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> February, 2005 Newsletter
Happy Valentine's Day!
This
issue includes:
-
Risk Taking: Embracing the "Not-So-Perfect"
Plan
-
Festival Fun
-
Top 10 Practice Tips
-
Q & A
-
New Inspirational Magazine
-
Health Rhythms Explained
-
Upcoming Events & Announcements
- Empowerment
Drumming: Rhythms for Wellness
- "The
Wild Woman Within" - Workshop for Women
- Freestyle
Drumming Lessons for Women: A Creative, Non-traditional
Approach to Hand Drumming
- Free
Rhythms
- Frame
Drum Intensive with Layne Redmond in LA
-
Heartfelt Thanks
1. Risk Taking: Embracing the "Not-So-Perfect"
Plan
I’d
like to encourage you to claim February as YOUR risk-taking
month. Decide this month to do something you’ve never
tried before.
Most
of us have been taught that we need to follow a certain order
of doing things to be successful in life. First we have to
learn everything, then we have to make a perfect plan, and
finally we have to take action. That way, we supposedly won’t
make as many mistakes. Ugh! What a self-limiting way to live!
How can you possibly know the right way to do something if
you’ve never done it before? Women, it’s time to
take a risk...
Drumming
offers you many opportunities to try something new. There
are different styles, different drums, different teachers,
different teaching methods, and even different home study
resources. Do some research and then get out there and try
something new. Stretch your boundaries!!
You
need to make mistakes if you’re going to learn. If you’re
waiting for the perfect moment, opportunity will surely pass
you by. Don’t let fear, criticism or embarrassment hold
you back. Risk taking is not about having no fear. Face your
fears and move past them so you can accomplish any goal. It’s
good to push yourself. Take action this February and step
out of your comfort zone. I will proudly support you with
your "not-so-perfect" plan. Go ahead; take a risk!
"Go
as far as you can see. When you get there
you will be able to see further." - Thomas Carlyle
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2. Festival Fun
World
Rhythm Festival - The Largest Free Percussion Festival in
the World
Dates:
May 20-22, 2005
Location: Seattle Centre, Seattle, Washington, USA
Your Investment: FREE, FREE, FREE!!!
This
festival is an absolute must for anyone with an interest in
hand drumming. More than 80 artists will be presenting over
50 free participatory workshops. This festival offers something
for all ages, cultures and rhythmical styles. Treat yourself
to this 3-day event. You won’t be disappointed!
My
Top 3 Picks
- Carolyn
Brandy - A very impressive composer, performer and teacher.
This woman is a smokin’ hot player. Whether you just
get a chance to hear her play or take a class with her,
she is sure to leave you inspired to learn more. www.rhythmix.org
- Joseph
"Pepe" Danza - An electrifying percussionist and
multi-instrumentalist and a must see at the Seattle Rhythm
Festival. I’m a big fan of Pepe’s because he plays
with more spirit and passion than you can imagine. He is
unbelievably talented and a joy to watch and listen to.
www.pepe-music.com
- Arthur
Hull - Arthur is a motivational speaker and the father of
the drum circle movement. This amazing man is the top drum
facilitator in the world. Don’t miss out on any of
his drum circles. They’re a lot of fun and a worthwhile
experience. www.drumcirlce.com
"Knowledge
of what is possible is the beginning of happiness."
- George Santana
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3. Freestyle Drumming: Top Ten Practice Tips
- You
don’t need amazing techniques to be creative. Use your
imagination and see what sounds you can produce with your
drum.
- Practice
making both hands sound even. It will help you in the long
run with your playing abilities if you learn each new rhythm
by leading with your right and your left hand.
-
Play with your own creative style and spend time developing
your own sound. Don’t place limits on yourself. Learn
from every source that inspires you and then make it your
own.
-
Be opened minded to ALL types of music. You can learn a
lot from just about any source.
-
Practice everyday even if it is just for a few minutes at
a time. Practicing drumming is not work; it’s a great
way to relieve tension and stress. Your body and your soul
will thank you for it afterwards. Take the time to treat
yourself to self-expression.
- Never
forget about the importance of dynamics. The use of dynamics
can completely change the feel of a groove. Practice playing
loudly, softly and in between.
- Don’t
forget to leave some SPACE between the notes when playing
instead of filling up all the spots in time.
- You
don’t have to play LOUD to sound good. When playing
with others, play tastefully and with passion, but not so
loud that you can’t hear what others are playing.
- Play
as relaxed as possible. It’s easy to tense up when
you’re learning something new, but try to stay relaxed.
Also make sure you’re aware of your posture while playing.
It’s easy to slouch when you’re relaxed, but try
not to!
- Listen,
play, practice and have FUN!
"Success
is liking yourself, liking what you do,
and liking how you do it." - Maya Angelou
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4. Q & A
Q.
