Cool Stuff #1
This first video is of Brent Lewis performing on the only existing set of 22 melodic drums, tuned to the piano. He has done intensive studies of African tribal music, including studying under Mr. Kwasi Badu of Ghana, Africa. He combines tribal rhythms from around the world to make his own unique musical style.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5l_1cVODYas
This second video is of a Native American hoop dance. It was originally a healing dance with just one hoop. I find the symbolism of the circle interesting in that it depicts a continuation of life from one generation to the next. It is also interesting to me how the circle as a symbol shows up in many cultures, the wedding ring and mandala as examples. What this fellow can do with many hoops is amazing. The music to which he is dancing is typical of the Native Americans. There is a repetitive descending vocal line of (possibly) vocables, backed by a steady drum beat.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2fedpR7LSg
This is a video bio of Arvel Bird. There are many videos of him and his band on YouTube, but I thought bio was the most interesting and gave the broadest range of his music. He is of Scottish and Southern Paiute ancestry, and his music combines both, as well as Country and Rock. Because of growing up during a time of prejudice against Native Americans, his Paiute roots were suppressed. He later went back to them and are a major part of his life. He plays the fiddle and Native American flute. Though string instruments are not commonly found among the Native Americans, I did find examples of an Apache fiddle. It has one string. Both the string and the bow hair are made from horse hair. To see one of these fiddles, check out http://orgs.usd.edu/nmm/AmericanIndigenous/875/ApacheFiddle875.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCXkSthGM7Q
It's fascinating to me how music plays a role in so many different cultures in the healing process. It would be interesting to see if we could integrate some of these Native American healing songs and dances into our music therapy practices :)
ReplyDeleteThe video of Brent Lewis and the melodic drums is awesome. I noticed the long bell looking things below the drum. They were all of different lengths, and so I guess it would make sence that this is how he could pitch a set of drums. It sounded a lot like video game music to me. Specifially donkey kong. I really enjoyed the video.
ReplyDeleteThe 22 drums are really interesting, and I love the hoop dance. Wonder if the folks at the YMCA ever thought to turn hoop dancing into the latest workout craze?
ReplyDeleteI couldn't get your third link to load--always be sure to check before and after postings to make sure the links work. And it would be nice if the final url address had actually been a link, too--easier for your reader, which makes it more likely that they'll follow it.