Ghana Drumming Tours - ethical, responsible, community based tours
A detailed itinerary is given on the left.
After transfer to Hohoe in Volta Region, close to Lake Volta, you can balance your time between drumming lessons in the gardens (see pic below) and day trips outside.
You will learn Ewe drumming styles including Bobobo and Agbadza. The preferred instrument is the Kpanlogo drum, which is played by hand similar to a Djembe.
Above and below - the gardens of the Drumming Centre with a chalet in the background.
Drum makers in Accra - Djembe, centre, and Kpanlogo drums either side.
Information for Drummers
Position and Technique - The kpanlogo is played from a seated position, with the drum between the legs and angled away from the lap slightly. The kpanlogo can be played using the djembe or conga techniques, but the Ewe have a playing technique unique to the kpanlogo. There are five basic sounds which are all combined to create the unique kpanlogo sound:
Bass - cup the hand with the fingers firm and close together, bounce off the center of the head
Tone - strike the head with the index finger, the 3rd knuckle making contact with the rim of the drum
Slap - strike the head with firm fingers, the top of the palm making contact with the rim
Mute - with firm finger tips strike the drum. This sound should be "dead", without a tone
Muted Slap - place one open hand on the drum head and "slap" with the other, creating a high pitched crack.
If you watch an experienced adowa or kpanlogo player you'll notice that they raise and lower the drum with their legs as they play. This changes the volume of the bass and tones, allowing the player greater versatility in creating the complex intonations and phrases common to Ewe music.
