I've never been the quietest of people, as my parents have always reminded me.

So the opportunity to spend an evening playing huge drums with the Malvern Samba Band had a certain appeal.

However, after spending an hour at the band's rehearsal in West Malvern Village Hall, I realised that playing Samba music is about much more than that.

It is about rhythm, listening and working together.

After chatting to band members Sam Ware, Becky Lowe and Jane Evans, I was given the chance to try my hand at drumming.

I was harnessed up to the medium-sized of a set of three drums called surdo, with a diameter the length of my arm. Just holding and positioning the instrument, which is surprisingly heavy, was a skill in itself.

We began by playing a simple samba rhythm and I was shown how to use the palm of my hand, as well as my fluffy-ended drumstick, to create a beat.

I'm not the most rhythmic of people, but with concentration and listening to what everyone else was doing, I found I could just about keep up with the others, and that just four of us made a very impressive sound.

Sam, who joined the band five years ago, said the sheer volume of the music could be incredible when all 12 members were playing and earplugs are in regularly use.

"It's outdoor music," said Sam. "It's lively and energetic, and makes people want to dance."

He explained that there were many different types of samba rhythms, stemming from the different regions and influences in Brazil.

"There are Portuguese people and African people in varying proportions along the coast of Brazil, bringing along influences from whichever part of the country they were from. Brazilian music is the oldest dialogue between African and Portuguese people.

"Someone told me the word samba comes from a word meaning belly button. Apparently, people in Brazil used to sit around the fire, drumming on the logs. Someone would dance in the middle and, when someone else wanted to dance, they would show their belly button.

"The person would then stand up and touch belly buttons with the dancer, to start the dancing. Samba is a music for dancing."

I wasn't entirely sure I was ready to get my belly button out, especially not on a cold windy night in West Malvern village hall, but Sam was right about the music. Within no time, I found myself tapping my foot along to the beat.

The band owns a vast array of bizarre instruments, including drums and bells in all shapes and sizes, which are used to create a rich, layered sound.

"Some bands are dedicated to playing only original music from Brazil. We are not that kind of band," said Sam.

"We also have an influence on the music now and we play what sounds good to us."

The band rehearses every Thursday at West Malvern Village Hall and plays at festivals and events around the country, including this summer's Big Chill at Eastnor.

Becky Lowe, who has been a member since the band started nearly six years ago, said: "I saw other samba bands playing at festivals and loved the sound. So when I found out they were going to start this one, I joined up."

Becky, who plays the smaller of three drums, called the centriador, said there was no reason why someone with no musical experience should not join the band.

"As long as you listen to what everyone else is doing and you are with people who are willing to help you learn, you can pick it up quickly.

"We're always looking for new, young members to join us."

I thoroughly enjoyed my short time with the band and left the rehearsal with the feeling that I might be returning.

Anyone wishing to join the band should contact Sam Ware on 01684 540909 or turn up at rehearsals at West Malvern Village Hall on Thursdays from 8-10pm, from the end of January.