Drums echo life’s rhythms
Sep 29th, 2008 by spaceagesage
This weekend getaway to the San Luis Valley of Colorado included a taiko drum presentation by the Shumei International Institute of Crestone, Colorado. This was my first live performance of taiko, and I was amazed at the artistry in both the drum music and in the drumming actions themselves. Using different motions — as if slashing with swords, pounding hammer-like, and gently tapping — the drummers created a range of sounds both heard by and reverberated in the listener.
In piece composed and performed by Koji Nakamura, the drummer flowed like class-5 whitewater over the drums, beating multiple drums in rapid, eye-popping succession. Working to imitate the feel and soul of both thunder and lightning, Nakamura made seven drums (one is not visible in the photo) rumble and roar almost constantly. Having several large drums reverberating at the same time in a flurry of rhythm takes your breath away!
We all have blood flowing to the drum beat of our heart — a constant, but often ignored internal rhythm of life. Sometimes the drums of life lift our spirits and make us dance and laugh; other times they beat a mournful sound. They say some people who are not like the rest of the crowd march to the beat of a different drummer. I like the rat-a-tat-tat of the woodpecker on the trees to remind me that there is a drum beat to life, nature, and the cosmos behind the busyness of our days.
It is time for drum metaphor – what is life drumming up for you today?
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Have you ever heard of <a href=”http://www.amazon.com/Boomwhackers-Tuned-Percussion-Tubes-Diatonic/dp/B0002E2MCI”Boomwhackers? When my spirits need lifting I pick up two of them and hit them together rhythmically while bouncing on my jogging trampoline. I’ll also sing some affirmations while doing it. It works for me every time. My inner (and outer) drummer is definitely creative. Thanks for asking!
Today, with the sharp declines in the stock market, and the nagging worries about the American economy, I am marching to a sad, and a little scared, drumbeat.
Hi Lori – Taiko drums are amazing aren’t they – we have recordings of them and have watched videos, and we have seen some other Japaneses drummers here in Melbourne.
Frank and I are both very happy with our work with music and writing – tonight we will be surrounded by musicians at the open mic night that we run.
Lovely post!
Hi, Jean –
No, haven’t heard of that. Sounds fun! I’m happy you have a healthy inner and outer drummer.
Hi, Vered –
Crazy day for the market, but Donald Trump isn’t worried, so I guess I won’t be either … HA!
Hi, Robin —
Thanks!
“…surrounded by musicians…” I bet you have a great time with open mic nights.
Drums are great. Rhythm is great. Today? Not great. It’s been one hell of a screaming heavy metal eardrum popping kind of day. I could so go for the friendly rat-a-tat-tat of a woodpecker.
Being part of a drum circle is a great experience. You might like to try these http://www.drumcircle.com/ (No personal or financial interest).
A nice steady beat for a change. Like the rythm of my heartbeat. And I am quite content with that. The beat has been too irratic lately.
Hi, Davina —
Mother Nature has Wall Street and Washington DC beat for soothing sounds — that’s for sure.
Hi, Gary —
Thanks, I’d love for my husband and me to make that Hawaii event mentioned at drumcircle.com.
Hi, Urban Panther —
Ahh, a nice, steady beat — that sounds good. I’m glad it’s less irratic.
I can understand how Vered is feeling. I woke up this morning to read about the failure of the US$700b plan. Oh well…hopefully…the drums of life will lift our spirits soon!
Hi, Evelyn —
I’m all for lifting spirits.
It’s an election year, the Congress has to work it out, or they’ll all get booted.
OMG, that photo is fantastic!
Thank you all-3 for coming, it made it all-the-more wonderful for me, to be able to be enthusiastic and share something that strikes a certain passion (literally. striking.) in my soul.