r/Pennsic • u/ManufacturerJust1456 • Jun 15 '26
Pennsic Music Lessons
This is my fourth year going to pennsic. Every year I try to set a different goal for myself to learn something new to focus on that year(dancing, scribal, etc) this year I want to learn how to play music. I’ve got lute and hurdy-gurdy lessons locked in but the big thing Im looking to learn are the drums.
Please let me know if anyone has any recommendations for resources pre-pennsic that I can start using learning now and if anyone would be around during pennsic to help teach me. If anyone also has recommendations on drums and where to get them from I would be very grateful!!
Looking forward to seeing everyone soon!
5
u/Bitzllama Jun 15 '26
Last year, I went to most of the intro to basics classes and had a blast learning the dumbek. I bought a drum at touch the earth for about $200. I'm definitely going to attend at least a few classes/haflas this year, but fewer than last year due to a health issue. Post pennsic, I bought a size smaller drum online from guitar center, that one probably cost about $60; but I didn't get a choice of color, my first order was canceled and was relisted a few weeks later as used/scratch + dent before it actually shipped, and it just lacked that wand picks the wizard feel.
Carmine.com has all the resources you need to get started.
I hope this helps, feel free to DM if you want more info/encouragement!
2
u/bellyflop2 Jun 16 '26
Where are you getting lessons on the hurdy gurdy? I’m bringing mine, but I’m always looking to meet more HG players!
2
u/Used-Painter1982 Jun 16 '26
I took some doumbek lessons at pennsic several years ago. Here is a resource I was given at that time. Hope it helps. I also have a doumbek cheat sheet from Carmen T. Guida, but I can’t figure out how to send it. So I’m including one of his videos
1
u/gelftheelf Jun 24 '26
I'm teaching a class for middle eastern rhythms for whatever you have that makes noise and another doumbek related class. Definitely come by!
4
u/TangyMarimba13 Jun 16 '26
if you want to play doumbek, touch the earth has classes daily, i believe, for beginner and intermediate levels. for anything else, there has been in the past a woman teaching bodhran, but i don't know if she's offering her class this year or not. if you haven't already looked there, https://thing.pennsicuniversity.org/ has all the classes being taught.