Have you ever wanted to learn how to play percussion instruments such as the congas, bongos, doumbek, etc.? Is the closest teacher in your area too far to reach by car? Well now you can learn here how to play hand percussion in a variety of styles including Afro-Cuban, Afro-Puerto Rican, Middle Eastern styles, etc via Skype. You can also learn how to implement these styles and instruments in genres such as pop, jazz, rock, folk, indie, etc. In addition to learning how to apply hand percussion in various styles you can also study how to apply them in worship. Learning hand percussion instruments such as Latin and Middle Eastern drums can seem intimidating to the aspiring musician. I fully understand this and strive to apply the most user friendly teaching techniques. You can take lessons one at a time, or monthly. I utilize an HD webcam and audio equipment to ensure clear communication (This is provided only on the teaching end. While I do not provide a camera, I do offer a discount for the first couple lessons to offshoot expense of a camera provided the student does not already possess one). If you are interested but have never used Skype, have no fear, I will walk you through all the necessary steps to get what you need. Below is an example of what is offered  in the curriculum:

Conga, Djembe, & like hand drum:

-Basic tones: open, bass, muff, slap, mute, etc.

-Basic rhythm patterns: Latin, pop/rock, etc.

-Improvisation

-*Worship application

-Soloing

Auxiliary Percussion:

-How to be creative with the use of shakers, wood blocks, etc.

-Creating your own percussion instruments for use in band, studio, etc.

-Cowbell/bell, & clave patterns

One of the hardest things about learning an instrument is finding a teacher that suites your learning style the best. Although I can not guarantee that is me, what I can say is that I am a strong advocate for patience, and positive motivation through every step of the students journey. Whether you are looking to learn the instrument from A to Z or just have a few questions please do not hesitate to reach out. I look forward to hearing from you and being a part of your journey! God bless you and heaven smile upon you!

William

I have been blessed to receive great press and airplay for my latest CD “Flor de Vida” around the country as well as overseas. I felt really blessed when I found out that “Flor de Vida” was aired on the “Azucar y Candela” radio show on WXDU 88.7FM  in Durham, North Carolina. Don’t get me wrong, I am not bitter over any lack of support here locally; in fact I have received some great support locally. I just thought it was really neat to get airplay from a DJ/journalist I admire. In life we may not agree on everything but I do believe it is important that if we have a message we feel strongly about that can touch lives then we ought to engage culture and show our appreciation.

DJ Santa Salsera has recently reviewed and aired Salsa and latin Jazz artists such as Chembo Corniel, and Miguel Zenon to name a couple. To be added in the mix with such great artists is humbling, but what is even more precious to me is that WXDU is in my own back yard (relatively speaking) on the campus of Duke University. Aside from having a legendary basketball team, Duke, with the help from awesome DJ’s like Santa Salsera, also fosters diversity in culture and is an asset to the community of central North Carolina. Duke University also happens to be the location in which the CD photo shoot for “Flor de Vida” took place (the Duke Chapel…no wonder why I was also excited to receive such great support from their…smile).

Sylvia Pfeiffenberger (DJ Santa Salsera) is a journalist and lover of world music. You can check her out on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000369767419.

Below is a photo of Flor de Vida feature on the popular site El Watusi and the album of the week pick at Solar Latin Club

http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/percussion-instruction/id303492612

Join the thousands of others who have benefited from this resource or contact me for individual lessons via Skype.

http://williamjohnsonmusic.com/?page_id=2

CD will be available for shipping August 2, 2011

“Flor de Vida” will be available this July. A single from the album

has been released however and is available on itunes at

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/flor-single/id446396865
The song is titled “Flor” and features Luis Conte, Alberto Salas, Mark Faine, & Willie Bradley

Hello everyone! i just wanted to post again about the new jazz album coming out this June! It is going to be a fusion of latin Jazz, jazz, rock, new age and world beat. I am very excited about all of the tracks and how they are coming together. Michael Parlett, an internationally acclaimed saxophonist and flutist from London (he has recorded and performed  with Darlene Zsech of Hillsong, Najee, Norman Brown, Eric Benet and many others), has helped me to produce an amazing track to express the joyfulness of life and how fleeting it is. So far there are at least three Grammy award winning artists and four other internationally acclaimed musicians that have contributed to this project. It is not my ultimate plan to create just another latin Jazz or great world music album but to express with this style of how fleeting life is and yet how eternal and holy God is. God is the creator of all these wonderful textures of music and they are to be used to express his greatness and bring glory to the wonderful name of Jesus. Most of the tracks are instrumental and it is my prayer that they will be used as a prayer, meditation, and evangelistic tool to this generation! More to come soon!

Pure Mix Studio

Raymond Robinson in concert with Robin Mark

http://www.christianflute.com

at jack Britt highschool, Hope Mills, NC

This past October I had the wonderful opportunity to perform with friends at Jack Britt highschool during a Hispanic heritage program. I always enjoy doing such programs. Not only are they a lot of fun, but more importantly it often gives me an open door to interact with the students and share with them the things that are most important to me such as my faith in Jesus! To see more photos go to the gallery page under cultural programs. I am blessed to have the opportunity to perform and teach in the public and private schools however it is something I would love to do even more often!

Kimberly & David

The last blog I wrote I stated that I was going to go backwards a couple months to catch up on events however I feel the need to start this recap of the 2010 Heartbeat for Worship before it gets too late. There are so many things that could be said about this year’s event. It feels like though, that it just went by too fast. The whole night I almost felt like I was in a dream. As surreal as it felt however it truly was real, and so were the beautiful moments leading up to it.<!–more–>

Heartbeat 2010 almost did not happen, but I chose to push and walk on the water this year. I can say that I am truly glad that I did. Many new friendships and exciting doors have been opened in 2010 and I am enjoying the journey of life as I pursue God’s heart on a daily basis. It is easy to place a title on an event and make it a ritual, but to keep something fresh and innovative is another thing.

It started with the amazing camaraderie  amongst the musicians, sound technicians, photographers, videographers, stage workers etc. I was so touched by the emotion in all of the brothers and sisters who had been a part of the event in the past and how they reacted when they reunited in the building. Some flew as far as California while others drove hours to arrive at the venue. What brotherly love was displayed in the hours prior to the actual event. Their were men and women from diverse backgrounds. Whether it was red hair with freckles or dark skin with dimples we all just got lost in the sea of love that is hindered by no man’s stereo type!

When it started it was just surreal…

More to follow… next week!

In the moment... in the presence...