Search - Ultimate Beginner Have Fun Playing Hand Drums: Djembe, Steps One & Two (DVD) on DVD

Brad Dutz Videos on DVD

Liz | 11/21/2003

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I got this DVD from my husband and when I saw it was the Brad Dutz VHS videos that were transfered to DVD I told him to return it!! The listing on Amazon is misleading because there is no mention of who teaches the drums. I actually owned the first VHS video Have Fun Playing Hand Drums Part 1 The Djembe and was truly disappointed. just like others who reviewed the originals on Amazon. There was little to learn from the originals since the djembes that were used were more like toys."

Good for children -- not good for adults

Liz | Seattle, WA | 04/30/2005

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this dvd for myself and was very disappointed, it is truly a beginner's video. The instructions are incredibly simple/basic and might be useful to children under the age of 9, but not adults."

GREAT FOR FIRST TIMERS

Sara Francescucci | Sydney, Australia | 10/29/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I actually received this DVD with a djembe I purchased on ebay. I think it is a fantastic dvd regardless of being transferred from video. The only reason I even bought a drum was I'd heard a relative mention she likes to "play after a day at work because it relieves alot of stress". I've had a stroke so only have the use of one hand and find this a great way of easing stress and tension. The DVD is a great learners tool and I plan to teach my children, 1 & 4yrs to play also.

"

Middle of the Road Opinion Here...

Arcturus70 | In the Orion Spur of the Milky Way Galaxy | 07/29/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Well, after reading the various reviews for this product, the good and the bad, I purchased this DVD, fully expecting it to be either something that one would love OR something one would hate. LOL :) The DVD actually surprised me in this regard: I neither truly love NOR truly hate it, so I have to give the product the "Middle of the Road" Score of three stars. I will explain why...

The DVD does say "Ultimate Beginner Series," and that is a true assessment, and I'll wager the target audience. This is a very, very basic collection of djembe lessons for the truly ultimate beginners...children with good attention spans, preteens, and maybe even families or school groups who are learning together in a relaxed, just-for -fun way. Most serious adult learners would probably want something more sophisticated and meatier. Example: the instructor demonstrates basic rhythm by walking in place and counting. This lesson, however, would be helpful for people who are totally new to music and who are eager to experience an understandable rhythm that they could personally attain, especially if they struggle with body coordination. [For children who are trying to develop coordination, this product does offer a bit of practice--the multi-tasking that drum playing requires. If adults participate with children, more fun could be had--and more quality time together.] There is some merit in such a simple approach targeted for such students. The instructor seems pleasant, occasionally encouraging watchers to join in and follow what he is doing. He moves at a pace that a young child can handle without getting frustrated by not being able to perform the given action.

The DVD does look liked it has been transfered from VHS; images are not as crisp and clear as today's media viewers expect (and require). The show actually has a quirky "homemade" feel about it. The setting seems very 70's! LOL That isn't necessarily bad though. I admit at first I was disappointed since this was a "purchased" DVD, but I opted to lay aside my disappointment at the tech and listen to what was being offered--treating the product as if it had been something a friend had made for me with home equipment and editing. [I reminded myself that sometimes the more perfectly produced products can feel distance, stale, and clinical--too staged, intimidating for some learners.] So, I looked for the genuine humanness, personality, and warmth in this DVD. That approach actually worked. I was then able to listen and engage with more interest.

And that is when I found some of the DVD's stronger points: 1) the instructor emphasizes the importance of listening; 2) the instructor discusses the importance of togetherness--in drumming and play with others; 3) the instructor gives logical reasons for learning to use both hands and for not hitting drums too hard; 4) the instructor briefly discuss the shape of djembe and its amazing ability to produce variety of sound; 5) the instructor speaks clearly and re-enforces what he is saying with gestures or drum movements; 6) the instructor demonstrates how to play the djembe while standing; 7) the DVD seems to honor diversity. Young people can be seen playing with the older instructor. In the "Fanga Rhythm" segment--after the rhythm "slide / graphic" displays, peoples of all ages, stages, colors, abilities, and cultures are playing together in a lively drum circle. Each person expresses his / her drumming differently with a different type of drum; each person's presence, instrument, and sound is important to the overall music. Many percussion "voices," but one song! That, I think is the DVD's most powerful message / lesson--subtle though it may be. [What's amusing about this segment is that it looks very real / in the moment / in some sort of camp / village, and people can be seen walking around behind the drum circle.]

Other Stuff: The Framedrum performance is interesting and worth watching once. I had never seen anything like that before. The Drums form Around The World segment offered some good information and fair illustrations. I didn't like the Additional Products Previews though; the section just didn't not capture my interest; it seemed to be promoting VHS. The DVD ROM features do not work on a Mac. In fact, the screen suggested Windows 95 operating system or higher--nothing dates you like an operating system! Of course on the cover, the product says, "Cutting-edge DVD special feature sets." LOL Theoretically, a Windows user could put this DVD ROM in and access the Internet Connectivity features and worksheets. [I cannot speak to this as I was using a Mac!]

Do I think this product is worth buying? For me and mine, Yes. It is a simple, human trip into the world of djembe playing. Like the naturally made djembe drums themselves, the quirks, imperfections, unevenness, nicks, and oddities are actually part of the unique charm of a truly human product with truly human goals, the sharing of ideas. I do not regret my purchase--even though as a Mac user, I cannot access some of the elements. That's really not a big surprise because many DVD's are like that, sadly enough. :) // For those who have higher tech / visual expectations and / or meatier music needs, the answer would be no. Only you can decide!"