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DRUM STORY-TELLING |
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One of the ancient, although now almost extinct forms of drumming was that of drum story-telling. This form is more than just a drum solo, it is where specific movements and routines describe the elements of a story.
Here the drum either accompanies a storyteller and other musicians, or the drummer tells the story and interprets it as it progresses. Occasionally, only the title of the piece is given and the rest is up to the listeners imagination.
The technique is based on a system of movements which in themselves describe the elements of the story. |
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Most good stories involve actions which can be enhanced by rhythmic sounds. A modern equivalent of this is the JAWS theme, in which two notes were used in a shortening sequence to increase the feeling of impending doom as the shark neared its prey. This was so effective in the film that the sound itself was sufficient to strike terror in the audience, even before the shark appeared on screen. Such movements tap into our primordial psyche and can be used very effectively to enhance the spoken word.
The rhythm JAWS theme was merely the repetition of the ‘heartbeat’ movement that has probably been used by storytellers since prehistoric times.
The 'wind movement', is another common theme. This is merely a rolling triplet, ‘diddleydiddleydiddleydiddley’, (dduddudduddu), starting with a low note and then tone changing upwards by pressing the back of the skin whilst increasing the rate of strike. Reversing the procedure brings the wind back down to a breeze before starting again. With a bit of practice you could add some raindrops and a bit of thunder and you soon have a story about a storm.
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The 'galloping horses' movement is just a three note ‘dabberdap dabberdap’, (duD duD duD duD). This is the canter. Add the triplet and your horse gallops. (dduD dduD dduD dduD)
A 'marching army' is just the military drumbeat ‘dabberdap dap dap, dabberdap dap dap, dabberdap dabberdap dabberdap dap dap’, (dud D D dud D D dud dud dud D D)
Together with simple running and walking steps, movements like these build up into an entire repertoire of storytelling rhythms. One of the more advanced skills is to define movements or sounds which signify the arrival or departure of individual characters in a story so that, as with JAWS, the character can be heralded long before they actually appear in the story.
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On the KEEPER OF LIGHT CD, there are examples of story telling. THE BATTLE tells of the gathering storm, the arrival of the armies, the battle itself and then joking references to the futility of it all. The movements used marching band steps, galloping horses, rollovers, heartbeats and rave licks, and finishing with a series of umpah’s.
THE SWEEPER uses a standard drummers wire brush held in the Kerry style. In this piece the audience is asked to imagine the caretaker cleaning up after a dance. As he sweeps up, the dance rhythms come into his mind, and he imitates them with his sweeping brush.
Other storytelling pieces which have not yet been recorded include THE DANCE, THE FAIRY SHOEMAKERS, THE SAILOR and JAB JAB THE VOODOO QUEEN. |
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