Cassava Latin Rhythms

Workshops

Directed by Rodrigo Chávez and Chendy León / 3 workshops format :
1 · Schools: Adapted to Grades 4 - High school

2 · Adults with no musical background

3 · Percussionists and profesional musicians

· Five sessions of 3-4 Hours each. Intensive workshop with two 15 min. break. Focus on: Afro-Cuban rhythms 4/4 and 6/8, Afro-Peru 6/8, Afro-Venezuela and Samba from Brazil.

· Hands-on style workshop. No musical background required. Practical approach based on oral traditions: South America and the Caribbean. Historical background of Latin Music.

· Interactive, inclusive and participatory workshop. Explanations, names and techniques for each rhythm and instruments used in the workshop. Dance: Basic Salsa, Conga and Samba.

· Instruments provided by the instructor: conga drums, bongos, shakers, maracas, cajón, cowbells, ago-go bells, bass drum, güiros, jam-block, claves and Brazilian tamborins.

· CUBA: Basic Tumbao & Conga rhythms, Mozambique, Guaguancó, 6/8 Columbia and Bembe rhythms. Techniques for the different conga drums, bombo (bass drum), Jimawas (cowbells), Katá and theory on the Cuban Clave.

· AFRO-PERU: Landó and Festejo rhythms. Cajón (Peruvian wooden box), congas, bongos and cowbell techniques. Rhythms in 6/8 , 4/4 and 3 against 2 Angola style. Guitar, chords and rhythmic demonstration.

· VENEZUELA: Coastal rhythms from Barlovento and Cata. Parranda, Fulía, Golpe de Tambor rhythms and Venezuelan Calypso. Tambora, congas, güiro and maracas techniques. Also, maracas in the LLanero style (6/8 rhythms) techniques and practical demonstrations.

· BRAZIL: Samba, Bateria, Pagode, Bossa-Nova, Maculelé, Maracatu and Forró rhythms.

Techniques for Surdo (Bass drum), Tamborims, Pandeiro, Snare drum, Ago-go and Shakers. · DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Merengue. Conga drums, tambora, cowbells and Güiro.

· TRINIDAD: Calypso. Conga drums, cowbells and shakers.

LENGTH:
This workshop should be given during a period of 3 to 5 days. Alternating sessions of 2 - 4 Hr. each. Flexible, according to the school schedules.

GROUP SIZE:
15-20 Students -ideal, 25-30 Students -maximum.

ROOM SIZE:
Classroom, Library, Music room or Gym are OK. Enough chairs for participants and good ventilation required.

WORKSHOPS AVAILABILITY:
I teach a two hours hands-on percussion workshop every Sunday 3-5 pm. at the University of Toronto, Hart House. Registration is open to the public and no musical background is required. For information on this course contact: www.worldsofmusic.ca

Alan Davis, Small World Music:
29 Gwynne Ave.
Toronto ON
M6K 2C2 Canada
/ Tel 416-536-5439 / Fax 416-536-2742

· Ontario Arts Council, through “ARTISTS IN EDUCATION GRANT”. Schools and music camps workshops are available all year round. However, there is a 35 day limit.

· Corporate druming workshops are also available, adapted to the requirements of the specific company and limited to availability of time and space.