Lessons from drumming

My afro-cuban drumming class resumed last night for our next 10-week session. This marks about one year of lessons for me. I am learning a lot, enjoying it, and actually developing a passable musical skills.

I am also learning truths about life through drumming in a group. One rhythm we're working on is bembe. It is a difficult rhythm, based on a combination of a 6-beat and 4-beat played simultaneously. Some parts play to the 4, some to the 6. I've been playing the high drum, which is on the 4, but its 2nd beat comes AFTER the main beat, not before. For those accustomed to western rhythms, this is quite challenging. In the last several classes, I've finally figured out how the rhythm works. When all the parts are going - clave, bell, low drum, middle drum - I can feel the rhythm and come in with the high drum in just the right place. The balance of all the parts going lets me know where I fit into the big picture. When everything else is going on at once, my part is easier to play and feels right.