about zwar

[zwar]

Ho folks

I just got through the postings i put here, recognized my first posting is not to find. It was something humbly introducing myself to the forum, years ago, when I took a first sight in here. Probably my mistake, I am not very skilled in using internet tools.
So I hopefully try again.
Zwar is my artist-name, full name is bertram “zwar” witte. I now live in germany 45km from Kassel (in the center of germany) on the very countryside. My village counting 33 souls (if everybody here has got one…)
I started with music I think 1967, six years old, learning classic guitar. Later I began playing flute, then piano. With 14 I got in contact with some Bongos. Nobody to teach me how to do it, I just tried on my own. Years after that I met nana feo. He gave first lessons in african rythms. He introduced me to the okonfo kawawa then, who trained me for about 6 years first in Germany, then in nigeria. I found myself deeply involved in westafrican tradition, mostly busy in spiritual music, like tigari, agbaja, achan, kpele, aladura, aweyo, and to relax playing kpanlogo, gigbu…something like that. So my roots of drumming are in africa. Nevertheless, one day I tried congas, in the late 80s, went out on the latin music, started not only to play traditional african stuff, but percussion and conga in different bands, sometimes for longer periods, often “percussion on request”. A few years I was able to live just from the money I earned by making music, gigs and teaching. Then my twins were born. I retired from stageperformance, from time to time giving lessons and one or two gigs the year. Since about two years, children grown up now, I am on the scene again. I am suffering of a lack of musicians in my area, all the percussion music here stucks at beginners or intermediate level.
Makes me somehow sad to see, I am the only maniac, willing to play as long as necessary to get things done, ready for stage or recording.
Playing as percussionist in “normal” bands is not that big a challenge.
The real thing I mainly have to do on my own.

Anyway, didn’t want to bother you, maybe I just had too much wine.

Blessings

zwar

[35-1169066129]

Hello Zwar,
Just want to comment, your a true Musician at heart,I myself have some of the same thoughts you have...
Have a great day!

[deadhead]

I am suffering of a lack of musicians in my area, all the percussion music here stucks at beginners or intermediate level.
Makes me somehow sad to see, I am the only maniac, willing to play as long as necessary to get things done, ready for stage or recording.

Maybe you need an apprentice? A percussionist with a resume such as your own should have plenty of knowlege to share. Maybe find a young aspiring percussionist in your area that you can pass all of your years of training on to. It will certainly keep your chops in shape plus you will get the satisfaction and pride of sharing your gift with another. Maybe make a few extra bucks on the side too .

[pavloconga]

Hey Zwar,
Good to hear about you. I was in Germany in 2003 visiting girlfriend at the time and I didn't play drums for 2 months! I was wanting to hook up with drummers but couldn't find any to play with.

I passed through Kassell, I remember thinking it was very beautiful place. I was on the way to Goetingen just north of there. Have a similar perc background to you, studied in west africa a few times and familiar with some of those rhyms like Tigaree and Kpele. They are awesome when played by the complete ensembles. Im now much more into congas. Well, if I come your way again maybe we can hook up for a jam.
cheers
Pavlo
p.s. is a good idea as deadhead says to pass it on, maybe some workshops and teaching? I always learn a lot and get inspired whenever I have done that.



Edited By pavloconga on 1173575984

[zwar]

ho #1a, deadhead and pavlo,

thanks for your answers, i totaly agree, that teaching others means teaching yourself as well. i gave workshops and lessons for about 15 years. the problem is, most of the beginners are completly new to any music and start with handdrums, believing it was easier than playing other instruments. after some time, when realizing the need for practice, many of them leave (too difficult) or even worse: stay (but do not practice). other students - mainly in weekend workshops - come with somehow queer esoteric ideas about trancedancing and shamanism.
nothing against that, but the topic is a bit more (and as well a bit less) complicated, than people here think. anyway, to use theese ritual forms of music, all the instruments (be it shekere, bell, blekete, talking drum, voice or whatever) must be played with routined stability, in order to provide a solid ground for the dancer.
what of course means even more need for practice.
shortly said, it was not always very satisfying giving lessons, and the kick for my ego (being the boss in the shop), did not last for long.

and, pavlo...or somebody else
if you are in the kassel area, no problem to pick you up.
we have too many drums here, some bottles of wine and beer, a big coffe-pot, plenty of cigarettes, enough space and time, being noisy is no problem, even making some recordings would be no big thing.

so just send me an email

ah...hablo un poco espanol tambien...



zwar

[35-1169066129]

Hello Zwar,
Hope your week is going great!
I remember when I was a beginning Conga player,I wanted to jump on those conga's so bad, but ,No way!,
My Teacher-You learn the clave first 3-2 =2-3 -son ,rumba,6/8..and then the bell parts... Ok I said, not wanting to upset the guy that was teaching me, for 2 years ,thats all I did . Back then was hard for me to understand. I know now why it is important to learn the clave and bell parts first, I could understand the Drum parts SO MUCH BETTER! In Relation to the Dancer's.
I was schooled the old way, THE RIGHT WAY!
Have a good week Zwar!
P.S. Cant forget about the Bombo and Ponch'e which is Important too.



Edited By #1 A on 1173728117