She Bangs the Drums

Ever felt the need to get in touch with your inner tribal warrior?

The monthly drum jam at the Fringe Club is an opportunity for people to come together and create music, without rehearsals or rules. Each session attracts around 100 people who come for two full hours of hands-on drumming. There are over 100 instruments for people to try, including a whole host of percussion instruments and a variety of drums from West Africa, such as the Djembe, as well as bongos and Chinese drums.

Hong Kong's hectic workaholic society can be pretty damn stressful, and drumming is a great way to release tension. Prasad Patil, a drum jam regular since movement began says, “Drum jam is a great way of letting go of the pressures of work. Actively participating in this kind of thing really helps you get your groove back.”

Percussionist Kumi Masunga has been coordinating drum jam for just over ten years now and welcomes all, regardless of musical ability. “That’s the wonderful thing about drums, after all,” Masunga says. “Drums are so accessible; all you have to do is hit one, and it makes a sound.” Kumi's also convinced that creating music, gives people an instant confidence boost. Thelma Zhang has studied percussion since 1994, and encougages total beginners to give it a try. “Everybody has so much energy here; people with no previous talent or who rarely play instruments have a great time because they are encouraged and they want to try it out,” and after an hour of solid drumming everyone's hooked.

It is the accessibility and their acceptance that makes the crowd so diverse. “The music we play doesn’t belong to any one culture or tradition. It breaks down boundaries,” Kumi insists. Indeed, the monthly jam sessions draw in professionals from all sectors, including policemen, social workers, businessmen and also a few teenagers. The group is all about the music, but stick around and you might make friends. De Kai, a regular and professional flamenco percussionist and keyboard player goes along to meet other musicians. “It’s a great opportunity to get together and share ideas with musicians from different traditions; it’s a very sociable thing to do.” Through this mesh of ideas and cultures, drum jam sessions have experimented with new instruments, with some members even bringing in didgeridoos. So next time you're bored and feel like you want to beat something with a big stick, hit up the drum jam for something a little different.

How to play the Djembe

• The Djembe is the most common West African drum: it is goblet-shaped with goat skin stretched across the top. You should be able to get maximum sound with minimum effort if you play it correctly.
• Strike the skin towards the center to produce a bass note
• Strike the skin near the rim with your fingers together to make a tone
• Hit the rim with your fingers apart for a slap
• Get funky
• Djembe drums are provided at the drum jam, or you can buy a ten-incher from Tom Lee for $1,050.