Sunday, December 17, 2017

"Drum Sounds and Their Meanings"

Mickey Hart
Mickey Hart is an American Grammy winning percussionist and musicologist. He is best known as one of the two drummers of the rock band Grateful Dead. In 2014 Mickey wrote an excellent article for Smithsonian Folkways titled "Drum Sounds and Their Meanings." This article focuses on how drums are used in many cultures to communicate, play, work, as well as express cultural connections to death, war, and spirituality.

The drum plays a role of great importance in many cultures for its rhythm develops a oneness of feeling and purpose with the rhythms of life. According to Mickey: "There are three fundamental rhythms that each of us experiences: the personal rhythm of the human body, the larger social rhythm of the family, tribe or nation, and the enveloping cosmic rhythms of the planets and the universe." Mickey outlines the ingenious ways that we use drums and percussion of all kinds to manipulate and experience these rhythms. He also shares his favorite drum tracks, while explaining their meaning in our lives and culture. Read more.

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