top of page

West African Drumming Workshop

Fri, 11 Oct

|

Yealand Old School

Recent research indicates that drumming accelerates physical healing, boosts the immune system and assists in releasing emotional trauma. Drumming has a positive effect on anxiety, grief, fatigue and depression.

West African Drumming Workshop
West African Drumming Workshop

Time & Location

11 Oct 2024, 17:00 BST – 13 Oct 2024, 14:00 BST

Yealand Old School, 18 Yealand Rd, Yealand Conyers, Carnforth LA5 9SH, UK

About the event

This is an opportunity to explore and deepen your experience with West African drumming on the Djembe and Dundun.   No previous experience needed, drums will be provided.   Come with a beginner's mind and be prepared to be taken out of your comfort zone.


Led by Mark Barfoot who has nearly two decades of experience teaching West African drumming and facilitated by Hugh Barney.  In the last few years we learned rhythms called Yankadi Macru, Fura, Kondenofoli, Bolon.


This year we have upped the quality of the accommodation. There are showers and rooms with ensuite for the first 8 men that book.  The workshop will be held in Yealand Old School, Yealand Conyers.  It is a Quaker meeting hall that was used for the Stokers Weekend.


COST:            £129. This includes food, accomodation, drum tuition and drum hire.

WHERE:         Yealand Old School, Yealand Conyers, Cumbria, LA5 9SH

WHEN:          5PM Friday 11th October to 2PM Sunday 13th October 2024

TO BOOK:    £40 deposit required, electronic bank transfer to account sort code 30-90-50 account  22242260.  Payment by installments is possible - please     discuss.  I always try to return deposits or full payments in case of cancellations subject to numbers booked and costs being covered first.

Feel free to contact me  (hughbarney@hotmail.co.uk) if you need to know more or would like to have a chat on the phone (0779 598 7587).


RECOMMENDATIONS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS


Before the weekend I felt good to be taking up drumming once again, and wondering whether my rusty experience would help or hinder.  After the weekend I felt grateful for the expert tutelage of Mark and for Hugh’s organising it and for the very fine gathering of men.   I found Mark’s teaching was excellent because of his inexhaustible patience, expertise and ability to make accessible the polyrhythms of West African drumming.   I would recommend the experience to any man because it is such a well-held, soulful space, so much more than drumming tuition, a very nourishing journey for both body and soul - thank you Mark and Hugh.

Francis O'Leary


What I have come to understand is how important and beneficial it is for me to spend time in the supportive company of other like minded men, working and playing together....   I would recommend any man with an interest in personal growth to give such a weekend a go. All you need is an open mind and a willingness to join in - you will certainly gain some insights and, who knows, it may even help point towards a different path. 

David Fergus


Before the weekend, I felt quite disconnected after a very tough year for loads of reasons. But I was involved in some of the planning for catering and that helped me feel a real sense of being part of the weekend, even before it started. I also knew about half of the men going and there was an anticipation for joining some good friends again, quite apart from looking forward to drumming again.

At the weekend, I felt totally absorbed and at home in the company of brothers. This is the third of these weekends I have attended  and each one has been special for differing reasons. This was the best one yet and that is exceeding a very high bar. The camaraderie and mutual support over the weekend was great. I felt very much in time and in tune with everything, and enjoyed the djembe learning, but was especially drawn to the bass drums. I have been coming to terms with a likely autism diagnosis in recent months and somehow it seemed appropriate to be instructed  to play a counter rhythm which contributed to the overall feel of one of the pieces. That was just one instance of many over the weekend which spoke very directly into my current circumstances - the weekend was a gift on so many levels!!

Mark is a gifted teacher. He is knowledgeable, inspirational and incredibly encouraging, and it is clear how much the music means to him. Hugh’s enthusiasm for the weekend is also very evident. They are good custodians of the weekend.

I thoroughly recommend these weekends, whether or not you have any prior experience of west African drumming. You will leave the weekend with a real sense that you are a drummer!! And will have had a great time with brothers too. 

Jo Crow

Share this event

bottom of page