world music instrument videos
With an uncanny power to mesmerize, the kalimba is a unique instrument with ancient roots and world wide influence. Considering the ease of play, affordability and quality sound of the kalimba, it is a wonder that the instrument isn’t a household item, much less a well-used part of music.
After the video, Click Here to see another kalimba in action.
Posted on 03.06.10
Perhaps the greatest musical contribution to come from Southeastern Africa, the mbira is an ancient instrument traditionally played during the religious ceremonies and social gatherings of the Shona people. There are dozens of different “thumb pianos” found throughout Africa and other parts of the world, and it is believed that the mbira predates them all.
To amplify the sound, the mbira is often set inside a resonating chamber, usually a hollowed gourd, and to this gourd are typically attached sea shells or bottle caps to produce a certain ringing sound when the mbira is played. This unique quality is considered most important, as this ringing sound is said to invoke the spirits during ceremonies and gatherings.
After this video, Click Here to see what Hugh Tracey created when he got back from his travels to Africa, with the influence of instruments like the mbira in mind.
Posted on 01.20.10
Another sort of thumb piano, the sansula is a percussion instrument very similar to the kalimba and mbira. What makes the sansula unique is that the keys are set on a small frame drum, which may be lifted to alter the sound and provide a special effect.
In this video, the guitar accompanies the sansula for quite the improv. After viewing, Click Here to check out another unique percussion instrument.
Posted on 01.07.10
Posted on 01.10.10
Another video of Dante Bucci on the hang, the steel hand drum of Switzerland. If you are at all familiar with the hang, you know all about how difficult it is to get your hands on one of these.
Being only a few years old, the hang, or hang drum as it is commonly called, is still made by just the two original creators, and as of the date of posting, they have taken a break from production for an indefinite period of time. With only a few thousand in existence, good luck coming across one! Maybe someday…
Until then, enjoy the amazing music of the hang in the video below, then Click Here and see what Manu Delago does with the hang.
Posted on 11.17.09
One hang is not enough for Manu Delago, check out this solo where he uses three different tunings of hang drum to construct one amazing bit of percussion music!
After this video, click here and check out Dante Bucci on the hang.
Posted on 11.11.09
The story of the hang (pronunciation Hung) is quite an exceptional one.
First off, I’ll let you be the judge, but I think it’s safe to say that the hang is one of the most entertaining and creative instruments ever made. Secondly, the hang is produced just by the 2 original inventors, so simply coming across one is itself a great feat that involves months of waiting, a trip to Switzerland, and thousands of dollars cash.
Because of this, several hang-inspired alternatives have hit the market, among them the hapi drum resting on my couch… tongue(ish) drums are the greatest! Visit Dante’s website and check him out on Pandora.
After watching the video, Click Here to check out another percussion instrument.
