Duduka Da Fonseca – Best Brazilian Drummer in the World?

Drums forever remain an important part of music. We can hear them in all our favorite songs. A drummer is probably one of the most important parts of any band or music ensemble. As a matter of fact, drums appear frequently in music across the globe. In almost every culture, there can be found some form of drum being used on a regular basis. Playing the drums cannot be easy and requires some skill and knowledge of music. Even so, some drummers make it look like a science or a flowing rhythm that they were born with. Either way, playing the drums is an incredible skill that can be breathtaking.

That is exactly what Brazilian drums are: they are simply breathtaking to see and even hear being played. The best Brazilian drum player in the world would have to be drummer and composer Duduka Da Fonseca. He has been noted as perhaps the best Brazilian drummer to exist in modern Western culture. Duduka Da Fonseca was born in Rio de Janeiro in 1951. When he came to America in 1975, he sought to bring a mix of samba and jazz in his music. Both he and his brother Miguel found their own place in the world of music. Over the years, Da Fonseca has become and will become an expert and authority on the sound that Brazilian drums make.

As one of the most experienced artists in this musical genre, Fonseca eventually formed the Duduka Da Fonseca Quintet. By the summer of 2002, this music reached new heights of popularity. The sound of the Brazilian drum now has become quite popular. As it climbs in popularity, it opens the door for more overseas types of drums and their sounds to make their way into American people’s hearts.

The Duduka Da Fonseca Quintet has released a critically acclaimed album, called “Samba Jazz in Black & White.” It uses all of Da Fonseca’s resources and abilities as he plays off of his fellow musicians with ease and precision. This level of skill is what makes Duduka Da Fonseca the best Brazilian drummer in the world. His ease and comfort with the drums makes him stand out above anyone else.

Even today, most performers draw inspiration and ideas from Da Fonseca’s work. His artistry has become a touchpoint for other drummers in the field. All that you need to do to understand why is to listen to how he plays the Brazilian drums.

Three Top Tips for a Killer Drum Circle Experience

A drum circle is comparable to a "jam session," allowing the creativity of the players to shine through. These sessions improve the skills of drummers, allowing them to work off one another and learn from each other. The relaxed atmosphere helps to build a true sense of community. Here are three top tips for a killer drum circle experience.

First, relax! These sessions are all about having fun and making creative, intuitive beats. You won't be able to play as well if you're worried, afraid, or anxious. You can feel better about this by being in the circle with drummers you know and trust. If you are playing with new people, remind yourself that this is an informal session - no one is judging you. Just the same, you should avoid judging anyone else. Simply let your creativity and passion for drumming shine through and guide you, and the other drummers will do the same.

Second, choose a location. Many sessions are held in public places such as parks, but they may also be held in a studio, a backyard, or a living room - anywhere there is space for everyone. Acoustics are important because there are so many drummers involved, but it is important to decide if the session will be public or not. For those who want to conquer their performance anxiety, drumming in public can be quite helpful. However, some people would really prefer to perform privately, and it would be better for that session to happen privately.

Third, form a circle! It may seem obvious, but the players should be able to connect to one another, and part of that is being able to see the other drummers. In a band, the bassist and drummer - the rhythm section - are encouraged to face each other, as it allows them to connect more. The same is true of a these jam sessions. If you are able to connect in this way, the experience will be heightened. Circles symbolize equality and continuity as there is no beginning and no end; similarly, no one in a circle is a leader or a follower. Knowing that you are equal will also help you to relax.

Once everyone has set up, that's all you need - you're ready to go! With these three top tips for a killer drum circle experience, you're sure to successfully beat out this session! Enjoy the groove that forms in your circle.

The Magical Sound of the Cowbell in Music

The cowbell is a hand percussion instrument used frequently in hip hop, reggae, funk, pop, rap, and jazz music. There are two major types of bells. They are tuned bells, and clapper-less bells. Tuned bells are bulbous brass bells that are tuned randomly while retaining the clapper. The sound is much stronger than hand-bells and used widely by western orchestras and musical composers. Flat shaped tuned chromatic bells are very popular throughout the world and it can be easily played with a mallet. The clapper-less bells are fabricated from metals and struck with a stick to produce multiple ranges of modulated tones. There is no clapper and usually played with bongos and timbales. The clapper-less cowbell is versatile and can be modified to play with the foot.

