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Afrika Green

@affygreen

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PhD student by day, pop drummer by night
Researching drumming for well-being
Home of Producer Vs Drummer 🥁
Ready to Learn the Drums?👇🏽

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I can barely believe it…I finished the first year of my PhD!

It was quite the year, with many major highs and lows.

SOME CHALLENGES I FACED…

• Commuting 3.5 hours each way to campus Sometimes starting at 4am.

• Sacrificing… a lot. Like taking a huge pay cut and stepping down as a Pop Kid after 9 years with the Pet Shop Boys.

• Being a first generation post-grad and constantly feeling behind and questioning whether or not I was in over my head.

• Running V̇O2 max tests out of a state of the art sports performance lab with temperamental equipment and barely knowing what I was doing at first.

• Being a 35-year old staying in a dorm with uni freshmen over a very long month of data collection 😂

• Trying to prepare for my progression review (that determines if I can stay in the program) in a backstage tent at Reading and Leeds with 2 hours sleep.

WHAT I LEARNED…

• When the path isn’t laid out in front of you that’s really scary and it’s ok to be scared, just keep walking.

• Growth is slow it’s almost unnoticeable so you have to trust yourself even when you feel like you aren’t making progress.

• Don’t be afraid to ask questions, even if they feel silly. It’s better to understand than try to fumble your way through. And if people judge you that’s on them.

• You will feel like you suck at new things at first but if you keep going at some point you’ll surprise yourself with how much you know and can do.

• Don’t panic- it’s waste of valuable energy and thinking space. And when you do you can always breathe and remind yourself that you’re always ok and things will work out (even if it doesn’t feel like it). This one I’m still working on everyday.

• I think… I LOVE RESEARCH.

A shoutout to my supervisors @professordraper and Dr. Lizi Smith @liz_boy_ for supervising me and supporting me ALOT.

To my partner @gia.goodrich who’s been by my side from the jump. I’m so grateful for your love. Thank you for always using your immense talents to support me and lift me up.

E.G. photos, videos, and editing, branding, and creative strategy @gia.goodrich 💕 Picture of myself Affy Green laying down amidst textbooks, in ears, drums, and a computer in a messy scene with a title of “PhD year 1 done” taken in Gloucester, Gloucestershire by @affygreen

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a year ago

It’s been a minute….

Wow, so much has changed in the last year and I’m excited to finally share it. The transition from full-time session drummer to full-time PhD student was no joke.

But I’m back and want to get back to connecting with you, playing to ridiculously hard tracks for you, and hopefully getting you excited to play yourself.

If you’re feeling generous, say a little ‘hello’ in the comments. I’d love to be reminded that Instagram can be a fun and kind place even after a long absence 💜

Thank you so much @petshopboys for such an incredible run and for helping to shape me as a musician and person. @bubbamcc1 I couldn’t think of a better human for the gig, I know you’re already smashing it!

#sessiondrummer #phdstudentlife #drumsfromscratch by @affygreen

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a year ago

Producer Vs Drummer #9

This was tomtastic!!!

🥁Want to Learn the Drums?🥁

I’m working on a Neuro-divergent friendly program for beginners and I’m really excited about it. Just type “WAITLIST” and I’ll send you the info on how to get updates and early access!

#kanyewest #drummer #instadrummer #producer #femaledrummer #girldrummer #drums #rap taken in Bury St. Edmunds by @affygreen

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3 years ago

Pssst I’m streaming live drum lessons over on @twitch 🥁

Where else would you like me to stream drum lessons? 👇🏽. #drumlessons #learndrums #femaledrummer #streamer by @affygreen

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a month ago

#jasonarday #rip #academia #poem by @affygreen

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2 months ago

🌷Tulip cam of the important women in my life 💐

#tulips #spring #family taken in Norfolk by @affygreen

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5 months ago

The data doesn’t lie…🫣

This challenge was a blast and it was fun seeing the new updates @melodicshq have going on.

BUT REALLY THOUGH

You have to let me know who you think won this one. I’m smh with the “it’s easy.”

And if you want to try Melodics you can save with code: AFFY-20

Drummer vs. Melodics Winner taken in Suffolk, United Kingdom by @affygreen

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5 months ago

That’s me 30 years ago sitting on the steps of Dr King’s birth home after the tour. Even then aged 6, I knew the importance of this man’s activism on my life and my families lives. Being Mixed-Black, and having roots in South Carolina, it’s a lot to reflect on what our ancestors endured and it makes me proud to be a part of such a rich history. #mlk #mlkday #mlkjrday #africanamericans #blackhistory taken in Atlanta, GA by @affygreen

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8 months ago

THIS SATURDAY!!! 12/13

I’m doing my DFS intro workshop and I’d love to see you there!

Even though this fall has been wild, and I feel a bit like I’m dropping more plates than I spinning, I wanted to make time for this.

Currently, I’m going through my analysis and reading what participants have said about their experiences learning, and it’s so heartening and inspiring to see the impact it has had on them.

So if you’re drumming-curious or want a soft reentry after a long time away, I’d love to have you at our workshop this Saturday. It’s going to be fun, supportive, and I can’t wait to connect with you!

🥁Comment “SIGN UP” and I’ll send you the details!

#learntodrum #drumsfromscratch #metime #maincharacterenergy by @affygreen

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10 months ago

@katebushmusic That Pagan Pump got me good….

#musician #beat #funny #katebush taken in Suffolk, United Kingdom by @affygreen

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10 months ago

Coming for @timbaland and he had me sweatin’😮‍💨

@ludacris serving the best vocal stims in the game. This one was one of my favorites to do.

WHAT CHU GOT IN THAT ROOOOOOM?! taken in Suffolk, United Kingdom by @affygreen

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a year ago

BTS of Session Musician Life

Yesterday I was asked to head to @schoolfarmstudios to record two tracks and film a part of a pop production masterclass for @philhardingmusic and Present Day Production.

It was a great day and I learned a bit more about micing drums from @stefano.civetta and Phil, which was really cool. I also got some solid creative direction on the tracks from Graham Lodge of @junglestudiosuk and Phil.

All in all it was a great day with a huge creative team, which is always inspiring.

If you have any questions about session work drop them below, I’d love to share anything I can!

@westyonbass and Ray Uren, it was a pleasure jamming with you.

Creative Strategy & Content: @gia.goodrich

#femaledrummer #sessiondrummer #sessionmusician #bts #instudiosession taken in School Farm Studios by @affygreen

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a year ago