“How to Create Homemade Hand Drums” is a special 10-minute How-To video produced by Drum Circle Facilitator Tim Kane in June 2020 to help players of all ages who want to participate in a virtual online group drum circle, but don’t yet own their own drums.
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Transparent drumming
Someone remarked to me before a recent drum circle that she thought I was just a “rhythm starter” who owns a bunch of drums, and not an actual teacher of drumming.
It’s a common misperception in my industry. While there is nothing wrong with simply starting rhythms as I have to do that often during drum circle events, there’s also many hidden elements folks can’t see or initially understand on the surface. It helps to also attend a drum circle before formulating an opinion. Negative stigmas and confusion can easily set in without experiencing one live.
I’ve played drum set and percussion since I was a little boy of age 8. I never stopped playing. I’ve been formally trained in jazz and marching drums and percussion and music in general through college courses and many live playing gigs. I also play trombone and compose songs on piano. I have taught drum set to kids and adults professionally for more than 15 years. I have taught percussive arts at a local high school for the past 10 years.
I’ve lead drum circles for all ages for the past eight years and actively study rhythm and music cultures from around the world. While that is lean time compared to the full body of my musical learning, I still draw from all those past experiences today.
Additionally, I also was fortunate enough to develop and hone leadership skills managing large groups of creative-minded workers for many years. I was formally trained in public speaking and helped organize conventions and professional workshops for seven years in Boston.
I’m a current board of director and newsletter curator for the internationally recognized Drum Circle Facilitators Guild.
And I’m blessed to play drum kit and percussion for The Island Castaways Band, which is probably my 10th legit musician group in my lifetime that has exposed me to creating rock, jazz, funk, world and reggae beats. Most of those bands also composed their own songs. I draw from all of those incredible band rehearsal/performance experiences as well dating back 30 some odd years.
When you combine all of this into my current drum circle program, it’s fairly obvious that I am not only a rhythm starter. Experience counts and the more diverse the better.
I am a drummer, teacher and performer who facilitates therapeutic, lively and fun hand drumming programs as one part of my full-time music business. Many dozens of clients across New England can vouch for that.
Online drum lessons
Drum instructor Tim Kane
Email: tim@kanedrums.com
Call or text him at: 774-757-7636
Tim Kane, a professional drummer with more than 30 years of performance experience, teaches beginner to advanced musical styles on drum set and concert percussion, including hard rock with optional double kick drum, jazz, funk, reggae, world beats and marching drum corps. He teaches live in studio based near Boston, MA or online via Skype, Google Plus Hangouts, and YouTube Live Streaming platforms.
Kane School of Drums Brochure 2018
Tim graduated from Fitchburg State University and is certified and endorsed as a school drum instructor by Vic Firth, an international manufacturer of drum sticks, mallets, brushes and percussive devices. He is also a recognized current member of the Massachusetts Music Educators Association and Drum Circle Facilitators Guild board of director.
His online lessons include learning and refining students’ rudimentary and sight reading ability, eliminating bad habits, improving dynamics, creating better drum fills, soloing, playing with other musicians, composing original parts, understanding the mechanics of song structure, and building a personal signature playing style. Ear training is enhanced with drum play-along songs. Tim can record every session so students and parents review progress.
Lessons can be offered weekly or less frequently depending upon student schedules.
TOP TEN REASONS TO TAKE DRUM LESSONS
1 – Develop your rudimentary hand-foot technique from beginner through advanced.
2- Learn to sight-read and/or improve your ability to do so live.
3 -Enhance your listening skills with a play-along track program, and learn songs you choose and find challenging.
4 -Learn to compose and play drum solos, which Tim will record for you as MP3 and MP4 files.
5 -Work on school-based band sheet music and songs you need to learn.
6 -Refine your playing style, whether it’s double bass oriented or traditional hi-hat.
7 -Improve your endurance and sense of dynamics.
8 -Play better and more intricate drum fills and a variety of musical styles from jazz and funk to rock and metal.
9 – Benefit from decades of wisdom from playing with other musicians, and a growing collection of instructional videos and audio recordings.
10 – Set goals and achieve them by having a professionally trained instructor guiding you along the way.
“Djembe Wings” prototype developed for wheelchair users
Patent PendingI’ve been working with engineer Steven Tamburri on designing a working prototype for a special Djembe stand idea I created that is intended for wheelchair users and others.
Through working with mostly senior citizens for the past 7 years facilitating drum circles, I discovered that many existing Djembe stands just aren’t designed for people in wheelchairs.
