The concept of drums is as old as mankind. A drum is called a membranophone, or an instrument that creates sound by striking a stretched membrane with some type of object, usually a rounded stick.
At the festival Batucaxe', a percussion ensemble, will play Brazilian rhythms and music with both traditional and contemporary ties to the native country.
Two groups from the area, Mari Kaneta, sensei of the Suzuyuki-Kai School of Classical Japanese Dance and Odaiko Sonora presents fascinating Japanese Drum performances to an intrigued festival audience.
Tariq Rasool and the Songhai Drummers add to the nostalgia of drumming that takes place at Tucson Meet Yourself as well as the U of A Steel Drum Band.
The hollowed-out area of the drum is called the body. A membrane stretched over the end of the drum, and tuning keys or pegs which tighten or loosen the membrane to achieve different tones. While most may think that the body of the drum produces the sound, it is in fact actually the membrane and its vibration that creates the sound when struck. Drums first appeared as far back as 6000 BC. Several wall markings found in caves in Peru show drums used in various aspects of societal life. The American Indians used gourd and wooden constructed drums for their rituals and ceremonies. Drums have always been used for more than merely creating music. Civil uses, messaging, and religious uses are but a few. |
