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.