Drums

On our arrival we listen to the drum orchestra practicing – getting ready for the following days recording.

Here is a very passionate drum group from Korea. Kim Duk Soo playing the hourglass drum in this video was the founder of this genre of traditional Korean drumming called Samul nori (Samul meaning four objects and nori meaning to play). The group consists of the Kkwaenggwari (a small gong) a Jing (a larger gong) the Janggu (an hourglass-shaped drum) and a Buk (a barrel drum similar to the bass drum).

Here is a brief look at a couple of the indigenous percussive instruments we used on Mark Riley’s latest recording – the Ipu Heke and the ‘Ūlili.

This Cambodian drum is used to lead the Khmer orchestra in “Pin Peat” music and is called the Skor Samphor. It is barrel-shaped with two heads, one slightly larger than the other, played with the palms not sticks.

The Ghatam is a clay pot percussion instrument used in the Carnatic music of South India

Having spent a lot of time in the States over the last few years, I have been fortunate enough to see many wonderful styles of playing. The drumming that has influenced me big time comes from New Orleans and is known as second line drumming. Here are some players warming up before an event. Thanks Marc Heinen from Holland for finding me this clip.

Another instrument that we recorded for the Garlands for Ashes CD. This unusual instrument of 16 tuned gongs made of brass has both higher and lower tuned versions.

A simple brass instrument used in folk ensembles in Cambodia.

I was very fortunate to see Yelemba d’Abidjan at Womad when they recorded this clip. I had never heard of the group before seeing them and they were the highlight of the festival as they used cultural dance and costume to bring their story to the UK.