Instruments Archives - Voices from the Nations

Basque music – the txalaparta.

The txalaparta is a specialized Basque percussion instrument made of wood or stone. Juan Mari Beltran was born in Donostia-San Sebastíán and is one of the most prominent figures in this Basque folk music. He started playing the clarinet at the age of 11 and also played another interesting Basque wind instrument, the txistu. At the age of 16, he became a member of the folk music ensemble Argia. During his musical life he has worked with many folk musicians, including “txalapartarik”, or txalaparta artists.

26. August 2025

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A new rhythm – Bossa Nova

By Martin NeilBlog, DrumsNo Comments

One of the first Latin rhythms I had to master as a young drummer when playing cabaret nights, was the bossa nova. Developed in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s in Rio de Janeiro, the literal Portuguese translation is “new trend” or “new wave”.

Known by some as the “Father of Bossa Nova” Brazilian guitarist Joao Gilberto was pivotal in coming up with this original take on samba. His classic 1964 recording with Stan Getz, titled Getz/Gilberto, brought bossa nova to a worldwide audience and the magazine Rolling Stone included the recording in its best albums of all time.

The unique sound of the Oud

By Martin NeilStringsNo Comments

I want to introduce you to an instrument that my friend Steve is learning to play as he spends 6 months of the year in Greece – and it is stretching his very knowledgeable musicality. The oud has an incredible history stretching back thousands of years to Ancient Persia, Arabia or elsewhere. Around the 1300’s the medieval lute appeared in Europe differing in nature as it had frets and a larger neck unlike the Arabic version – no frets and smaller neck. There are different types of ouds such as the Arabic oud, the Syrian oud, and the Turkish oud. This video takes a tour of the instrument and the wonderful musical scales that give it it’s unique sound.

21. February 2024

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It is said that anyone that is not well and feeling bad and anyone that is mourning, the sound of the drum will revive them and make them happy.

Peter Le Claire – Ponca tribe and the sound of the drum

30. October 2023

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Fujara – the Shepherd’s flute

By Martin NeilWindNo Comments

This unique instrument called the Fujara <foo-yah-rah> can be as tall as a man and was originally used by shepherds. It was played whilst tending their sheep in remote pastures in the mountains of Podpol’anie, Slovalia, guiding their sheep and communicated to other shepherds across the mountain slopes. Read More

21. November 2022

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Tonbak drum – Iran

By Martin NeilAsia, DrumsNo Comments

A very interesting documentary about the young drummers in Iran, who are keeping the ancient tradition of tonbak (Persian drum) playing alive.

9. July 2022

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A song for the newborn in the Indian whistling village

By Martin NeilVoiceNo Comments

Many of you may have heard me tell the story of ‘the song of the child’. A singing tradition amongst the Himba people. Here is another beautiful musical practise from India. Every time a baby is born in Khongthong village, (a place nicknamed the whistling village) a tune or sort of melodic whistling is composed by the mother and given to the child – a unique sound that will be carried for the rest of their life.

22. April 2022

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History of the Mi’kmaq percussive Ji’kmaqn and the Ko’jua chant

By Martin NeilDrums2 Comments

Having spent time with the Mi’kmaq I was fascinated to find this video about the ji’kmaqn, a uniquely made percussive shaker. In the past this instrument was illegal to use or own. This video helps tell the story and remind people of the part it has played in Mi’kmaq culture.

22. April 2022

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Buffy MacNeil – Somebody Pray

By Martin NeilDrums, My StoriesNo Comments

Honoured to be part of Canadian singer Buffy MacNeil’s recording project – Voices of the Silenced of Residential Schools. This video “Somebody Pray” is part of the project that began to unfold in January 2021 when Buffy MacNeil envisioned the ways she could support the health and well-being of Indigenous youth. She hopes to release an album which will support the creation of a youth care and advocacy centre in the community of the Paq’tnkek Mi’kmaw Nation.

31. August 2021

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Umoja

By Martin NeilDrums, My StoriesNo Comments

It’s about time I hear you say! Well here it is my first solo percussion piece. Umoja is a Swahili word that means unity, togetherness, union, oneness and harmony – Enjoy!

Nigerian Drummer who set the beat for US civil rights

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-53985119

2. September 2020

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Virtual Drum Jam

By Martin NeilDrumsNo Comments

Drummer John Hendrickson from Kansas City took a drum idea I had captured on video and played his own wonderful part to the original groove. During this season of ‘being home’ it is exciting to see the incredible creative ideas that the internet allows us.

19. April 2020

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Choir of Sameba Trinity Church in Tbilisi, Georgia

By Martin NeilMusic that inspires, Voice4 Comments

This is the beautiful Sameba Trinity Church choir in Tbilisi, Georgia. Basiani. They are having their Christmas meal and in a spontaneous moment sing a Christmas Carol – Alilo of The dawn ( Tsiskris Alilo) by Vakhtang Kakhidze. Worth a listen.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1SPGWqjsBwT74X8Q

19. January 2020

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Walking Buffalo Singers

By Martin NeilDrumsNo Comments

Incredible drumming and singing at the 60th Annual Eastern Shoshone Indian Days Powwow on the Wind River Reservation in Fort Washakie, Wyoming, from the Walking Buffalo Singers from Big River Saskatchewan, Canada. A new generation of young singers – most related to the original group who recorded three albums.

23. June 2019

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Native Drums

By Martin NeilDrumsNo Comments

A wonderful few days with Jerry Chapman from the Stó:Lō Nation. He is a very creative builder of Native drums. We met many years ago when I was asking an event organiser if there were any Native drums that I could use and Jerry was passing by at the time and remarked “I have a van full of drums.” We have been friends ever since. Seeing the drum set-ups I have used with drums from around the world on a rack, inspired him to use deer antlers for hardware and experiment with different sizes and shapes for Native drums.