Voices from the Nations

Cook Island drumming

September 22, 2009

It just happened that one of the exponents of Cook Island drumming was doing a workshop that I was able to sit in on. Dr. Jon Tikivanotau Jonassen, a Rarotongan by birth, who has toured internationally with the famous Betela Dance Troupe. He has developed a unique way of notating the rhythms from the Cook Islands. It was wonderful to meet him and hear his perspective on drumming Pacific style. Below is an example of the unique Cook Island playing.

Check out more pictures/video …… [click to continue...]

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Hawaii

September 21, 2008

Hawaiian pahu drum.JPG

Hawaiian instruments Check out some of the traditional instruments that we used on Mark Riley’s recordings.

This is a pahu drum used in hula. They play it with their fingers or hands or both. It is made from the bottom of a coconut tree or breadfruit wood. The top is made of shark skin.

You can listen to sound bites here.

[click to continue...]

Ipu Heke [ 0:07 ] Play Now | Play in Popup
Pu'ili [ 0:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup
Uli'uli [ 0:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup
Ili'ili [ 0:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup

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Tahitian Instruments

September 1, 2008

To'ere log drums.JPG

I have really enjoyed learning Tahitian log drumming from a master player in Kauai. Tepairu Manea also makes Polynesian instruments, you can check out his stuff here. On Mark Rileys new recording we used a To’ere playing a traditional Tahitian rhythm as a foundation for one of the new songs. [click to continue...]

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India

August 10, 2008

Jamming with the locals in a music shop, Hyderabad, India.JPG

India ……. Here are some of my traditional Indian instruments and some we picked up on our travels to Andra Pradesh. We had a wonderful encounter jamming with the locals in a music shop, Hyderabad, India.

[click to continue...]

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Cambodia

August 8, 2008

Samphor and Skorthom drums.JPG

Khmer instruments, Cambodia

In Phnom Penh, we went to an amazing shadow theatre. Here they used a Samphor drum and two Skor Thom drums ….. a type of bass drum.

[click to continue...]

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Korea

August 5, 2008

Korean Drummers in full swing.jpg

Korean drums ….. Samulnori is a traditional percussion music which originates in Korea. Nori means ‘to play’ sa means ‘four’ and mul meaning ‘objects’. I believe it was a music that celebrated a good harvest amongst farmers in rural villages. [click to continue...]

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The Gambia

August 1, 2008

Dressed for the occasion.jpg

The making of Mandinka drums (The Gambia) ♥ During my visit with the Mandinka people of The Gambia, I was very fortunate to see the complete process of making a drum, from the choosing of the wood to the finished article.

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