that.

Stuck in traffic?
Tap your foot on the pulse, speak the syllables and mimic the hand movements on your lap or in the air.

Pulse, Clave, Rhythm!
Tap your foot on the pulse, clap the clave rhythm and speak the syllables.

Compare and Contrast the Parts
Does the pattern start with bass, tone or slap? Is it "six or four" (triplet or quadruplet feel). Work on keeping the parts separate in your mind. Try starting the part in different ways and use clave as a map to find your way.

Soloing
Note: While you could develop a solo on any part to any of these ensemble rhythms, there is a specific lead drum in each ensemble. This lead drum will be the drum with variation and solo movements. Take your time to learn the the traditional lead part that I teach in the lesson, then develop your own ideas...

A good process for developing your solo ability is what I call "Basic / Variation". Play 4 cycles of a pattern, then 4 cycles of variations on that pattern. Then 2 and 2. Then 1 cycle of each. Then, finally, keep the basic pattern in your body/mind while you make variations.

Try quoting (i.e. playing) other parts of the rhythm, then alter them (reverse the tone and the slap, fill them in, leave things out etc.).

All materials copyright 1998 PulseWave Percussion and Kim Atkinson.