Yanvalou and Abakuah in Lake County, California

This is starting to sound pretty good!  Dave, DJ and I really had a good lesson with Dave Noland, our teacher.  Ok, we’re still beginners but we cranked up our Abakuah tonight and it was really cooking.  I think we got there partly because we took some time to really warm up the parts with some in-unison practice, all of us playing the same part together until we felt comfortable.  Personally, I’d be happy to start each session this way.  I felt it grooved us in together and got us warmed up at the same time.  As beginners we probably need a little extra time woodshedding the basics before we try to coalesce into a  unit in which all the different drum voices truly support each other.  Honestly, it was the best we’ve played together and I think stressing the basics first really helped out.  Hey, we’re looking for more hands!  You in?