What is Freestyle Drumming?
A.
Freestyle Drumming is drumming for the love of drumming! It’s
about playing with passion and allowing yourself to create
your own unique style. There are no hard and fast rules to
follow. You can play any style of rhythm on any kind of drum
you want to.
For
example, I like to play Middle Eastern rhythms mixed with
rock beats on my African Djembe drum. I don’t limit myself
to playing specific styles of drumming when I play. I really
enjoy creating my own sounds; I don’t like being restricted.
Freestyle
Drumming is for anyone that just wants to play and have fun
and enjoy the benefits that drumming has to offer. It doesn’t
matter how long you’ve been playing or how many great
"chops" you have under your belt; if you feel and
believe you’re a Freestyle Drummer, then you are!
"It’s
not about what you know...it’s about what you do with
what you know that counts!" - Pamela Lynn
"What
we learn with pleasure
We never forget."
- Mercier
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5. New Magazine Featuring World News from a Woman’s
Angle
WORLD
PULSE - Women and Children Transforming Our World
World
Pulse is the best magazine I’ve ever read! It’s
truly inspiring and I’m so grateful to have come upon
it. This beautiful, provocative and fascinating publication
is a must for any globally conscious woman who wants to learn
more about the world she lives in. It’s a new magazine
published by a US-based non-profit organisation dedicated
to unleashing the global power and leadership of women and
children through media. For more information and to subscribe
to the magazine, visit their website. www.worldpulsemagazine.com
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6. Health Rhythms Explained
Scientific
Experiment Proves Group Drumming Can Improve Health
The
lives of long-term care workers are highly stressful. These
workers were the subjects chosen for a scientific experiment
on the health impact of group drumming by Dr. Barry Bittman
and colleagues.
Researchers
conducted one-hour group drumming sessions using the Remo
HealthRHYTHMS® group empowerment drumming protocol.
All elements of this research were tightly controlled. The
subjects' immune system responses were carefully measured
during the experiment and showed significant reductions in
burn-out and improvements in mood states. Resultant cost-savings
to the long-term care industry exceeded $89,000 annually.
This
unique approach has now been successfully utilized in many
programs for people facing diseases such as heart disease,
cancer, chronic lung disease and asthma. If you suffer from
any disease or stress-related condition, you owe it to yourself
to give group drumming a chance to improve your health and
well-being.
The
HealthRHYTHMS®
group empowerment drumming protocol used in this experiment
is the protocol used by Pamela Lynn in her "Empowerment
Drumming: Rhythms for Wellness" program. Pamela is a
graduate of the Remo
HealthRHYTHMS® program.
"My
physical well-being has improved 100%. The medical condition
that I suffered with for years has all but subsided."
- Capt. Valma Brenton, President, HERIZEN® Sailing for
Women, Inc.
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7. Up-coming Events and Announcements
A. Empowerment Drumming: Rhythms for Wellness
- This
is a six-week program.
- Time:
Monday evenings, 7:00 - 8:00 PM
- Dates:
March 7/14/21 & April 4/11/18, 2005
- Location:
Women's Resource Centre, #110-7000 Minoru Blvd., Richmond,
B.C.
- Your
Investment: FREE (Richmond Women's Resource Centre membership
required)
- Call
now! Space is limited and pre-registration is required.
Contact Pamela Lynn at 604-505-2249 or the Richmond Women's
Resource Centre at 604-279-7060.
Women:
group drumming is exciting, uplifting and empowering. It's
also good for your health! Now you can empower your life AND
improve your health with a fun activity that takes no musical
talent or know-how and will leave you laughing, energized
and filled with a sense of well-being.
In
my "Empowerment Drumming: Rhythms for Wellness"
program, I use the Remo
HealthRHYTHMS® group empowerment drumming protocol.
This unique approach to group drumming has been used successfully
in programs for people facing serious and chronic diseases.
Just think what it can do for you!
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B. "The Wild Woman Within" - Workshop for Women
- Date:
Saturday, March 12, 2005
- Time:
7:00 - 9:00 PM
- Location:
Swara Inspiritations, #130 - 12031 First Ave., Richmond,
B.C.
- Your
investment: $40.00 CAD
- Register
before February 28 and pay only $25.00 each, if you bring
a friend!
- Call
Now! Limited seating! Call Pamela at 604-505-2249.
Drums
have a powerful way of making a woman feel fearless, confident
and energized. There's no denying it, we all face numerous
challenges in our daily lives. You need strength and motivation
to cope with these challenges. Join us in this fun-filled,
interactive workshop that will help you rediscover passion,
joy and fun in your life. During this exhilarating workshop
you'll discover what it means to be a "Wild Woman"
by having fun and expressing your true self. No more holding
back. It's time for you to let loose and have some fun!