Wheelchair users find it difficult to play a Djembe at the proper height using both their hands because neither it alone nor a stand can easily be positioned between most wheelchair tires and foot supports. Many frail seniors can’t easily move their feet or knees apart as well.
All too often, wheelchair users have to play a Djembe with one hand with it positioned to only one side of the wheelchair. This obviously takes half of the experience away from those players.
Called “Djembe Wings”, the Patent Pending prototype Wings were professionally designed in Brookfield, MA and 3D printed at Stratasys Direct Manufacturing located in Valencia CA. to solve this challenge.
“Djembe Wings” eliminate two of the typical three Djembe stand legs, thus giving wheelchair users the proper forward tilt needed to play a djembe while also centering it directly between both legs with great stability and comfort. It’s fully height and width adjustable and comes with an added knee support brace to fit almost any size or type of wheelchair.
A very special surprise bonus to this prototype was the discovery that players can actually feel the Djembe vibrate while playing via the White Wings themselves.
“Djembe Wings” can also be used for players who are not wheelchair users but may experience difficulty tilting a Djembe forward for a variety of reasons having to do with leg and knee strength/injuries, the slippery finish of djembe outer coatings on pant legs, and other factors. As shown in the attached pictures, my special one legged stand would make a great upgrade or alternative for anyone.
I’m looking for help in trying to further develop this product as manufacturing and marketing costs as a sole proprietor musician like myself are off the charts expensive.
Wondering if there are any partners or special needs hand drum product supporters out there that might be able to point me in the right direction as I think the “Djembe Wings” solves the Djembe playing problem for anyone in a wheelchair and gives players not in a wheelchair an excellent new tool to tilt the instrument at its intended downward angle to be played correctly.
Please let me know if you have any interest or know of anyone who may be interested in speaking with me. I have all the designs and schematics and the actual prototype.
Thank you,
Tim Kane
kanedrums.com
774-757-7636
Drums & Keys
Drums & Keys combines an innovative introduction to music fundamentals and basic piano with a wide ranging drumming lesson program for kids in Grades K-4.
Because many schools don’t offer established concert or jazz band programs until fourth, fifth or even sixth grade and in classroom music budgets have been continually reduced, there is a large drought or void in musical development opportunities for younger kids.
This unique program combines a well established drum set, hand drums, and percussion lesson program along with music theory, songwriting and basic piano instruction. Kids ages 5-9 will now be able to learn the drum set, hand drums and concert percussion while also being trained in general music education.
Beyond drumming, this will involve learning musical terminology, notation, scales, ear training, music appreciation and history, jamming out live with other student musicians, original songwriting and much more.
If you have a younger child yearning for more musical development, please consider Drums & Keys based at Kane School of Drums, which operates a licensed, fun, safe and full music recording studio environment in Brookfield, MA. Tim can even travel to your home if within a 15-mile radius. Parents are most welcomed to sit in on the first few lessons. Many references available.
Learn more at kanedrums.com.
774-757-7636
Welcome to Kane Drums
Blending diverse rhythmic and musical styles into the mainstream scene with good taste has been Tim Kane’s forte as a Massachusetts-based drummer, percussionist and music educator for more than 25 years.
Kane began drumming and playing trombone in fourth grade. He graduated from Fitchburg State College where he was course and ensemble trained in jazz, concert and various school-based jam bands. He also studied and performed with a jazz quintet at the well-respected Indian Hill Music Conservatory in Littleton, Mass.
Today, Tim is entering his 10th year as the drum set and percussion instructor at Eagle Hill High School in Hardwick where he implemented an innovative new percussive arts and djembe group drum circle program for special needs students as well as teaching privately in his home recording studio. He also teaches songwriting and digital audio recording. He can help you record a cover or original song demo.
He endorses Vic Firth Drum Sticks and worked previously for several years as a professional educational and product writer for Dixon Drums and Gibraltar Hardware. He had a major story about famed Police drummer Stewart Copeland published in Modern Drummer magazine two years ago that is featured here.
Kane currently tours New England every summer in a trop-rock Jimmy Buffet-style tribute band, The Island Castaways Band, which released a new CD of original songs this past spring that is getting killer airwaves on a bevy of top island music radio stations. The band’s top single is linked here. TICB’s fan base ranges from a few hundred to thousands at indoor and outdoor public and private venues, including Boston Red Sox Fenway Park festivals.
Kane also holds down jazz drums for the Trinity Swing Big Band, performing most every Tuesday in and around Worcester and Central Mass.
In 2012, he published a full album of his own making, composing and recording 10 original songs and playing all instruments found streaming live at Spotify and located at Reverb Nation here.
