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Drums

Healing drum?

By DrumsNo Comments

I have many stories where music has played a part in bringing healing. I remember reading a book called “The Healing Drum”  written by Yaya Diallo many years ago. In the tradition of the Minianka, music is a remedy for both physical and psychological imbalances. 

Recently I read on the BBC web site “Musician Simon Lee, from Kent, is called on to teach drumming to patients with problems ranging from addiction to autism, and learning difficulties to mental health issues. He has even offered help to terminally ill patients needing palliative care. And he says the results are amazing.” Check out the rest of the article here.

22. July 2010
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Cook Island drumming

By Drums, Oceania3 Comments

It just happened that one of the exponents of Cook Island drumming was doing a workshop that I was able to sit in on. Dr. Jon Tikivanotau Jonassen, a Rarotongan by birth, who has toured internationally with the famous Betela Dance Troupe. He has developed a unique way of notating the rhythms from the Cook Islands. It was wonderful to meet him and hear his perspective on drumming Pacific style. Below is an example of the unique Cook Island playing.

Check out more pictures/video …… Read More

22. September 2009
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Hawaiian instruments

By Drums, OceaniaNo Comments
Pahu

Check out some of the traditional instruments that we used on Mark Riley’s recordings.

This is a pahu drum used in hula. I have seen two versions, a short one used in Hula (pahu hula) and a taller one, often called a temple drum (pahu heiau) apparently used in religious ceremonies. They play it with their fingers or hands or both. It is made from the bottom of a coconut tree or breadfruit wood and in the past often the skin was made of shark, nowadays hide and plastic are often used.

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21. September 2008
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Korea

By DrumsNo Comments
05 Korean Drummers

Korean drums ….. Samulnori is a traditional percussion music which originates in Korea. Nori means ‘to play’ sa means ‘four’ and mul meaning ‘objects’. I believe it was a music that celebrated a good harvest amongst farmers in rural villages. Read More

5. August 2008
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Tahitian drumming

By Drums, OceaniaNo Comments

15thFeb-20th Vancouver, Washington. www.forwardedge.org

 Then on to another missions conference (where Martin and Mark led the music) with Forward Edge International. We heard many stories from Tibet, Sri Lanka (Tsunami relief) and Louisiana where they are doing restoring and repair work after the hurricane damage. Since the catastrophe they have sent around 55 teams southwards to help.

23rd Jan.-15th Feb Hawaii www.markrileymusic.com

 A wonderful time with Mark and his family, on the island of Kauai, looking at new songs and ideas for his next project. Martin got to sit in with a Tahitian drum group to learn more of their music, and coached one of the local football teams. If you have not heard the wonderful toerre drum being played …. then check this clip, amazing team work. The core group will be 3 log drummers each playing a different interlocking rhythm.

You can also check out some photos from a festival of Tahitian music ♥

19th-22nd Jan San Diego

 A return visit to the City of Refuge San Diego, to catch up on all their news. It is run by an incredible couple called David and Christine Dewitt who have an incredible capacity of compassion for those who are in need. You may remember that we have been there many times before and, as usual, we were involved with their daily life and work, as they continue to bring hope to those in despair. It was amazing to see how all their building work had been completed enabling them to feed and care for so many more people.

28. February 2006
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Drumspeak

By DrumsNo Comments

MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERAJerry Chapman hand-crafts First Nation style drums and whilst visiting he allowed us to use his instruments and joined me playing percussion on a couple of the conference evenings. They both spend some of their time taking musical teams onto Native American reservations.

  • Kit used with Jerry Chapman's Native drums
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  • Jerry Chapman's Native drums
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  • Playing Native American flute
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14. April 2004
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The Heartbeat of Music

By Drums

The drum is one of the oldest known musical instruments, being played in various forms by nearly every people group in the world, producing a huge variety of sounds fashioned in many shapes and sizes, the drum provides the foundation to most traditional and modern day music.

For over 4,000 years drums have been used in many diverse situations, e.g. in religious celebrations, for sending signals or messages, on the battlefield during the Civil War, to help African slaves overcome the boredom of hard monotonous work, storytelling in China, carnivals in Brazil, healing, dancing, and entertainment. Read More

2. June 2001
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