THREE BASIC VOICES OF THE TALKING DRUM...LEARN HOW TO PLAY THEM

Posted by Femi_Dagenius

THE TALKING DRUM

This page is meant to teach you everything you need to know about the Talking drum, how to play it while teaching yourself, how to take care of your talking drum, misconceptions of people about the talking drum etc.

However, the articles on this page are restricted to some places in the world or parts of some countries in Africa. Most of the articles on these pages are going to be more-focussed on South-Western part of Nigeria. If you need more explanation on any of the articles, contact me on 08096590380.

Note:- Every article that you may come across on this page is gotten from professional talking drummers, so if any particular article or articles is against your belief or culture, do not be emotional about it,....just close the page!




BASIC VOICES/TONES OF THE TALKING DRUM



The voice or tones of the talking drum is determined by the language of the country where it is being used. But the basic voices are divided into three ranges in Yorubaland.

They are: -

       Range                             Sound

(i) Low Range                         Do

(ii) Mid Range                        Re

(iii) High Range                     Mi







HOW TO APPLY THEM

Before you can be able to apply the sounds to every voice in the talking drum, you must be familiar with dividing your words or tones into syllables e.g. America = A–me–ri–ca. The way you pronounce the word determines the range at which your signs will be fit into.

Example

America = A – mid

me – high

ri – mid

ca – low



You can try the following words on your own

– Ridiculous – Funny – Joseph – Abraham – Yamaha




HOW TO PLAY THE SIGNS

1. Low Range (Do)

Hang the handle of the talking drum on your left shoulder, hold the stick on the other hand, release your left arm and play it ordinarily; your low range sound is hereby produced. You can play it many times to confirm.



2. Mid Range (Re)

Press your arm on the tension cords a little bit i.e. make it a little-tensed, and your mid-range sound is produced.



3. High Range (Mi)

This sound is produced when you pressurize the tension cords more than the mid-range pressure. Make more tensed than before. And your ( mi ) sound is produced.





To learn more...

>>WATCH THIS VIDEO BELOW<<

3 Basic Tones of the talking drum in Yoruba Language




Questions and Comments are welcome!