A wide range of bells are available in the market today. Some of the bestselling ones include the LP Aspire E-Z Grip, Tycoon Percussion, Meinl Black Finish, Toca Pro Line, and LP Santana Abraxas Angel. The LP Aspire E-Z Grip produces an incredible sound and fits perfectly in the palm of your hand. It measures seven inches and features a beater and wooden handle. It complies with the toy safety guidelines and comes in two colors red and black. The LP Aspire E-Z Grip is a great product that is ideal for intermediate players. The Tycoon Percussion is made from high quality steel and it produces deep and rich sound. Some of the features include powder coated finish, secure clamps, and multiple sizes. It is available in nine different sizes from three inches to nine inches.

The Meinl Black Finish is a great addition for professional drum set players and modern percussionists. It is fabricated from a special steel alloy and is available in three different sizes. The Meinl Black Finish is slightly expensive compared to the LP Aspire E-Z Grip and Tycoon Percussion but the sound quality is matchless.

The Toca Pro Line is a handheld bell that comes with two playing surfaces. This innovative bell can be used to play contrasting sound pitches. It is a hybrid musical instrument that gives high pitch sound and a must have for all drum set players.

The LP Santana Abraxas Angel is a stunning bell that delivers low pitched tones and clear sound. It uses the wing nut clamping system and can be effortlessly mounted. It is a white powder coated bell that is perfect for funk music.

Cowbells have gained tremendous popularity in the last decade and it is a great musical instrument for experimental music.

What makes a Good Snare Drum Choice?

Snare drums are the trumpet of the percussion section. Everybody hears them, everybody notices them, and just about everybody will think of one if you say the word “drum” to them. Whether it’s your favorite rock band pounding out the rhythm to their souls onstage, or the high school marching bad performing a snappy cadence as they march into the stadium before the game, snare drums set the pace for the piece. So, what makes a good choice when it comes time to select your snare drum?

The basics: A snare drum is an un-tuned drum with two heads: a heavy one on top to withstand the strokes of the stick, mallet or brush used to produce the sound, and a thinner bottom one with metal or gut “snares” (tightly coiled bands) that lightly touch the thin bottom head and vibrate, making a sharp, loud and unmistakable sound.

To choose the right snare drum, you have to know what you want to use the drum for. If you want to use a snare drum for the high school band, you are going to want a snare designed especially for marching. These drums are deeper and heavier than a snare designed for stage or indoor use, to give that large sound needed to carry through the field. These drums will have specially designed snares on the bottom, made of Kevlar-infused gut or metal. Sometimes there is a plastic scoop under the drum, designed to direct the sound towards the audience.

For indoor use, snare drums are a little different. They are smaller, first of all, designed to be held by a stand as the featured part of a drum kit. To determine what constitutes your perfect snare drum, you need to know what kind of sound you want. Do you want a rich, dark mellow sound? Mahogany body construction is going to be your first choice, followed by maple, beech and birch. Oak will give you a nice mid-range all-purpose sort of sound, as will aluminum. For brighter, sharper sounds, brass is your top choice, followed by bronze, steel and copper. It would be fantastic if, in choosing snare drums, a prospective buyer had access to all types of body construction materials. Drum manufacturers like Gretsch use a wide variety of these materials and may give you your best options in selecting which sound you prefer.

There are many other factors to consider when determining your choice of snare drums, including size, porting (holes in the body that allow vibrations to escape) quality and number of lugs, head type and material, construction of the snare wires, and other factors.

When searching for snare drums, your best bet is to go with a reliable dealer who carries reputable, known lines of manufacture. You are certain to find snare drums that will meet your every musical need.

Make your own Ashiko Drum

An ashiko drum is a traditional African drum known for its low bass sound and its cone shape. These drums are played with the hands only to get the signature low tone sound. These traditional drums are fun to play, and you can make your own easy recreation version for relatively cheap. A simple, fun craft to do on the weekend or if you just have some free time with the kids can give your home a new sound; the sound of an Ashiko drum. If they like it, buy them a professional drum!

What you need to complete your project includes one large (extruded) polystyrene drinking cup, one small (extruded) polystyrene drinking cup, hot glue, hot glue gun, tape, shoe polish, a rag, and some markers. With these few things that you probably already have lying around your home, you can make a drum for little to no cost.

Step one, take your hot glue gun, and put a glue stick in it. Plug it in so it can start to heat up. It may take 5 minutes for the gun to completely heat up. Once heated, take your two polystyrene cups, and put a ring of glue around the top edge of the small cup. Next, place the glue edge on the bottom of the large polystyrene cup. Doing this creates a nice cone shaped drum. Allow time for the glue to dry, may take another 10-15 minutes.

