Zimbabwean singing & drumming workshop with Bruce Ncube

Day full of Zimbabwean music taught by amazing Bruce Ncube!
Come and learn traditional Zimbabwean songs and drumming rhythms in a relaxed and friendly environment. The workshop is open to all levels of experience – from complete beginners to experienced singers and drummers. Everybody is welcome.

Who is Bruce?
Bruce Ncube is a Zimbabwean musician with over 15 years of touring & traveling the UK teaching & performing in some of the world’s biggest platforms such as WOMAD (England), /African Drum Village (Scotland), Edinburgh international Festival (Scotland), Aberdeen International Youth Festival (Scotland), Lancaster Music Festival (England) World Music Workshop Festival (England), Skye Music Festival (Scotland)…

Bruce is a Zimbabwean percussionist who teaches traditional rhythms with a contemporary slant. Bruce also creates his own rhythm patterns & sequences which he then shares in schools, with drumming groups and in festivals to people of all backgrounds & abilities. Bruce specialises in the Ngoma and Isigubhu, he also borrows a lot of West African rhythms using drums and percussive instruments such as the Djembe, Calabash, Dun Duns and other world percussive instruments such as Congas and the Cajon.

Bruce’s method of teaching is extremely inclusive and participatory. He creates an environment where everyone feels part of the team and all members are supported and encouraged to explore their music making potential.

Bruce specialises in teaching traditional songs from his native country of Zimbabwe in 3 to 6 part harmonies. His teaching is in the traditional, oral/aural way; reminiscent of long ago when people people would gather around a fire in the evenings, at weddings & funerals or whilst working in the fields and start weaving harmonies. His approach is inclusive & participatory, designed to build people’s confidence in singing. The songs he teaches are emotionally charged & uplifting, carrying messages of struggle, hope, determination, courage, inspiration & togetherness. One does not need to be experienced in singing to take part in his workshops.

Why drumming?
Hand drumming has been shown to have numerous health benefits, such as: reducing stress and anxiety, improving physical health, enhancing cognitive function, promoting social connection, alleviating trauma, improving sleep quality and boosting immunity.

Bruce explains the importance of drums in Africa: “The drum & rhythm is the heart of music in Africa, without the drum & rhythm the music is incomplete. Drums play an important role in every aspect of African life, including the physical, emotional and spiritual. African hand drums are played to communicate, celebrate, mourn and inspire. They’re played in times of peace and war, planting and harvesting, birth and death….”

Why singing?
Several studies have found that group singing improves both physical and psychological wellbeing in people with and without chronic health conditions, with the range of health benefits including strengthening the immune system, increasing pain threshold, improving lung function, and enhancing memory in people with dementia.

Group singing can feel absolutely amazing – we don’t use sheet music, we don’t do solos and there is no pressure. It’s simply about getting together and creating something magnificent as a group. A truly bonding and joyful experience.

Programme of the day:
9.30am-12pm: drumming workshop
12pm-1pm: lunch break (lunch not provided)
1pm-3.30pm: singing workshop

Tickets are available for a singing workshop separately or combined discounted ticket for both workshops.

I am looking forward to drumming and singing with you,
Hana xxx