What makes us fall in love with the instruments we play? For myself, the feel of drum skin beneath my fingers - the vibrational feedback that creates resonance. I never get tired of the delicate intricacy of a drum I am playing, the warm familiarity of tone and timbre. Every drum is unique, the sound evolving depending on temperature and humidity or the space around us. This is joy.
#drums #mindfulness #instruments #hands #touch #joy #sound #musicians #photography
Back in the early 2000's LP (Latin Percussion) released a fibreglass shelled 'talking drum'. The fibreglass shell made it loud and durable - great for live playing. However, it was a recording conundrum due to the unpredictable "squeaking" caused by the flexing of the aviation-grade wires used to flex the tone of the drum. This noise could best be described as the sound of a door creaking in a horror movie. You just never knew when it was going to #squeak!
Homemade percussion rattle made from tin lids. Rich in tone and texture, they move like a wriggly snake.
The beauty of found sounds.
#rattle #instruments #percussion #foundsound #photography #blackandwhitephotography
Shiny bits and delicious wood grain. This is a tumba, the largest and lowest tuned of the conga drum family.
It is not a bongo. Nor is it a table to put your coffee on.
Guaranteed that at every gig someone will ask "can I have a go on your bongos" 😂
#congas #tumba #drums #notabongo #livemusic #instruments #LP
The assertive heartbeat of Samba comes from the surdo. Like a warm embrace from a friend the sound of batucada lifts your soul and says "all is well" - just move your hips and dance!
Sources of inspiration. I realise that my creative passions feed each other. Poetry inspires music; music creates a canvas for spoken word; photography captures moments of reflection. The intersection of lines in this landscape makes me think how rhythm can interplay in curiously satisfying ways. The winter chill of the colours is warmed by the sunlight on the grass. Inspiration is everywhere, all of the time.
#inspiration #mindfulness #music #rhythm #landscape #creativity
Every landscape has a unique sound. The movement of this grass in the wind sounded like chattering voices whispering in a strange language. Landscape is often an inspiration for composing music. Rhythm is everywhere around us. Melody floats in unusual places.
#flatlands #composition #inspiration #landscape #photography #naturesounds #mindfulness #sky
Old lids from baby food jars make a wonderful rattle! A sound like bamboo bones on a summer evening! The world is an instrument!
#simplicity #instruments #handmade #sound #recycling #percussion #photography
Surdo. The heartbeat of Samba. A delicious, warm thunder.
#batucada #samba #music #percussion #drums #Brasil #Brazil #red #photography
My house is full of instruments. Instruments are like friends, on a journey through life together.
#instruments #music # congas #percussion #caxixi #creativity
