African Songs and Drum Beats introduces a one-year programme of West African drumming and song. This is taught by Sierra Leone master drummer, Zozo Shuaibu, and is offered by Cumbria Music Service as part of the First Access instrumental learning initiative at KS2.

This digital resource supports the school-based workshop sessions.

Unit design: Zozo Shuaibu and Kevin Hamel
Performers: Zozo Shuaibu and Sam Maitland
Video and Still Photography: Chris Holmes

‘Working with drum patterns involves the use and development of aural and temporal thinking. These learning modes have their own languages and sets of skills – similar to visual and verbal thinking. Some students excel in aural and temporal activities who otherwise face difficulties in the learning approaches emphasised in conventional educational settings’ The Algebra Project