2 Master Drummers Going At it

We can all learn a thing or two from these guys...

Three Rivers Stadium : Opening for the Grateful Dead 95

95 was the big year.

For me, playing at Three Rivers was like finding the Holy Grail. I had spent my childhood watching my beloved Steelers and Pirates play, and win here. I spent years imagining myself playing here...

Little did I realize what form that would take.

The Benefits of Hand Drumming

Benefits of Hand Drumming
by Laurie Loeb
Reprinted with permission

The benefits (to Alzheimer/dementia patients) of these rhythm activities, in addition to providing fun, include combating loneliness and isolation; exercising fine and gross motor skills and spacial and temporal relations; stimulating cognitive skills of perception, attention, concentration and memory; exercising creativity; increasing sense of productivity, self-esteem, and empowerment. The residents also find both relaxation and energy through the activities, memories are triggered to become more accessible, and mental alertness and clarity are increased during and immediately following the sessions.

Additionally, staff and residents' families derive much satisfaction from seeing these clients, historically so difficult to engage, joyously participating and positively responding.

The most remarkable aspect of this rhythm program is the high degree of repeated and sustained participation that does not occur with any other on-going activity offered to the residents. For people who suffer from Alzheimer disease and other forms of dementia, this level of engagement is both rare and extremely valuable.

And then, for community drum circles:

• The coming together of a diverse group of people previously unknown to one another, to share a common interest and activity, and good feelings.
• A sense of collaboration and belonging, and the promotion of peace and harmony amongst the participants.
• Provision of an intergenerational and family activity in which adults and children can participate together at their own respective levels of ability.
• Provision of inter-cultural activity in which communication and collaboration can occur without words, and strangers can share innate rhythmic sensibilities.
• Accessible to all, regardless of previous experience or lack thereof. All skill levels can participate simultaneously without the need to modify any level.
• Good exercise for cognitive skills such as attention, perception, and memory.
• Gross and fine motor skill exercise, including coordination and mind-body connections.
• Opportunity to be introduced to, learn and play new instruments and musical forms.
• Opportunity for self-expression and creativity.
• Opportunity to produce one's own music, regardless of previous experience, or lack thereof.
• Opportunity for live, active participation rather than passive entertainment (stupification?) by electronic devices such as TV, computer and video games, etc.
• Opportunity for self-discovery and awakening of human potential.
• Fun, fun, fun!!!!!

Someone Tell This Guy to Take a Breath

Here's a shot of a young me holding my breath for 15 minutes while playing a set at the 1993 Great Blue Heron Music Festival I mentioned a few posts ago. I'm playing my old Yamaha kit that got destroyed in a flood a few years later..

This festival was responsible for opening my eyes to all kinds of amazing people and music. One of the common themes that seems to run through most of the artists there (especially the old time fiddle music) is that the musicians are really listening and reacting to each other. There is so much musical magic to be had when we serve each other like that...

Pictured behind me in the purple shirt is festival organizer Dave Tidquist. This guy has such a nose for amazing music. I owe him a great deal for taking RR under his wing and supporting us like he did.

Common hand-drumming-related injuries and treatments

Common hand-drumming-related injuries and treatments

Common hand-drumming-related injuries and treatments
by Kalani

Injury Treatment

Soreness in hands, wrists & forearms from playing for long periods of time or playing hard. Ice alternating with heat, motrin, traumeel cream, arnica cream, taping the fingers before playing, not playing as hard, changing one's technique, staying relaxed when playing.

Tightness in the shoulders, neck & back from wearing drums with straps and/ or leaning over the drums. Warming up before playing, deep breathing, keeping good posture, yoga, tai-chi, adjusting straps & stands to fit one's body, massage, shea butter.

Ringing in the ears from playing loud or for long periods of time. Wearing ear plugs & not playing as loud.

Blisters & cracks on the hands from playing with sticks and/or bare hands. Using hand lotion, taping the hands,using pumice to reduce the size of callouses & using "new skin" to help heal & prevent blisters. Numbness in hands from playing. Warming up, not playing as loud & rest. Soreness in feet and / or back from standing. Using orthotics (soul inserts to raise the arch of the foot and align the ankle bones with the foot and leg).

