Learning to an African beat

Chinese teacher rallies colleagues to spread the word

Watching a group of Chinese children playing the djembe, an African hand drum, in a park in Shenzhen is an uplifting experience.

The ups and downs of the beat and the exotic rhythm produce a variety of sounds, presenting a vivid picture of Africa.

For Zeng Liming, the djembe teacher sitting among the children, the instrument is not just a spare-time activity but a life-long choice.

"I find spiritual sustenance in teaching djembe, and have a lot of fun," says Zeng, 50, believed to be the first professional teacher of the instrument in Shenzhen.

"It has opened a new chapter in my life."

Originating in West Africa, the djembe was first used for important gatherings and ceremonies. For players it is not just a sound maker but a symbol of getting together and of peace, reflected in the instrument's name (Dje means "gather" and be means "peace").

The goblet-shaped drum, a part of African culture for centuries, has gained popularity in China in recent years. Shenzhen, in addition to being home to a large contingent of djembe aficionados, also has many teachers of the instrument. Zeng moved there in 2006 and discovered the drum three years later.

"It was spring, and I was strolling in Central Park. The sound of the drum drew my attention to a group of djembe players. I then started watching djembe performances live and online."

Zeng, with a master's degree in chemistry from Wuhan University, differs from many of the djembe's enthusiasts in China, who are or were music students. His musical interest comes from his parents, both keen students of Chinese opera.

After buying his first djembe, he used online resources to teach himself.

In 2010, a djembe player from Africa was invited to teach the instrument in Shenzhen, and Zeng was one of his students. Within a year his skills had surpassed those of most other players in Shenzhen and now he is said to be one of the top three players in the city.

"With the teacher's help, my djembe playing improved a lot. I then came up with the idea of starting a djembe class, not only to broaden the instrument's popularity, but also to encourage other players to become teachers."

He now runs a djembe shop and can often be seen and heard playing in front of the building.

"I wanted to establish a new style of class totally different to the master class," says Zeng, adding that a master class is held in Central Park, a residential compound, once a year, and that it is ill-suited to most players. The master-class teacher usually asks students to learn a complete song in a few days, and for those who lack basic skills that can be discouraging, he says.

Zeng says his classes are held at all levels, from basic class to senior.

"In my first class, the African teacher told me that anyone, no matter where they come from or how old they are, can become a good djembe player relatively easily as long as they have good hands and are willing to learn."

Some of his friends who used to play the djembe in Central Park took his classes, and they play in a square near that venue almost every day, attracting large audiences, he says.

"There is no advertising, and no online recruiting. All we do is play the djembe in the square. If someone is attracted by the sound and is brave enough to ask about learning to play, they are the students we are looking for."

Most of Zeng's first students in 2011 were children to whom he provided djembes and lessons free. However, he found that because of a lack of motivation they eventually gave up and he is now charging for lessons.

As with all musical instruments, the key to mastering the djembe is practice, he says.

"I usually provide different teaching content for different students according to their levels. It takes students a year to learn the basics if they attend lessons twice a week and practice every day."

He gets players and students together every weekend so that they can get to know one another and play together.

Luo Zihong, 10, who has studied with Zeng for about a year, says: "In addition to classes, I usually practice 10 to 20 minutes at home every day. With others, I can now play a complete song."

As soon as Luo finishes speaking, he asks his teacher and partner if they can play something together. The performance lasts about four minutes. The three djembes produce powerful sounds that attract many passers-by to stop and watch.

Luo first got to know the djembe when he lived in Egypt, where his father works, and took lessons. He lived there for three years and returns to the country during summer holidays.

"The instrument has a strong sense of rhythm, and it's not very difficult to learn. Although my hands are numb and painful after 15 minutes' practice, I will keep playing the djembe."

He has also begun to play the drum ensemble.

"He really has the skills," Zeng says of Luo. "Next year I'll teach him how to play a complete song solo."

Another student is Nicole Luederitz from Germany, the only non-Chinese student in the class.

After graduating from Berlin University with a degree in Chinese studies, Luederitz came to China to continue studying at Wuhan University. In the summer of 2008, she came to Shenzhen and heard about the djembe class there.

"I have been interested in African culture ever since I was a child. I played the djembe in Berlin but never had systematic study. So I didn't want to miss this opportunity."

Luederitz, who works as an art teacher in Shenzhen, started taking lessons in May, and after the summer holidays began the more difficult and demanding second phase of study.

"I bought a djembe here and practiced frequently. I want to play the djembe all my life."

She would love to go to Africa and play the djembe with other players there, she says.

After the interview, Luederitz carries a stool from Zeng's shop to the square, preparing for her class. Zeng and his students are all sitting in a circle, under a tree.

"The main reason we play outside is that I want to take my students back to nature, especially for the children who are obsessed with computers," says Zeng, adding that it is good for the players' ears and to get a breath of fresh air when they play the djembe outdoors.

Zeng says his job is to help his students pass the basic study this year. Next year he will switch to teaching an advanced class, and some of his experienced students will end up being teachers.

"I hope that in that way we can cultivate more djembe teachers and get more people to take lessons."

Chen Wenli contributed to the story.

lingjingcd@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily Africa Weekly 12/06/2013 page26)