Miami drums

The other night, I shared with my friend Keith the petite Kalimba that I have at home. He’s an excellent sax player, and he was amazed by the simplicity and subtle tone of the Kalimba. Seems that the Kalimba’s big uncle is the African instrument called Marimbula, later adopted by musicians in Cuba, the Caribbean and all over the Americas. I found and excellent description at Wikipedia. So all sorts of Kalimbas produce unique and interesting sounds. My Kalimba is made out of a coconut, and I found a very interesting one, down at Africantreasures made out of a sardine box! It’s imported from Burkina Faso, and recycled out of a happy sardine customer.

Pictures were taken at the drumming concert by Jan Sebon, last night at Sheba Restaurant

Linguistics is not the only way of communication. All animals have a way to comunicate to each other in some way or another. Agreed, some of them can only communicate basic instructions as fear, reproduction or territorial bounds.
What music means to each individual ? Why not everyone likes certain style of music, or certain rhythm ?. Is it all link with our culture and pop-culture?
What about healing someone with music vibrations ?
[“While many hospitals across the country send new mums and babes home equipped with discs of classical music to soothe and gently stimulate babies’ tender minds…”] Link to Amazon
Perception of music and vibrations are a natural aspect of our condition as humans, and we react to them on diferent ways. Many Shaman practitioners use drumming for healing purposes.
Seems that energy is contain in everything that is around us. Vibrations and music are not exceptions to this rules, so it doesn’t seem so wierd to be able to heal with music.
I came across Toby Christensen Website, where he’s portrait as a Shamanic Drum Master. Many say that we have the power of healing, but at the same time, that many create their own illnesses. Perhaps drumming is a wake up call to our soul, and a balance between our emotions and vibrations!
Keep on drumming! 🙂

What better way to learn something than experience it ? They say that travelling is the only way of real discovery. Tam Tam Mandigue Website has this wonderful trip to learn drumming in a drumm camp at Conakry, Guinea. The idea is just fantastic. I imagine a cultural assimilation also from a country with a wonderful history on drumming and music.
You can find out more about the Drum trip for 2007 at this address.
The cost is about US$1750 (1450 Euros) for a month, they have an alternative, smaller, course of three weeks. Price doesn’t include airfare, so It’s a good time to star looking for a roundtrip Miami – Conakry.

That’s what Djembefola means.
The website list some events up in Ireland. It has some very nifty flash movies to teach you Abondon and Kuku rhythm patterns. By far, I think the flash video is better embeded to the website, so, it becomes very useful as a learning tool.
Still amazes me the cultural delight for drumming, perhaps the most antique music expression constructed by humans. People from all over the globe feel a similar connection while creating music.
Salu2

On Buddy Helm’s Blog, I found an interesting article discussing the way North American players had transformed the African style into a more relaxed one. Click here to read it Where African masters teach a more powerful approach and with distinct Djembe three sound separation, later adopted by American users as a simpler 2 sounds.
Altough both people have a point, I feel like the entire discussion revolves around the player’s goal.
When I started playing drums, back when I was 15, I was told the ‘proper’ way to hold the sticks, and the ‘proper’ way to sit in front of my set, and eventhough I found it arbitrary at first, having a good technique, allowed me to progress and try to find a voice on my playing. Some players focus on speed, others on power, some others prefer to do a little less than most, and play with the silence as well as with sounds, I found those to be the best. Nevertheless, I think that each player has a quest on his hands everytime he/she plays.
Salu2

Browsing trhough the ocean of sounds and vibration online, I got into Rootsy Records A very interesting percussion website. On the first page we can read the phrase: “The Djembe is our bridge to peace“. That’s it! Finally!@… Folks, an alternative to frustrating conference calls, meetings and bridal showers. Play your Djembe and listen to other people play!. No more Mambo-Jambo, Chit-chat or small talk, communicate yourself with your Djembe! 🙂
Rootsyrecords not only teaches you about Djembe rhythms and their African roots, it has a nifty option to wacth videos on the subject. The page sells hand made african Djembes, CDs, shirts and other instruments.
It’s a great way to maintain and spread African musical culture, dancing and forgotten traditions.
They have some interesting videos on youtube.com – Nice African background 😛

While looing at Youtube.com, I found this extremely interesting video from the Chicago Djembe Project
It sounds very nice and have a nice art direction – Check it out

After buying Buda, my little Djembe, from Harold, an old villager at St. Elmo Village, I got back home looking for more than the drum circle at the beach.

Don’t take me wrong, I really enjoy the first 5 min… it’s very easy to end up with just a lot of noise 😛
That’s why I started this blog. I wanted to find out more about drums and music down in South Florida. Post places where people can get education, and information about the subject.
Next Saturday I’m starting a Djembe class with Professorslap down in Hollywood at The Goddess store.
So stay alive.

Salu2