Hello Friends:
Let's keep it real: Beating drums hurts your hands, you don't go anywhere or get anything "accomplished", you do the same exact thing over and over and over again, and if you sit long enough, your butt gets sore. Why bother????
Hopefully, this issue will answer that question.
Buttpain aside, I am wishing you a lovely holiday season. I've got a wide range of rhythm gift ideas, listed below.
Also, January, 2008 Adult Drumming Classes start in about a month!
If you want to spend a part of your winter learning and playing world rhythms with a fun, interesting group of folks, I can help you! I've got Group Classes for beginners, intermediates, and advanced players. All drums provided, or bring your own.
FITNESS! Sound mind, sound body. It's not too early to think about your New Years Promises to yourself. Beat a Drum, Get a Workout! The new Total Rhythm "Commit to Get Fit" program starts in January, 2008. Details below. Incredibly fun. "Can this really be a workout?" YES!
Also, don't forget: My annual STUDENT APPRECIATION PARTY is Sat., Jan. 12, 2008. Details below. This "New Year, New Rhythm" Party is a FREE EVENT as my way to say THANK YOU for all your support! This year was my most fulfilling yet, and I have YOU to thank for it. We'll have a huge drum session at the party, plus DJ riddums, dancing, many nice people to meet, and lots of axe. Plus, it's FREE!
As always, give me a call if you have any comments or questions: 510-482-8005, or email me at Robert@TotalRhythm.com.
In Rhythm,
Robert Wallace,
Total Rhythm
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Give the Gift of RHYTHM this Holiday Season!
Gift Ideas from
$10- $525
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Give the gift of RHYTHM this holiday season!
Treat yourself or someone you love to the Power of Rhythm! I have a wide range of products and services that would make wonderful, thoughtful gifts for the aspiring and accomplished drummers in your life.
Covering every price range from $10 to $525 (shipping and handling not included), here are your options:
$10 Crying High CD. Beautiful, Brazilian choro music. Click here to hear a Crying High Sample. $25 "10 Rhythms" Instructional Hand-drumming DVD. In this full length, hands-on DVD, I patiently teach the 10 Most Popular World Rhythms: Samba, Salsa, Funk, Bellydance, Calypso...more. 10 Rhythms DVD Sample$25 Pandeiro Instructional DVD Vol. 1 OR Vol. 2. Get started playing pandeiro! Click Pandeiro DVD Sample.  $40 Two-Volume Instructional Pandeiro DVD set. Learn to play Pandeiro with confidence and style. Pandeiro DVD Sample$40 Pair of Handmade Caxixi from Bahia, Brazil. $50 Stylish Pandeiro Bag from Rio (red or black). $60 Beautiful, sturdy, hand-made djembe bag from Mali. $70 One-hour private drumming lesson with me. $130 Lightweight, hand-made, "Zazinho" choro-style pandeiro from Rio. $185 Private Lesson Package #1: Four one-hour private lessons with me. (Regular price= $280.) $220 Beautiful, hand-carved, natural goat-skin djembe from Ghana, West Africa. $285 10-week Hand Drumming Level 1 Class. Drum Class Details$335 12-week Hand Drumming Level 1-2 "10 Rhythms" Class. Drum Class Details"Just Getting Started - Already Have a Drum" Package:
$175 (If bought separately: $210) 10 Rhythms DVD plus Four One-hour Private Lessons
"Welcome to Drumming" Package: $245 (if bought separately: $305) 10 Rhythms DVD Hand-Carved, Natural Goat Skin Djembe from Ghana Drum Bag from Mali Add: One Private Lesson for $40 (reg. price $70) Add: Four Private Lessons for $185 (reg. price $280) "I Want it All: Bring Me the Beat!" Package: $525 (if bought separately: $640) 10 Rhythms DVD Hand-Carved, Natural Goat Skin Djembe from Ghana Drum Bag from Mali 12-week Hand-Drumming Level 1-2 "10 Rhythms" Course Pandeiro Package:
$150 (If bought separately: $180) 2-Vol. Pandeiro Instructional DVD set 10" Choro-style "Zazihno" Pandeiro hand-made in Rio Add: Pandeiro Bag for $40
TO ORDER: Call me (510-482-8005) or e-mail me (Robert@TotalRhythm.com) with your selection(s). I'll give you the shipping/handling price and you can make payment through PayPal or send me a check via snail mail. Thank you!
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Student
Appreciation Party, 2008:
THIS ONE'S FOR YOU!
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Every year I host a Student Appreciation Party as a modest way to say THANK YOU for all the goodness I have recieved from my students during the year. Do you realize that by teaching I learn as much, or more, than you!
This is a FREE PARTY for everyone: students, friends of students, lovers of world music, the dance posse.....it's also a good way for potential students to meet me and vice-versa.
This year the party is entitled "NEW YEAR, NEW RHYTHM". I'll be leading a HUGE DRUM SESSION at 9pm sharp, then we'll have DJ riddums, dancing, and celebrating in a world music style.
Here are the details:
STUDENT APPRECIATION PARTY
New Year, New Rhythm
Sat. Jan. 12, 2008
8pm-Midnite, FREE
Drum Session 9pm SHARP!