Invest
in yourself! You deserve it!
Fully
interactive. Absolutely no musical experience or ability needed!
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C. Freestyle
Drumming Lessons for Women: A Creative, Non-traditional Approach
to Hand Drumming
- Dates:
March 11/18, April 1/8, 2005
- Time:
7:00-8:30 PM
- Location:
Swara Inspiritations, #130 - 12031 First Ave., Richmond,
B.C.
- Your
investment: $60.00
- Pre-register
before February 28 and pay only $50.00!
- Call
Now! Limited seating! Call Pamela at 604-505-2249.
Freestyle
Drumming for Women is for anyone and everyone. You’ll
learn proven techniques that will...
- Guide
you through step by step, to get you started off right and
sounding great.
- Provide
you with invaluable skills you need in order to build a
strong rhythmical foundation.
- Develop
your ability to play with creative style.
- Improve
your self-confidence.
- Help
motivate and inspire you to drum with passion while enjoying
the enormous benefits that drumming has to offer.
- Empower
you to take what you have learned and share it with your
family, friends and community.
- All
world drums and percussion instruments provided.
- No
musical experience or ability needed!
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D. Free Rhythms
I’m
now offering free grooves each month for you to listen to
and learn from. February’s Groove is called "Freestyle
Shake." Just visit my site (http://www.pamelalynnmusic.com/free-rhythms.htm)
and have a listen, then grab yourself a friend and have some
fun!
"Adversity
is the first path to Truth." - Lord Byron
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E. Frame Drum Intensive with Layne Redmond in LA
I
haven’t had the privilege of attending one of Layne Redmond’s
workshops, but I will highly recommend this workshop to anyone.
She has a solid reputation and I for one would LOVE to be
able to attend!
Los
Angeles, CA: 2 Weekend Intensive.
Newer
drummers to advanced drummers are welcome.
"Invoking
the Muse: Frame Drum Retreat Weekends with Layne Redmond"
The
Rhythmic Path of Creative Transformation
Dates:
March/18-20 and April/22-24, 2005
Location:
Remo Recreational Center, 7308 Coldwater Canyon, North Hollywood,
CA, between Sherman Way and Saticoy
Layne
will present two weekends of all new frame drumming material,
inspired by two months of study in Salvador, Brazil.
Attendees
will concentrate on fusing the trance traditions of Morocco
with the rhythmic traditions of Brazil, and study the ancient
tools of the Bee Priestesses, the Melissae, who played the
frame drums, finger cymbals, sistrums, and wooden clappers.
We'll see images from the ancient world of these drummers
and oracular priestesses, and learn the yogic buzzing, humming
pranayama (rhythmic breathing) practices of the Bhramaridevi,
the sacred bee goddess from India. Attendees will also see
footage of Layne’s two months of study in Brazil, and
of Carnaval, the remnants of the ancient Dionysian rites the
Melissae and Maenads participated in.
These
weekends are appropriate for newer drummers to more advanced
drummers. Attendees will work in ensembles in which experienced
players will have more complex parts and newer players will
have more basic parts.
Schedule:
- Friday
night: 7:00-9:00 PM, basics and intro level frame drum technique
- Saturday
through Sunday morning: integrating basic parts with more
complex parts in an ensemble
- Sunday
afternoon: advanced techniques
Intro
level drummers: register for Friday night, through Sunday
morning.
Experienced drummers: register for all day Saturday and Sunday,
however you are welcome to attend Friday night to work on
your basic technique!
Tuition:
A
$75 non-refundable deposit is required for registration; full
payment must be received no later than March 4, 2005 (allow
one week for mail delivery).
$300
for Early Bird registration received by Feb. 15/05; $350 after
Feb. 15/05.
Registration:
For
registration forms and payment plan set up, contact Allee
at drummer@gilanet.com,
or call 505-536-2233 evenings until 9:00 PM MST or weekends
(or 505-313-3021, weekends only please) with further questions.
Please make payments payable to Allee Barr. All payment plans
will start immediately.
For
lodging and meal information, plus directions to workshop,
contact Larry Graber at lmgraber@excite.com.
Cancellation/Refund
Deadline:
Cancellations/Refunds
minus deposit will be paid through March 11, 2005; after that
date, credit for another workshop will be honored for one
year (March 2006).
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8. Heartfelt Thanks
I
would like to personally thank my students and my friends
who have referred any business and students my way. Word of
mouth is really the best form of advertising, and I am grateful
for your help. I am now offering a referral fee of $20.00
off any of my workshops or programs.
If
you have an inspirational story about how drumnming
has affected your life in a positive manner or if you have
any comments to share, please email me at Pamela@PamelaLynnMusic.com;
I'd love to hear from you.
Peace
and Blessings,
Pamela Lynn
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