“Seemed to me that drumming was the best way to get close to God” ….. Lionel Hampton (American vibraphonist and bandleader).

The drum is one of the oldest known musical instruments, being played in various forms by nearly every people group in the world, producing a huge variety of sounds fashioned in many shapes and sizes, the drum provides the foundation to most traditional and modern day music.

For over 4,000 years drums have been used in many diverse situations, e.g. in religious celebrations, for sending signals or messages, on the battlefield during the Civil War, to help African slaves overcome the boredom of hard monotonous work, storytelling in China, carnivals in Brazil, healing, dancing, and entertainment.

The words that describe the sounds emanating from this instrument are as varied as the application: powerful, primitive, rhythmic, and resembling the heartbeat.

Drummers as fit as footballers ….. listen to BBC report here. ♥

For more info re. Martin’s touring and recording projects and all things drummy www.myspace.com/lovelyboyneil

You can find info and pictures of drums, percussion and sound makers, just click on link below pictures.