Taxi Brousse Bar & Rest.
1101 San Pablo Ave.
Albany, CA
2 blocks North of Ashkenaz
Help me say THANK YOU to YOU!
Hope to see you then. Bring a drum or use one of mine.
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The Relevance of Rhythm:
WHY DRUM?
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Beating a drum hurts your hands, you don't go anywhere or get anything "accomplished", you do exactly the same thing over and over and over and over and over again for hours, and if you sit long enough your butt hurts!
So why bother?
Believe me, as a drummer for 15 years, I've asked the question, many times...
Why Drum?
A good question. Why do ANYTHING if it doesn't provide some benefit to you? There are three primary reasons to tap into the power of rhythm: - Rhythm and drumming helps you to SLOW DOWN and reconnect with YOU.
Everyone has heard the phrase "Don't just sit there, do something!" but
I'd like to offer something different: "Don't just do something, sit
there." And play your drum! Let me explain: In our modern world, speed
is king. Faster is considered better. More is superior to less. Action
trumps inaction. We want a lot of things, now.
But this world of hyperstimulation has it's drawbacks: shorter
attention spans, heightened desire to consume, overvaluation of
commodities. Ultimately, it places attention and focus on the outside, as we foolishly ask "What external items do I need to stimulate me and make me feel whole
and complete?" This is a real problem!
Drumming and Rhythm help bring us back inside. The Power of Rhythm is
the Power of Repetition. When we lock into a beat, our mind SLOWS DOWN
(and, ultimately, turns off) and we reconnect with our physical rhythm:
heartbeat, breath, muscle movement. We stop looking outside of
ourselves for stimulation and approval; we begin to listen to the
still, calm voice from inside. Some call this intuition, guidance,
Love, even God. I call it my soul, or my positive lifeforce, or "axe"
("ah-shay")* as they say in Brazil. This energy resides in everyone and
is constantly attempting to share it's wisdom and guidance.
Unfortunately, most of the time we are too busy, too much into "More,
Faster, Now" that we never stop to listen. That's too bad, because this
message from our spirit is....Click Here to Read the Rest of the Article
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P.S. Save the Dates: We are
travelling to Trinidad from Saturday, July 19 - 27, 2008!!! Details will
follow re: Cost, Itinerary, Workshop Curriculum, etc...
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Winter 2008 School of World Percussion Schedule
Classes Start Jan. 21-22, 2008 in Oakland, CA
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*Fall 2007 Drumming Class Students*
I teach by the quarter. My Winter, 2008 classes are set! Here are all the details: times, location, prices, etc: Drumming Class Schedule
All classes are taught, by me, in my studio in Oakland, CA. If you do not live in the area, I also offer workshops throughout the US, including Seattle, Los Angeles, Portland, Pittsburgh, PA, with more locations added each year. Call me and we can arrange some sessions: 510-482-8005. All I need is airfare, an enthusiasic group of students, and an open space! Let's make it happen.
For Nor. Cal students: I teach three levels of hand percussion: "Level 1: Yes, I Have Rhythm" is for people who have never touched a drum or who consider themselves "rhythmically challenged". We use tall, standing drums and work with basic syncopation, handclapping, singing....all designed to bring you back to the beat. All drums provided. Drumming Class Schedule
"Level 2: 10 Rhythms" is designed for people with some drumming, musical or dance experience. You love the beat, and this class will teach you the 10 Most Popular World Rhythms, including salsa, samba, hiphop, bellydance, calypso. more. Comes with a full-length DVD covering all 10 rhythms. All drums provided. Drumming Class Schedule
In "Level 3: Ensemble", you'll put it all together! Using the 10 Most Popular World Rhythms as your base, you'll learn complimentary and supporting rhythms and percussion and gain the ability to lead a percussion ensemble of your own! All drums and percussion instruments provided.
Drumming Class Schedule
Let me know which class appeals to you, or call me if you're not sure which is the best fit. 510-482-8005. It's better to let me help you pick the right class than enroll in the wrong one.
I am committed to your success. If you want to learn world rhythms, I will help you realize that dream. |
Beat a Drum, Get a Workout!
Commit to Get Fit in 2008
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If you love rhythm, dance, drums and fitness and want to COMBINE them all into a totally fun, musical workout, click here to see a 3-minute video of the Total Rhythm Fitness Program in action!
Starting January 10, 2008, please join us as we COMMIT TO GET FIT in 2008! Ten Total Rhythm Fitness Classes for only $85!!! That's a 40% savings over the regular $13/per class price!
Commit to Get Fit
10-class Program
Starts Thurs. Jan. 10 or Jan. 17 or Jan. 24, 2008
The Beat Dance Center
2560 9th Street (at Dwight)
Berkeley, CA 94710
The COMMIT TO GET FIT program is perfect for new students, since many folks will be joining the program for the first time, as we move in rhythm towards our fitness goals. You can begin the 10-week program on any of three Thursdays: Jan. 10, 17 or 24, 2008.
No enrollment fees, no contract, no membership forms. Simply show up ready to move and groove. All drums provided. Wear workout clothes.
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Make Love with the Present Moment,
Robert Wallace
Total Rhythm
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