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Handpan on stand – Image: courtesy of Marsh BrodeurOne very cool, thing I frequently experience when writing for the Sierra Nevada Ally (the Ally) is that the story I set out to tell is almost never the story I end up telling. Writing for The Ally allows me to go deeper into new subjects and interesting people than I would normally be able to do without having Restraining Orders placed. Such is the case with this story, which was supposed to be about a nice fellow named Jeff Froschauer whom I met through a mutual friend. Jeff collects and plays…
Filipino artisan, musician, and health advocate LJ Nabera is the first to create the Philippine handpan drum, a type of steelpan instrument played by striking the rim or center with the hands. A unique and beautiful instrument, the handpan drum is a relatively new invention that is thought to have originated in Switzerland and then spread across Europe. Made from two high-quality steel hemispheres welded together at the edges, it is hollow inside. What makes this instrument so unique is the otherworldly sound it produces, perfect for meditation and spiritual practice. LJ, who is also a health advocate, had always…
You may have seen him in the orchestra pit at Spokane Civic Theatre or Lake City Playhouse. If you’re traveling during the holidays, you might see him at Spokane International Airport. Or, if you take the family to meet Santa at the Southside Community Center on Dec. 17, Santa will be there. Taylor Belout is a popular drummer. The Rogers High School instrumentalist began playing percussion while attending Garry Middle School and has never put a drumstick out of tune since. “From the moment I fell in love with music, I knew it would always be a part of my…
Have you ever listened to Metallica and thought, “This is good, but what about when I want to relax?” Admittedly, thrash metal isn’t the genre I usually listen to when I want to relax, but that might be about to change. I just heard YouTuber Benji Ellerbee cover the Ride the Lightning classic “Fade To Black” with steel thumping drums. Through his YouTube page, Ellerby has used his drumming skills to create some very impressive and unique percussion compositions, experimenting with a combination of traditional drums and handpan/tumpan drums.One notable video sees him combine both approaches to produce what’s being…
In the video lesson below you will learn how to play John Frusciante’s guitar part on the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ latest single “Tippa My Tongue” from their latest album “Return Of The Dream Canteen”. First, let’s look at the tone and technique required.Grab the toneIn terms of Frusciante’s core guitar tone here, the Strat’s single-coil neck position plays a big role, and “Tippa My Tongue” even features a tremolo bar dip in the opening solo. The guitar amp should be set right at the breakup, and from there it’s a great example of how to elegantly stack gain stages.…
Tucked away down a secluded side street off River Street in Mattapan, you might think it would be hard to find “The Pan Yard,” where the renowned Branch’s Steel Orchestra practices several times a week to hone their steel band sound. But that’s not the case once you follow the sounds of more than a dozen members of this multi-generational group belting out a melodious steel pan version of Abba’s “Dancing Queen.” A walk through the neighborhood, following the sounds of music, leads me to Branches founder and longtime director Carl Smith’s two-car garage, where dozens of steelpans are lined…
The first Tri-State Drum & Dance Circle meeting took place on June 14th at the UpFront Exhibition Space in Port Jervis, NY. It was the brainchild of Stuart Kessler and his wife Nancy Davis Kessler. They had attended many drum circles but couldn’t find any around here so decided to start their own. Participants came from all over the Tri-State area (Milford, Matamoras, Shohola, Glen Spey, Barryville and Montague, NJ). This was the first time many participants had experienced this community event, but there were also some experienced drummers in attendance. Mickey Hart (Grateful Dead drummer) defines a drum circle…
Music has the power to bring us all closer together. We all listen to music, but music is very personal and we all have different tastes and genres. If you love music, especially classical music, then this festival in Goa is for you.Nivaan, held in Morjim, Goa, is the largest celebration of traditional handpan artists and world music and is not to be missed.Nivan – Holy[rebelmouse-image 22619403 original_size=”1280×500″ expand=1]Nivaan, simply put, means “the sacred”, what is holy and divine. Based on the idea that there is nothing more pure and sacred than music, the one thing that unites us all,…
Valery Frolov could pass for any Goan musician. The young Ukrainian in harem pants hops from venue to venue, playing ethnic fusion music in the bohemian cafes of Arambol. What sets him apart from other musicians is the UFO-shaped instrument he holds in his lap, a sound that mesmerizes visitors. When the music ends, they rise from their tables and rush over to Frolov to praise and explore the music they’ve just heard. “It’s astounding to them,” he says. Invented in 2000, the handpan is an instrument that produces an unusual combination of drum-like rhythms and bell-like melodies. Arthur Fernandes,…
Music is a universal language, something percussionist and singer Liron Meyuhas firmly believes. Israel’s first female hand drummer, she recently performed in Mumbai, Mandu in Madhya Pradesh, and Bhopal, events to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and India. Liron Meyuhas plays the frame drum (Photo: Shadab Raza/HT Photo) {{^userSubscribed}} {{/userSubscribed}} {{^userSubscribed}} {{/userSubscribed}} The hang drum is an instrument made 22 years ago by Swiss musicians Felix Rohner and Sabina Schärer, and Meillehas first encountered it on the streets of Jerusalem 17 years ago. Liron Meyuhas is Israel’s first female hang drum artist (Photo:…