The drums in class
1. Djembe & Hand Drums
2. Taiko
3. Talempong, Wood Blocks & other Percussion.

Djembe
The most widely played African drum in the west originates from Guinea. Djembe music is played mainly in Guinea, Senegal & the Ivory Coast. More recently it has been made popular in the mainstream by artists such as Ben Harper.

The basic techniques include open & closed bass, tone & slap. This is sufficient to really make the drum sing. The sounds produced are rich in crystal clear harmonics with deep bass & sharp slaps.

Taiko
Taiko means drum in Japanese. Taiko has come to mean Japanese festival drums but the correct term for this kind of drumming is Wadaiko.

Taiko burst onto the world arena in the early 80’s when a group of fit young Japanese musicians called Ondekoza (translated as ‘The Demon Drummers’) ran the Boston marathon barefoot. They all finished in athlete time and then proceeded to play a two-hour concert to a totally gob-smacked American audience. This launched the group into sell out concerts throughout North America & Europe.

Taiko originates in the Shinto temples of Japan. Now days you will also hear taiko with various cymbals and flutes at the Matsuri (Festivals). Only in the last 20 years has Taiko become an accepted form of music in it’s own right with scores being written for such odd combinations as Taiko and Orchestra. Recently the Sydney Symphony collaborated with a Master from Japan to perform music for Taiko & Orchestra at Sydney Opera House.

The basic techniques for Taiko are found in the strokes, stance and hand grip. While the technique is aesthetically pleasing it is to get the desired sound & resonance from the drum. The sound of a bass taiko is deep and voluminous. Some large taiko have a head of up 2 metres in diameter.

Talempong
Played in West Sumatra to accompany dance & song. A full musical ensemble could include Talempong, Gandang (drum), Saluang (flute) & vocals. There are several styles of Talempong music the most common played with 3 people. Each person plays 2 Talempong. Each rhythm is simple but by the time the third person has joined in, it is hard to tell where the rhythm starts or finishes. It is joyful & hypnotic music.

The solo styles are considered more virtuosic. The patterns are similar to the common style but one person covers all the parts. The independence required for these solo styles is quite remarkable.

There is not much physical technique for Talempong but a huge array of rhythmic obscurities at every turn. Talempong are not well known outside Indonesia, but are similar to instruments found in a Gamelan Orchestra from Bali or Java.

Wood & Temple Blocks
We use these instruments in a way equivalent to Log Drums from the pacific or the Shime Daiko - a high-pitched Taiko Drum played cross-legged in Japan.

Technique is as per taiko, classical percussion or drum kit. You play with sticks, fast and metranomically. Blocks keep everyone else in time along with the Chanchiki (Japanese Bell).

Assorted Percussion
Aklung – A tuned bamboo rattle common to Indonesian folk music.
Rebana – Sumatran frame drum of Islamic origins.
Tambourine – The metal Rattler heard in Middle Eastern, Indian & modern music.
Clack Sticks – Aboriginal percussive instruments with variations in most cultures.
Temple String Drums – Used for prayer and meditation in Asian monasteries.
Cow Bell – A modern derivation of the Agogo (double bell) played in African music.

Other Percussive Traditions
Body Percussion in Africa, New Zealand, The Pacific Islands & Asia: Pants Slapping in Indonesia: Gum Boot Percussion from African slaves taken to America: Percussive Stick Fighting in Brazil: Vocal Percussion & The highly complex Tabla in India: Big double ended drum in Korea: Military bands in Europe, Tap Dancing, Flamenco dancing & Palmas clapping, Classical Percussion including Marimba, Xylophone, vibraphone & Timpani, Drum Kit and the list goes on and on and on and one and on.