Premier Percussion

The African Djembe was said to be created in the 12th century; it’s considered one of the most versatile and boundless drumming instruments on the earth (Drum Africa). A Guinean drum that is played throughout Africa that is known to resemble the figure of a woman with it’s round upper half, small waist, and large lower half is called the Djembe drum. This unique drum was created by Blacksmiths from the caste Manlike in Guinea; with its exclusive sound spectrum the djembe produces a strong richness in pitch. The drum is played bare handed, the skin of the djembe consists of goat or antelope and the open mouth shape of the barrel originates from that traditional grain grinder (Mullins, Leslie Marie). It has been played by West Africans for generations assembling an internal part of ceremonial life in Mali, Guinea, Senegal and other neighbouring West African countries. The creative sounds of the Djembe come are formed by striking various areas of the drum with bare hands (Drum Africa). The skillful drum is described as a “goblet-shaped” instrument. It’s body is sculptured and rounded from an individual piece of tree trunk. Traditionally, the Mandinka people used wood from Lenke trees. The Lenke trees held great spiritual significance to the Mandinka people, but also provided the drum with its acoustic sound. The vast bowl-shaped chamber in the higher level of the Djembe body delivers the low resonance for the bass strokes, whereas the shallow extended lower section contributes…

As the school year progresses, Thomas Jefferson's extra curricular programs continue to display their hard work for the students enjoyment. During the boys’ basketball game on January 4th, against Westminster High School, TJ’s drumline did just that, bringing the audience musical enjoyment in an unconventional way: by using buckets. After months of continuous practice, the drumline, led by band teacher Robin Johnson, was ready to perform a few songs as a halftime show. In preparation for events…

The earliest form of music that came into our world was called the Drum-Based Percussion instrument (Hollis). These instruments of rocks and sticks were used in religious ceremonies that were known as representations of animals (Hollis). It is known that by 4000 BCE the Egyptians created the Harps and Flutes, and also by 3500 BCE instruments called Lyres and Doubled-Reeded Clarinets has been founded and created (Hollis). Almost all of the Indians and Africans had been using some of these…

Steel drum music has the ability to move an audience like no other type of music. From the first note, the songs exude a happiness from within each pannist. Even with the slower pieces, you can close your eyes and imagine yourself in a tropical surrounding. The AISD concert, conducted by CJ Menge, which took place April 14, 2012 certainly did not disappoint. The concert was performed in Austin, Texas and featured steel drum bands from seven middle and high schools in the area. The first piece,…

It is hard to picture the Beatles without Ringo or Led Zeppelin without Bonham. These drummers many not be front and center, but they are the back bone to the band. And without the Drum set these drummers would have never been. Jazz or Rock n Roll or Pop music wouldn’t be the same without the invention and evolution of the drum set. The drum set took over a century to become what it is today. The drum set is an American instrument and through its development it has reflected the way America has…

orishas during the ceremony. These three drums are Iya (mother), dedicated to the Orisha Yemaya, Itotele (father) dedicated to Oshun, and Okonkolo (baby) dedicated to the orisha Chango. Iya is the largest drum, followed by Itotele and finally Okonkolo is the smallest. Each of these drums are made sacred by going through a specific consecration ceremony which may only be attended by males who have had their hands wash to play the drums as well as the Babalawo (male priests of Ifá). Although one…

Melissa Hirokawa, who is the owner of Living Spirit Therapy and a board-certified music therapist, sings to a woman who is in end stage Alzheimer’s. The woman with Alzheimer’s, named Dorothy, starts to react to the music almost immediately. Dorothy starts to smile, and even sing and dance with the music being sung to her. This is an example of stimulative music, because the upbeat tempo of the song encouraged Dorothy to dance and move around. Sedative music, however, is a key part in helping…

was a struggle but I willingly joined because if I was not hauling up a synth to the band room, who would? My boyfriend Will thrust the registration form in my hand the day he received an extra copy. My brain rushed through all the possibilities in marching band. The experience had a euphoric essence in my mind when I envied over my new friends. But I had two concerns: The first being that I’m not a very skilled or experienced musician, and my other concern was the cost and time commitment.…

The music of the caribbean counterpoints revolves around folk, ritual, and dance hall music in a new mode. Out of the chapter the “most important aspects of Candomble and Macumba as the main links to samba, the national dance of Brazil”. Africanisms show their emotion in brazil by a traditional dance and this takes place in Rio de Janeiro in the south where there’s colorful carnivals. The taditional music and dance of the Orixas, which consist of three drums which have three elements of music…

In comparison to how early percussion was performed and how musicians of the percussive arts are viewed upon today is almost an opposite perspective. In the medieval era of music, percussionists and parts were most definitely not used as much as which the other instruments were written for. The use of percussion back in this era were only written if the composer felt the percussion parts were a necessity for a piece, and if they were included in a piece, the parts were normally improvised. With…