Kane expanded his drum teaching and performance business eight years ago to host “All Together Drumming” offering fun, therapeutic group hand drumming circles using djembes and other percussion in private and public settings on a weekly basis year-round. Recent clients have included Stonehenge NH, YMCA, Worcester Art Museum, area schools, senior citizens, town commons, parks and recreation depts., and the Center for Autism Awareness of Central Massachusetts.
He is an active member of the national Drum Circle Facilitators Guild, Percussive Arts Society and Massachusetts Music Educators Association.
Learn more about Tim at kanedrums.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/timkanedrums/
Call or text him at: 774-757-7636
Email: tim@kanedrums.com
Thanks for hiring All Together Drum Circles/Kane Drums
Hi.
I would like to take this brief time to thank you for hiring me to lead your recent drum circle experience. I thought it went well and hope you and your guests feel the same.
As my business relies on word of mouth and referrals, I invite you vote and comment on my services at the quick Poll link below? I will use comments and feedback to improve my program.
I find most repeat clients of mine remain happy with the services rendered. I would like to extend the same opportunity to you and perhaps any peers who might be interested as well.
Thanks again for the opportunity.
Sincerely,
Tim Kane
Founder
All Together Drum Circles
kanedrums.com
774-757-7636
Great feedback from a recent drum circle client…
Drum set and percussion repairs
The Drum Set Doctor as part of Kane Drums o
ffers a complete drum and percussion instrument repair service traveling to local schools, colleges, institutions and homes.
With 30 years of experience tuning and repairing everything from drum set, bass drum and timpani heads to replacing smaller lugs, nuts, washers, strainers and felt components, The Drum Set Doctor can quickly assess your drum or percussion instrument’s needs and recommend options.
The Drum Set Doctor also offers a complete drum restoration program, specializing in drum kit re-wraps and hardware overhauls.
Read our drum and percussion repair blog here.
Call today for a free consultation at 774-757-7636.
New Art of Drumming Program Launched
– A live performance and slideshow-driven historical presentation on the invention and evolution of America’s own drum set during the various musical eras of the 20th century….with a twist….
Watch Tim’s 3-minute program video preview by clicking here.
Recent Reviews:
Tim did a family drum circle followed by a program for adults on the history of drummng at the Monson Free Library and Reading Room Association last week and people haven’t stopped talking about it! Everyone was engaged! The adults are begging for their own drum circle so we are having Tim back in the fall for another round of 2 drum circles this time! Highly recommend his programs!
Tim Kane is both a fabulous, A-1, five-star drummer and a fabulous, A-1, five-star person. If you’re looking for a drum teacher, a drummer for a professional gig, or someone to lead a drum circle, you absolutely could not do better than Tim. We are lucky to have him as drum instructor at Eagle Hill School, where I teach.
Titled “The Art of Drumming”, veteran Drummer and Educator Tim Kane’s professional powerpoint presentation combined with live demonstrations takes audiences on a well-researched journey into the rich American history and evolution of the drum set; explores early pioneers of the drum set by men and women of all ethnicities and backgrounds; and details the instrument’s incredible rhythmic influences upon jazz, blues and rock music from the Civil War through late 20th century eras.
Beginning with Massachusetts-based Noble & Cooley Drum Company’s first field snare drums used by northern regiments during the Civil War, Tim unveils the origin and architecture of the All American-created drum set, which was inspired by early immigrants at the turn of century. From there, audiences begin to witness the drum set evolving into its present-day form via the BeBop and Swing eras, World War II influences, Prohibition times and Speakeasies of early Blues in Chicago, and when standard rock music began entering the fabric of popular music in the 1950s through 1980s.
Interwoven between the evolution of the drum kit design driven by a bevy of musical changes and listener demands, Tim discusses top drummer influences and how those musicians set the table for an amazing growth in US drummers and innovations by drum companies that continues to this day.
Tim’s main presentation is enhanced with a special, more intensive hands-on drumming workshop for interested audience members who want to become fully immersed in the world of drumming. On this stage, participants are taught to play actual Djembe hand drums themselves and learn how to compose their own patterns using some of the early rhythms presented during the drum set discussion.
The total program – in educational partnership with international manufacturer Vic Firth Drum Sticks – lasts two hours, including a question and answer period. Audiences walk away with a better appreciation of the drum set’s contributions to American music and it often inspires them to explore drumming on their own. If your program, facility, school or club is in need of a powerful, live music and rhythmic-based historical presentation covering much of the 20th century, then please contact Tim today to learn more.
For bookings or more info, please contact Tim at: 774-757-7636, tim@kanedrums.com, or look him up at www.kanedrums.com.
Thank you for reading this.