Drumming Soothes the Soul

By Tanya Woo

Thione Diop.

It's a drum shop by day but by night it is the home for the Fremont Drum School, where participants recently sat in a small circle with drums held between their knees listening as Bill Matthews talked about the difference between a djun djun and a djembe drum.

The occasion was the visitors' first drumming class. In one hour Matthews successfully taught everyone to play almost as though they had done so all their lives.

"I loved it," said Seattle resident Melanie Reed. "It was like dancing. I was amazed at how my whole body got involved, it was a whole body experience."

"It's quite soothing," said Madrona resident Chris Campbell. "Got me interested in drumming."

A couple of years ago Matthews walked into a music store trying to sell hand painted T-shirt drum designs. Little did he know that a simple T-shirt design would allow him to befriend the store's owner and become enamored with drums.

"More than anything it's like meditating or dancing," Matthews said in reference to drumming. "It's pleasant and satisfying."

He studied with various teachers and meet many people from the developing drum community, which Matthews describes as "spiritual." "The drum is inseparable from the culture," said Matthews, who since has studied percussion in Cuba, Haiti and West Africa. "There is a built-in community aspect no other instrument provides."

The store's drum-instructor position opened up, which provided a perfect opportunity for Matthews.

"My love of drumming and background of teaching was the magic formula," said Matthews.

Soon his teaching schedule grew to the extent that in 1995 he decided to start a school and a drum shop. Today he teaches six levels to about 90 students, four nights a week. He describes his class as very close-knit, with participants getting together after classes or going on retreats. "I've had about five marriages within class," Matthews said. The Fremont Drum School also features guest instructor Thione Diop, a master drummer from West Africa who has been living in Seattle for two years.

"It's my life; I love it," Diop said. "In my house everyone plays drums." Diop not only teaches but also has his own band, called Yeke Yeke, which means "joy." The band features West African drums and plays original songs Tuesdays from 9:30 p.m. to midnight at the Bohemian Cafe in Pioneer Square. The band is composed of friends who meet in Seattle wanting to share with the community their love of drumming.

Matthews also organizes a monthly event called "Let's Drum and Dance," featuring percussion bands and an Africa-inspired dance class in a smoke-free and alcohol-free environment. This event allows beginning drummers to play alongside professionals and for family members to enjoy themselves through dance and drums. The next event is scheduled for August 19 at the Nippon Kan Theater in the International District from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m.

Tanya Woo is a student in the University of Washington School of Communications News Laboratory.

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