percussion

February 2015 Celtic music updates.

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 1 Comment

..And so we have amazing tunes to start the big bang of Celtic music for 2015!

Welcome to my ‘conversational post’ where I talk like a normal person especially when I am not doing album reviews or interviews. 2015 brings us fantastic tunes in the trad and fusion department. Celtic music is colorful as it embraces many. I will

The winning image from the Bodojo Header competition by Matthew Olwell.

The winning image from the Bodojo Header competition by Matthew Olwell.

bring you fresh uploads from musicians you have not or probably heard already. But guess what they have in common? Yes it’s fantastic music. These are artists who dedicated their lives in perfecting their craft. They have released albums independently and I think their persistence is admirable. Especially in a world where ‘common’ or ‘ordinary’ music is praised. But think about it. What’s so great about common right? Why not spice up your life with something you seldom read up the Billboard or Rolling Stone reviews. Why be part of the herd when you can be different. Think different. Act different and dare to be you.

This is a fresh upload from Irish musician Enda Seery(with James Hughes). I think a new album is on the way. What do you think? I love this tune.

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I will be posting an album review of this amazing artist. He is John Breen. 

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Have a taste of Buan, the new album by Danu. Yes they have a new album out if you haven’t heard yet. It’s been creating quite a stir in the trad community these days. Worth a check! Thanks to Trad Connect for this link.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_eYEmuc0hM

Fans of Scottish artist Julie Fowlis will be pleased. She has released a new album called  GACH SGEUL – EVERY STORY. As always, her vocals are in between the haunting realm of Celtic music and the simplicity of indie pop. Find out more here: https://www.facebook.com/juliefowlis

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http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqVvUXsA7is

Bodhran Drum Solo – Abe Doron

Fans of bodhran music will love this! I love the bodhran and I am trying to be an expert but I guess I need more time. If you want to check out anything related to this instrument then be part of Bodojo https://www.facebook.com/groups/bodojo/?fref=ts

Have a great weekend everyone and more to follow!

C’mon Let’s Learn How To Play The Bodhran!

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  I have been watching the videos of bodhran instructor for a few days now. This happened after stumbling into the bodhran lessons of Jesse Ferguson. I have to agree with Jesse that Michelle is very technical when it comes to teaching. I admire her detailed discussion about how to holding the instrument, how to generate a pleasant sounds (when you get one out of the box), how to hold the tipper (beater) properly and so much more.

Michelle Stewart: blog.ryanmacdonaldphotography.com

Michelle Stewart: blog.ryanmacdonaldphotography.com

 

Her channel also contains inspirational videos to help you maintain your creativity. I think these videos speak to all types of persuasions be it musical, visual or literary. I encourage you to visit her Bodhran Master Class youtube channel and subscribe because she has lots of ideas to give you. Especially if you are learning how to play the instrument for the first time.

I enjoy playing my bodhran because it gives me a sense of diversion from all the online work do. It is also a good way to really get to the bottom of traditional Irish music. The lessons provide me the understanding why they are called jigs, reels, slip jigs or hornpipes. I learned appreciate various rhythms that serve as foundation of traditional Irish music.

I also discovered many youtube channels where you can learn for free and I will be posting them at the end of this blog.

Learning the bodhran is therapeutic. You have options to buy less expensive ones if you are a beginner. Professional ones cost around $125.00 or more. I think it is a very flexible percussion in terms of generating tones. I learned that you can either play it loud or soft depending on how you move your left palm and also the amount of pressure you apply. I am an enthusiastic student and I hope you join me in this musical journey. I will be posting more about bodhran resources online in my future articles.

Michelle Stewart: http://bodhranexpert.com/  and http://www.youtube.com/user/BodhranMasterclass

Jesse Ferguson- Bodhran (Irish Frame Drum) Tutorial:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=790kmxPtHwA

Chris Weddle – Bodhran Lessons  : http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpwnIRlFS1ivyeMmCp7sKZSWbnBBTjxbU

My big thank you to Paula for the Walton’s Bodhran: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4M60O1l5yTWh-_Hl-u1EVA

 

 

Evelyn Glennie: How to Listen to Music with Your Whole Body

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 2 Comments

How does a person who could not hear listen to music? Evelyn Glennie lost her sense of hearing at an early age. But that did not stop her love for music.She plays the loudest instruments in the classical family which are the percussion. Because she could not hear, she usually takes off her shoes in performances and listen to music through her feet. Yes!

I came across an article about Evelyn Glennie in senior high school. Since then her story got stuck in my head. Through the years I followed her career on and off. It was when I moved to Manila when A friend(who is a sound Engineer ) told me that she met Dame Glennie personally in UP Diliman College of Music . She came to town to conduct music seminars and it’s always an interesting experience. This woman not only single-handedly changed the history of  modern music, she also inspired people all over the world to listen in a different way.

As usual TED TV always brings us fresh source of ideas and this video is something that I came across yesterday. Now this is very important not only to musicians but also to audiences who want to experience something beyond what is taught by programing. So please join me in experiencing this wonderful speech from a woman whose talent is unparalleled.

All about the bodhran(Irish frame drum)

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 1 Comment

bodhran

  Been a fan of this percussion instrument for God knows how long. There is something about it that calls to mind the feelings on anticipation, excitement,glee and of course sensuality.It’s the quality of the bodhran’s sound that is unparalleled by other percussion instrument.There is expressiveness there and yes love by its creator.My friend Brandon has a bodhran. Someone in Multiply asked me if there is a store that sells bodhran here. What” In the Philippines? Unless there’s a marooned Irish musician, then you’ll be in luck.

Quick info:

The bodhrán (pronounced /ˈbɔːrɑːn/ or /ˈbaʊrɑːn/; plural bodhráns or bodhráin) is an Irish frame drum ranging from 25 to 65cm (10″ to 26″) in diameter, with most drums measuring 35 to 45cm (14″ to 18″). The sides of the drum are 9 to 20cm (3½” to 8″) deep. A goatskin head is tacked to one side (although nowadays, synthetic heads, or new materials like kangaroo skin, are sometimes used). The other side is open ended for one hand to be placed against the inside of the drum head to control the pitch and timbre. One or two crossbars, sometimes removable, may be inside the frame, but this is increasingly rare on professional instruments. Some professional modern bodhráns integrate mechanical tuning systems similar to those used on drums found in drum kits.

History

There is evidence that the bodhrán was used during the Irish rebellion of 1603, by the Irish forces as a battle drum, or that the use of the drum was to provide a cadence for the pipers and warriors to keep to, as well as announce the arrival of the army. This leads some to think that the bodhrán was derived from an old Celtic war drum.