Hello Friends:
About 2 years ago a friend bought me an UDU drum (pronounced: "Ooh - doo") from Nigeria. As many of you know, I play LOTS of different percussion instruments. But the UDU captivated me, and still does. In fact, over the past 2 years I've played my UDU more than any other drum! Why? Read below. (You'll have a chance to play one too.)
This issue includes a challenging World Music Trivia & DVD Giveaway. Warning: It is NOT easy. This is a true test of your knowledge of world rhythms. Only the first 5 to correctly answer all questions get the free DVD.
Bay Area posse: My good friends and skilled drummers Ben Isaacs and Gabe Harris of Rhythm Village have organized a special African Rhythm Night at the Throckmorton Theater in San Rafael on Sat. Aug. 9. (I will be out of the state but I'm sure it will be fun.) Click above link for details.
Finally, in honor of one of my other favorite percussion instruments (and vegetable) the CHEKERE ("check-er-AYE"), I've included a piece about a truly-inspiring Vegetable Orchestra! Hopefully it will stimulate your creativity and push your musical boundaries.
Let your light shine,
In the Flow,
Robert Wallace
Robert@TotalRhythm.com
510-482-8005
Me with Caxixi
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Who do UDU?
You do UDU!
(Nigerian Drum Workshop.)
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 UDU Drum from Nigeria
UDU Drum Workshop
About 2 years ago a friend bought me an UDU drum from Nigeria. I fell in love! It's a clay pot drum with a holes in the side and on top. It's played with the hands by moving the air in and out of the chamber. The UDU sound is warm, earthy, fluid and, best of all, quiet! You can play the UDU and not wake up your kids! It's mysterious, melodic and deeply soulful. Plus, there is virtually NO learning curve. If you can hit your palm on a tabletop, you can play the Udu.
Here is a great video showing how UDUs are made in Nigeria: UDU Making Video
Here is a short video of UDU playing Hear the UDU.
I am very excited to announce my collaboration with outstanding Bay Area Sculpture Clayton Thiel to offer you an UDU RHYTHMS WORKSHOP! Clayton has hand-crafted six Udu drums in his studio and will be bringing them for use in the workshop. They will be availalble for sale afterwards.
These are beautiful, hand-made Udus and they double as works of art. Here is a sample of some of Clayton's other work (sorry, don't have a photo of his Udus):
The Udu Workshop will cover hand and body positioning, how to create basic Udu notes, plus we'll learn rhythms from Africa, Brazil and beyond.
This workshop is open to ALL LEVELS. I believe this may be the first Udu group workshop in Northern California so if you're a beginner you won't be alone!
UDU Rhythms Workshop
Saturday, Aug. 2, 2-4pm
Total Rhythm Studio
3001 Jordan Road
Oakland, CA 94602
510-482-8005
$25 adv./$30 door
Udus provided to first 6 paid attendees
TO enroll: Click here and pay online:
Udu Rhythms Workshop
Questions? Call me: 510-482-8005
Warning: UDU drumming may be addictive!
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Forgiveness is accepting that the past isn't going to change.
In the Beautiful Flow of Life,
Robert Wallace
Total Rhythm
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Upcoming Events:
Sat. 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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WIN A FREE WORLD RHYTHMS DVD!
WORLD MUSIC TRIVIA & DVD GIVEAWAY!
Want to learn to play Samba, Reggae, Funk, Ijexa, Zebola, and Calypso rhythms on your drum?
All these rhythms, plus MORE, are included in my Top Ten World Rhythms DVD!
Nearly 2 hours in length, this comprehensive DVD teaches 10 rhythms, from 8 countries, played on 7 different drums!
Learn more about the
Top Ten World Rhythms DVD!
Click here for a detailed description of all 10 rhythms.
It can be yours FOR FREE!
The first 5 correct responses to ALL of the following World Music Trivia questions receive the FREE DVD:
1) What is Brazilian singer Gilberto Gil's "other job"?
2) What popular world fusion group features the vocals of Marie Daulne?
3) What percussion instrument is featured in Ali Farka Toure's Album "Savane"?
4) In the USA, we call it "Salsa" dancing. What is it called in Cuba?
5) Who won Panorama 2008?
6) What country features Gumboot dancing?
7) Unscramble the following letters to spell a Brazilian percussion instrument: mabzuba.
GOOD LUCK!
Remember: First 5 correct responses to all questions receive the free DVD ($24.95 value). Reply to Robert@TotalRhythm.com.
Answers (and winners) posted in the next Total Rhythm Newsletter.
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The Vegetable Orchestra
Seeing possibilities rather than limitations is a wonderful gift.
Let me know YOUR thoughts about the orchestra.
I hope the extra food was eaten!
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