Thursday, June 2, 2011

Exotic Drums Keep The Beat

By Rosemarie Harrell


Exotic drums have a history that is long and rich, going back to the original days of animals using hollow logs to create the rhythm. Through history, these instruments have been used in wars, sports events, music, and have even been turned into electronic devices. There are many types and styles that are made for varying occasions.

Originally, the sound was produced by Macaque monkeys to exert their dominance. Humans used them for both celebration and to produce a code that would alert to an attack by other tribes. Through the years, this base beat has had many uses. While it is one of the basic instruments, it is not necessarily easy to play effectively.

In early Chinese history, troops used these instruments to determine the speed at which the troops would march in formation. They developed a serious of codes that is still used today to call out orders. This type of use has been adopted by many militaries over the centuries. There are many pictures of military units with the drummer or drum corps leading the way as they mark time with the steady beat.

These have also been used to produce music and provide the rhythm for dance. From native dances to modern techno base beat music, the heavy handed, low beat that is produced is often considered the foundation of any musical score. This is the beat that keeps the time for the rest of the band or orchestra. Rock and roll has pushed the traditional set into prominence as musicians developed extensive styles.

They are made from various types of wood with a membrane stretched over at least one side. The different types may have one or two membranes and other attachments that provide varying types of sound. The most common wood used in modern sets is plywood. The thickness determines the sound quality. There are newer types that are using exotic woods to provide a richer sound that cannot be found with the plywood.

Percussion instrument is the name given to the drum. The reason is because the sound is created by striking the membrane with a stick of some sort. Some are simple wooden sticks, others include a padding to produce a muted sound. The snare uses the wooden drum stick to create a sharp sound. The bass drum uses a padded stick to create a rich, deep, muted sound.

Exotic drums are very popular in many styles. The modern musician uses them to keep the beat and provide entertainment. Tribes may use them in religious dances. Animals use the sound instinctively to exert their dominance in their world.

exotic drums




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...