Once dried, take your cups and your masking tape. Cover the top opening with strips of tape until completely sealed. Next, you need to grab your shoe polish, and wipe polish over the tape and cups. Wipe away any extra polish with the rag, and let the polish sit to dry. Once dried, repeat the process by wiping more shoe polish on the cups and tape. Wipe away excess and repeat one last time. This process needs to be repeated 3 times in total, creating a nice dark tone color on the cups. This will make it look more like an ashiko drum. Once the last layer of shoe polish has dried, you can use your markers to decorate the drum if desired. Once any ink has dried, your last step is to get up and play the drum!

A basic ashiko drum is easy to make and should not take longer than 45 minutes to create your own drum to enjoy in your home. Making an ashiko drum can bring lovely low bass tones of fun ringing through the hallways in your home.

Playing Finger Cymbals while Belly Dancing

Finger cymbals are a great way to make your own music while you belly dance. Commonly called zills by dancers, these small handheld cymbals will add energy to your dance performance. Most often, two pairs of cymbals are used with cymbals being fastened to both middle fingers and both thumbs. The zills should be adjusted so that they are tight enough to not risk flying off while you perform and should be located on your fingers in such a way that it is comfortable for you to press both halves of the pair together.

After you have acquired your zills and they are comfortably fastened to your hands, it is time to start practicing. Although the finger cymbals seem simple enough, this is deceptive. To incorporate your own music into your dance, you will need to practice regularly. Start with shorter sessions to give the muscles in your fingers and hands a change to develop strength just like when you first started learning your belly dancing moves and had to develop strength in your stomach muscles. Start by simply listening to some of your dance music with the zills on. Without dancing, see how you can use the zills to make a pleasant accompaniment to the music. Remember, the sounds should be subtle, it is not necessary to make large movements, click the cymbals together carefully. Let the tone ring. Try sliding movements.

After an exploration period, set goals for your practicing before beginning a song. Try playing along with the melody. After that is easy, try playing along with rhythm of the drums. Then try playing along with any harmonic rhythms. Your goals is to make using the finger cymbals feel like a natural part of moving your hands. When you are comfortable with the sounds the zills make and how playing them works, try adding them to a dance without any other music playing. Some practice techniques include dancing to a regular rhythm you create with just the zills, and dancing while singing a song you are very familiar with and playing the zills. When you feel ready, you can attempt dancing with your regular belly dancing music and playing the zills. Start with minimal playing and work your way up to more regular accompaniment. Even when you get to this stage, it can be useful to still regularly use beginning practice techniques. It can take a while before you become a skilled player.

Playing the zills will give your belly dancing a layer of added depth. Making your own music can be a beautiful addition to your dancing routines.

Why Learn the Cajon?

The cajon is a boxlike drum that originated in Peru and has since been very popular in Cuba. This deceptively simple instrument, which could easily be mistaken for a stool or crate, has a surprisingly complex sound. With a cajon, a beginner can start slapping out rhythms in no time, but a skilled musician can play complex beats and tones that could enthrall a concert hall full of music lovers.

The first advantage of the cajon as your instrument is that it is easy to transport. Kopf cajons come in different heights for different sized people and in either straight sided models which are played by sitting on the top slapping the side or slant sided tumba cajon models which are played while holding the drum between the knees and slapping the top conga style. Both types of cajon are lightweight and easy to carry. Carrying bags makes it even easier to tote your cajon along and provide some protection for your instrument. Some drums are heavy and cumbersome to move around, but you will find your cajon coming with you just about everywhere.

A second reason to learn the cajon is the instrument’s versatility. Many cajons have removable snares making the change from playing with a snare sound to playing a more traditional sound very easy. Kopf cajons offer several models with double playing sides, one with snares and one without. The snares are often adjustable so that the tone can be changed. The cajon sounds great by itself, with other drums, or mixed in with other instruments in an impromptu jam session. If you learn the cajon, you are unlikely to find yourself sitting on the sidelines listening to everyone else play. You’ll always be able to get in on the action, even when you are just starting to learn.

Another reason to learn the cajon is its unusual nature. Cajons are still rather uncommon at drum circles. If you are looking for a drum that is sure to be a head turner, the cajon is the way to go. Everyone will be wondering what kind of sound that crate makes, and what it is called. If you choose a cajon with a padded seat, your comfort will be assured too. While others scramble to find a spot to sit, you can plop down on your cajon top and be ready to play. It is fun to share a unique instrument with other drum enthusiasts, opening up opportunities for you to explore other drums as well. Your cajon will get people talking and ensure plenty of social interaction even if you are the new guy at the gathering.

Whether you are looking for your first drum or just a new, unique instrument to add to your repertoire, learning to play the cajon will add versatility, originality, and of course, lots of music to your life.