Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Now I can stink even louder



At Grace, we have done a little drumming lately.

Last week, before the service, we sat out on the front steps and played African and Caribbean drums, much to the surprise of the passers by. We were quite a spectacle, three almost middle aged women and a young man. The young man in question was, unquestionably, the most serious of the four of us. He might have felt a little pressure to be good since he just got back from a trip to Africa. The rest of us were free to stink. People in cars slowed down and rolled down their windows to get a better look. People walked up and talked to us. One man, an older guy, who lives at the shelter I think, said that he used to be a percussionist in a jazz band. (Maybe he can join us next time.)

So, today, I bought a Djembe from the Guitar Center. It is an inexpensive one with a goatskin head and a wooden body. It is African style, although it seems to have been made in Indonesia. I brought it home and played it for awhile before lunch, realizing that my neighbors get to hear every misstep... every bad strike.... every off bang.

I was shy with the kid in the music store. I suddenly felt very middle aged and dorky. I mean, what was I going to say? "I am buying a drum so I can play with my friends at church?" How totally lame. So instead I asked a few technical questions and pulled out my Visa card. "I'll take it."

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

You go! Don't be shy; beat it out! :)

Rachel Nguyen said...

I have been playing it all afternoon!

Beat a joyful noise unto the Lord. That's what I say!

Judy Vaughan-Sterling said...

Rachel,

Very impressive drum! You know, of course, that sacred dance has to be next! Better start practicing!

Judy

Mary Beth said...

That is so awesome. I just adore you Rachel!

My former church always had cool drums! including a bodhrain (celtic drum)

Rachel Nguyen said...

Hi Judith,

Mine isn't quite as fancy as the one in the picture, lol. (I lifted the image off the Guitar Center's web site.) But yeah, it is nice. The kids are having a lot of fun banging on it too. Noah has better rhythm than I do. And he is fearless.

Mary Beth, I confess that if they had had a bodhrain at the music store I might have gotten that, instead. They have such a stunning sound.

It turns out the Providence Black Repertory Theatre offers African drumming lessons on Monday nights. I might have to check it out!

Rachel Nguyen said...

Update: I found a picture of the model drum I bought... so now this IS the drum I have.

See later post for update on the class.