Summary:
As a general rule, most percussionists feel that warming up is an important part of practice and performance. Stretching and massage also seem to be good preventative measures for reducing injuries. As treatment, arnica is a popular remedy as is ice & heat.

An ongoing effort to improve one's technique, to stay relaxed and to breath deeply are also important factors in maintaining good health. Quick fixes include ibuprofen (for reducing swelling) and tape to prevent skin injuries.

Notes:
The above information is a summery of the input that was gathered from an internet survey of 45 drummers & hand percussionists. The purpose of the survey was to identify health issues, both injuries and remedies, that are common among hand drummers. This information is part of a growing data base of health related studies that are being conducted and compiled by the Percussive Arts Society - Health and Wellness committee. Kalani is the world-percussion sub-chairman of the committee. Additional comments and input should be addressed to the above address.

How to Get a Good Sound From Your Djembe

Bass tone
The bass tone is the low sound of the djembe. Using the weight of your forearm, strike the center of the drum with your open palm and bouncing your hand off the skin to get the best bass tone drum. Experiment with striking the drum a little off center to see how your particular drum responds. Keep in mind that each drum is unique and has its own "sweet spots".
Each stroke you play on the drum should be with relaxed muscles and motion. While doing this and the following strokes (except for the muted tone), imagine that you have strings attached from the drum to the palms of your hands. As you do this imagine these strings pulling the sound out of the drum. The head on a drum is a vibrating membrane which moves in an up and down motion. By using this imagery you may allow yourself to pull the best sound out of your drum.

Open tone (or just the "tone")
Continuing in a relaxed way, bring your fingers together as you strike the edge of the drum to create an open resonant sound. The edge of the drum should contact the fleshy part of the base of the fingers between the two joints closest to the hand. Be careful to avoid hitting the rim of the drum with the joints in your hands (under your knuckles and in the lines of you palms and hands).

Slap
The slap is a bright, popping tone. Firm your fingers and curve them slightly (you're still relaxed remember), strike the edge of the drum with the fleshy part of the hand, just below the fingers. Watch that your thumbs stay away from the rim of the drum. Let your fingers pop down and quickly bounce off the drum. To really get a strong "popping" slap. your drum head needs to be very tight. you should not be able to feel any "give" in the head if press down on the middle of your drum head.

Muted tone
This stroke is a muted Pa that creates a cracking, dry sound. Mute the head of your drum by resting one hand on it just before and during the strike of your other hand.

DrumStrong!

DrumStrong is a phenomenal organization doing great work helping to beat cancer.

The founder Scott Swimmer is one of the most passionate people I've ever met.
At age 15, Scott's son Mason was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (a rare bone cancer) and underwent many months of chemo and extensive surgeries on his leg. Three years later he has beaten it and pitches for his varsity high school baseball team. Scott's experience with his own son's battle with cancer has led him to creating DrumStrong.... The world needs more people like Scott Swimmer.

Check out more here...

Friday, February 6th, 2009, 6 p.m.

Not•So•Silent Auction

Benefiting Levine Children's Hospital

COME OUT & PLAY!

DrumsForCures presents our ‘Not•So•Silent’ Auction with music by the world renowned Brubeck Brothers Quartet (Dave's sons), Jim Donovan (Rusted Root), Jim Brock & Jim Roberts and other musical surprises (join the JimJam). With a 'knock-yer-socks-off' opening act by internationally acclaimed Vinx. Enjoy the magnanimous Larry Sprinkle as emcee.

Our ‘Not•So•Silent’ Auction will be at Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. Charlotte, NC, 28202 @ 6:00 pm, with a famous musical jam in the McGlohon Theater.

:: Fabulous hors d’oeuvres, open bar and over 100 exciting silent auction items including signed Lance Armstrong jerseys and posters, Willie Nelson, Mickey Hart, Stephen King and other celeb. autographed items, vintage wines, travel, restaurant & spa packages, 'Meet & Greet' Mickey Hart, premium Dead tix, a rare dw Timeless Timber drum kit and MUCH more.

:: All proceeds benefit the Levine Children’s Hospital cancer research and clinical trials programs.