This is the story of how I came to join the WD1 Cajon class in Believer Music.
I recall my first impression of the cajon when I first started drum classes in October 2018 at Believer Music. The cajon just looked like a regular box to me. So I thought to myself: "Now that's one instrument I will never be paying money to learn." How wrong I was...
Fast forward to early 2019 after one of my drum classes with our drum coach... My classmates and I were packing up and getting ready to leave, and our coach was preparing for his next class for the Cajon.
Leng: "Coach, why don't you show us a bit of what you teach in cajon class?"
Coach: "Ok" (proceeds to play 5-6 seconds of a 16-beat cajon rhythm).
Joy: *jaw drop* (internally thinking "OMG THAT SOUNDS SO GOOD". Wondering how on earth can I possibly avoid learning cajon after hearing such amazing sounds produced in those seconds).
Not long later, I came across a short clip of our coach playing cajon with some of his students (instastories maybe?). It sounded like noise. I breathed a sigh of relief for finding a reason to avoid learning cajon. 😂
Time passed, and I have been taking guitar lessons concurrently with my drum lessons at Believer Music. I also started practicing guitar and keyboard at BM with two friends, and found the lack of a drumbeat extremely unnerving during our practice sessions. So the thought of learning cajon crossed my mind again. It just so happened that evening that another coach just finished teaching his ukulele class, so we decided to ask him for help:
Joy: (carrying cajon to ukulele coach) Coach, can you give us a 30-minute cajon trial now?
Coach: (incredulous) 30 minutes?! 1 min can not?
Joy: Ok!!! 😄
I think it was already closing time, but this coach was super kind and gave us a condensed 10-minute cajon trial and also demo-ed cajon for the song "We Don't Talk Anymore", which sounded awesome!
I attempted to sign up for Cajon WD1 September 2019 intake. No one signed up for my timeslot. Oh well, Cajon is put on the backburner again.
Fast forward to November 19... I am browsing through the keyboard class timings for a friend and suddenly came across a Tuesday 2 pm Tampines branch class for Cajon WD1. I am momentarily bewildered to see the schedule of a cajon class that I can possibly attend during my lunch hour. I immediately took a screenshot of the page, encircled the timing and made a mental note to ask the front desk staff about it.
The next day during lunch hour, I ran down to Believer Music to check if this is a real ongoing class. I think God knew which counter staff I needed... Thank You, Lord Jesus. 🙌
Joy: "Is this a real class with real people?" (Points to screenshot on the phone)
Front Desk Officer: "Yes!"
Joy: "...you didn't tell me!!!"
Front Desk Officer: "So sorry Joy, we should have informed you."
She is so sweet for apologising for something that wasn't her fault, but she is so nice ❤
So although I have already missed two lessons for this class, I am so excited that I can learn Cajon that I signed up on the spot without thinking about how to catch up on what I’ve missed. The front desk officer very kindly made arrangements for me to have make-up lessons with the coach on the coming Sunday. A very efficient coach covered two lessons in 40 minutes on that Sunday. Thank you, coach.
Two days later, I attended lesson 3 and I am so happy and relaxed in that lesson. I love the content of my cajon class. Another 2 days later, I can play the cajon during my music practice with my friends! The cajon and the guitar sound so wonderful when played together! It is so fun, and I am so happy.
Joy Neo
I enjoyed the Believer Cajon Program as my coach was dedicated in his teaching and was genuine in the sharing of his own testimonies as we went through the course materials. The lessons are relaxing and we learn to play a new song every week!
TEH LING SAN, JOLYN
一直以来，就很想学钢琴，所以我时常祷告上帝，要是你让我有机会学习，我一定事奉祂. 在在去年11初，上帝垂听我们的祷告, 让我们找到了就在我们家附近的Believer Music school. 我和我先生先亳不考虑的先后报名参加了Cajon及天程音乐电孑键盘课程。
虽然我们没有音乐基础，年纪也老迈，但我们很感谢我们的 Cajon和电子键盘教练，他们很有耐性的教导我们，也时常鼓励我们参与教会事奉, 並建立我们的信心。
感恩。在九月，教会的中秋布道会中，我们居然能在台上事奉我们的神。我弹钢琴，我先生拍cajon, 我们的小组献唱。一切不可能的都变可能。感谢神奇妙的作为。
腓4:13 我靠著那加给我力量的，凡事都能做。
Tan chok wah
Who should sign up for this module? Am I eligible for signup?
You are eligible for this module if you have:
i) No knowledge of playing the Cajon, hand drums OR
ii) Wish to relearn the fundamentals of playing hand drums especially for rhythmic feel. This will help you to develop your playing further.
NOTE: Should Believer Music Coaches find any student mismatched in any particular module, we reserve the right to transfer the student to another class after the first session to optimize the learning experience.
Is there an age limit?
We accept registrations from ages 8 and up. However, we strongly advise students aged 8-10yrs to meet with our coach to assess their suitability for the course. Call us at 6323 0304 to arrange an appointment.
We will also channel students to classes of compatible age groups whenever possible.
But I know nothing about music!
This step-by-step course is designed for total beginners who have absolutely no prior knowledge in music or the Cajon. Individuals who attended other beginner courses but are still unable to play confidently and effectively are advised to join this Primer Module. What you are going to learn here is going to be fun, powerful and practical for worship application.
What can I expect to learn?
You will be equipped to understand fundamental music theory for reading musical scores. This will eventually lead to documenting your very own rhythmic patterns. Playing along with the backing tracks every week will offer essential experience of playing in a band, while developing a firm rhythmic feel along with a consistent tempo.
Is it FUN?
You'll get to meet people who share the same passion. Learning to play a musical instrument is highly rewarding because it leads to growth in a music-spiritual dimension. Learning to play the Cajon is more than fun. It's life changing. We all know of people around us whom we think have successfully learnt to play the hand percussions or the drums reasonably well. With practice, this skill will stay and enrich not only your lives but also the lives of people and family around you (and generations to come). For many of us who are just starting to pick up this unique skill, believe that the journey is well worth it.
I am a Music/Church pastor; I'd like to include a subsidy for my members.
We make it possible for you to track whoever signs up for the course and even include a subsidy appropriation. Are you interested in equipping and mobilizing the cells under your care in regards to worship? Please contact us for an appointment. We'd like to share with you how this Cajon program can mobilize your cell ministry members and raise the level of worship involvement.
