Friends of Rhythm and Dance:
What are CAXIXI? First of all, let's start with pronounciation: Say "Cah", then say "she SHE", accenting the second She. "Cah-she-SHE". Now add some attitude and body language: "Caxixi"!!! Last time, with real emotion!: "CAXIXI" !!!! You did it!
Ok, but what are they? Incredibly versatile percussion instruments from Brazil (with African origins). Caxixi have 3 components: 1) a dried and hardened gourd on the bottom, 2) a woven, bamboo-like basket on the top, and 3) beautiful sweet-sounding seeds inside.
You can shake the Caxixi like any other shaker, but you can also turn the Caxixi and "throw" the seeds inside against the hardened gourd for a staccato "cha" sound. This enables you to play the pulse or groove of the music with one Caxixi and sycopated rhythms with the other Caxixi in your opposite hand!
Click on the TV icon to see the Caxixi in Action!
As many of you know, I LOVE playing Caxixi and am convinced that they are one of the EASIEST and MOST VERSATILE hand percussion instruments in the world. Absolutely ANYONE can play them and get into the groove!
I was so impressed with the PURE FUN of playing Caxixi that I created the WORLD'S FIRST and ONLY FULL-LENGTH CAXIXI Instructional DVD!!!!
Watch the Caxixi DVD Trailer
This DVD covers everything needed to play Caxixi: how to hold the Caxixi, create the proper notes, use your body to DANCE with the Caxixi.... Each rhythm is broken down and TAUGHT VERY SLOWLY so you can really hear and feel the nuances: Samba, Afoxe, Baiao, Funk, Son Clave, more!
Absolutely no experience needed - Caxixi are a great way to jump into PLAYING world music and rhythms!
I have 30 pairs of beautiful hand-made "Red Top" Caxixi for SALE from Julio Goes, a respected instrument maker from Bahia, Brazil. (These Caxixi are exactly like the ones I play on the DVD, also made by Julio.)
Want to play Caxixi?
You have two options:
1) Jump in! A pair of Red Top Caxixi and the Instructional DVD is available as a package set for only $69.99 (plus s&h). Caxixi Package
You'll get absolutely everything you need to play Caxixi with confidence and style, and I can ship immediately ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD!
2) Join me for my Caxixi DVD Release Party!! I'll have 30 pairs of Red Top Caxixi available for use, and I'll be leading a Group Caxixi Jam!!!
The DVD Release Party is set for Saturday, July 12, from 8pm-12:30am at Zzza's Wine Bar, 550 Grand Ave., Oakland (near Lake Merrit.)
Caxixi DVD Release PARTY Details
This is a FREE PARTY for everyone. Come out and meet some nice folks. My brother-in-rhythm DJ SpinCycle will be playing the best DANCE MUSIC the world has to offer: African, Brazilian, Salsa, Funk, More. The Caxixi Jam starts at 9pm sharp. Prepare to sweat! This is a DANCE PARTY, Y'ALL!
On other matters, if you're ready to drum, I'm ready for you. Sunday, July 13, the day AFTER the Caxixi DVD Release and World Rhythms Dance Party, is the date for the next drumming workshops (see "Upcoming Events" to the right). Finally, I'll be in LA next month, Boston the month after, spreading the beats.
Call me anytime to connect. See you at the Party!
In the Flow,
Robert Wallace
Robert@TotalRhythm.com
510-482-8005
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Caxixi DVD Release and World Rhythms Dance Party!
with DJ SpinCycle
& the Total Rhythm Crew
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Scene from our last Party in Janaury, 2008
It's Party Time, Y'All!!!
I'm teaming up with my brother-in-rhythm, SpinCycle, for a Summer Throwdown. The reason: The release of my Caxixi Instructional DVD, the first and only Caxixi DVD in the world!!!
This is a DANCE PARTY! Prepare to sweat.
Same location as last time, same DJ, same great party vibe:
DVD Release & World Rhythms Dance Party!
Saturday, July 12, 2008
8pm-12:30am
Zza's Wine Bar in Oakland
550 Grand Ave., Oakland, CA
FREE! ALL INVITED!
Don't let the fancy decor of Zza's fool you, this is a DANCE PARTY! We are clearing out the tables.
SpinCylce will provide the World Rhythms mix: Soukous, Funk, Salsa, Brazilian beats, and More.
At 9pm, sharp, I am leading a Caxixi JAM SESSION! I'll provide 30 pairs of Caxixi so that we can all Shake Our Seeds!
Caxixis and DVDs will be available at discounted prices!
Bring your friends. I'd love to meet them. ALL INVITED!
SEE YOU THEN!
p.s. One request: If you can, please bring cash to buy drinks. Last time, the bar had some trouble running so many tabs on credit cards. Thanks.
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Upcoming Events:
July 13, 2008:
Hand-Drumming Workshops in Oakland
July 20, 2008:
Los Angeles Samba Workshop
August 2, 2008:
Udu Rhythms Workshop in Oakland
August 2008: Boston Caxixi and Pandeiro Workshops
August 2008: California Brazil Music Camp
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Samba in LA!
Big Thanks to my good friend and outstanding percussionist Stan "Cachimbo" Corpus with Pacific Coast Percussion. Stan is facilitating my "Afternoon of Samba" worshop in LA. it's an exciting program covering:
* Samba de Roda*
* Pagode Rhythms for Congas*
* Pandeiro*
* Caxixi*
Open to all levels. Hand-made pandeiros, caxixi and instructional DVDs will be available.
Open fusion jam afterwards!!!
"AN AFTERNOON OF SAMBA" WORKSHOP
Sunday, July 20, 2008
2:00-4:00pm
9211 Stanford Ave.
Garden Grove, CA
$30/25 advance
Contact scorpus@socal.rr.com
to register or call Stan:
Cell-714 615-7010
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Pandeiros from Rio Available!
Extremely lightweight "choro" pandeiros from Brazil, handmade by respected instrument maker Zazihno, are still available.
These
are 10" pandeiros and are NOT manufactured commercially. They are MUCH
LIGHTER than mass-produced pandeiros and the jingles ("platinelas")
are tight for a controlled, precise tone. The natural goat-skin head
is easy on the hands and fingers and gives a warm, rich tone.
THEY SOUND GREAT!
I use one of the Zazinho's in my Instructional DVD:
See and Listen to the Pandeiro
I have several still in stock. I'm NOT offering these for sale online. They cost $150 each, plus $25 for shipping and handling. (A comparable pandeiro will cost over $200 online.)
Need
a pandeiro case? I have very nice soft-shell cases, with shoulder
straps, also from Rio. You have a choice in color: red or black. $45.
Call or email me to order: robert@totalrhythm.com 510-482-8005.
Muito Axe!
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"Don't hurry, Be Happy."
In the Beautiful Flow of Life,
Robert Wallace
Total Rhythm
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