Percussion
Borrowing a Percussion Instrument
The Musical Instrument Lending Library is a collection of instruments that can be borrowed for free with a valid library card. The collection is located at the Millennium Library. Ask staff for assistance retrieving the instrument you want to borrow.
The Winnipeg Public Library has a selection of various percussion instruments. This guide will help you find resources for these instruments:
- Bongos
- Cajon
- Djembe
- Doumbek
- Glockenspiel
Suggested Catalogue Searches
Electronic Resources
- Naxos Music Library This link opens in a new window
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Take video courses to learn how to play various instruments and learn music theory, composition and music production. Simply search for the instrument you're interested in playing or enter browse the section on music theory.
Selection from our Collection
Online Tutorials and Useful Websites
Bongos
- Al Dworsky - YouTube - Lessons from the DVD Bongo Grooves for Beginners (3 volumes)
- Bongo Drumming with Trevor Salloum - YouTube - A three part series
- Drumming Rhythms - YouTube - by World Drum Club. Introduces various drumming rhythms from around the world
Cajon
- Cajon Lessons with Heidi Joubert - YouTube
- Cajon Groove Guide - YouTube - Cajon tutorials and cajon jams for inspiration
- Al Dworsky - YouTube - Lessons from the DVD Cajon Grooves for Beginners
- Play Cajon - Offers free cajon lessons and articles. Many videos are also available on YouTube
- Cajon Expert - Advice on how to play the cajon, including position, posture, strokes and tones, and more
- Drumming Rhythms - YouTube - by World Drum Club. Introduces various drumming rhythms from around the world
Djembe
- Djembe Rhythms - Hand drumming lessons and notation for the djembe
- Dancing Hands - Collection of rhythm scores and notation, with audio clips when available
- West-African Rhythm - Provides rhythm and notation information
- Live Drum Rhythm Audio Clips
- Al Dworsky - YouTube - Lessons from the DVD Gentle Djembe for Beginners
- Drumming Rhythms - YouTube - by World Drum Club. Introduces various drumming rhythms from around the world
Doumbek
- Jas's Middle Eastern Rhythms FAQ - Overview on the traditional Middle Eastern rhythms, including audio clips and notation
- Quick and Dirty Guide to the Doumbek - Contains tips for beginners and a list of basic Middle Eastern rhythms ('The Rhythm Guide')
- Arabic Maqam World - Includes information, notation and sound clips of Arabic rhythms
- KarWil's Darabuka - YouTube - Doumbek lessons
- The Art of Arabic Drumming by Trevor Salloum - YouTube - Taken from Mel Bay's The Art of Arabic Drumming DVD
Glockenspiel
- The Glockenspiel - For a good short description of the instrument with information on its construction, history and musical characteristics
- Keyboard Percussion Lesson Playlist - Introductory lessons on the use of keyboard percussion instruments
Content for this resource guide was generously provided by Vancouver Public Library