Body Drumming

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Keith Terry has developed a contemporary form of Body Music. He has based his style on his experiences of jazz drumming and his long study of world rhythmic structures. Body Drumming is not only fun to perform but also a good way of internalizing rhythms. This in turn helps the development of aspects such as time skills, phrasing, listening skills, coordination and greater sensitivity when playing in a group.

Body Drumming can benefit anyone from musicians, dancers, actors to someone who just wants to improve their feeling for rhythm.can benefit anyone from musicians, dancers, actors to someone who just wants to improve their feeling for rhythm.

No special clothing is necessary to participate. Comfortable everyday clothing and clean sneakers or jazz shoes are all that is required.Children love Body Drumming. They can, for example, listen to stories and create with their bodies the sounds which occur druing the telling of the story.

Keith Terry's views his body as a percussion instrument. He emphasizes the complex rhythms by thigh slapping, hand clapping and foot stamping. He came across this approach thirty years ago during a rehearsal for a jazz gig. He realized that he could displace what he was playing on the drums onto his body. Keith Terry's influences are numerous, such as Flamenco "palmas" (clapping), to the American art of hambone. He has worked with clowns and Indonesian and Polynesian dancers amongst others. This talented musician says " It really is embodying. I feel like you understand (rhythm) on a whole other level when you are it."

The hand clap represents the highest, sharpest sound such as a snare drum and hi-hat.

The chest strike simulates a highest rack tom. This stroke should be made to the center of the chest with cupped hands so that there is no hard pounding on the chest.

The thigh strike is equivalent to the middle tom. Flat or cupped hand change the tone.

Hitting the backside is pitch-wise equivalent to the lowest of the toms.

The foot stomp reproduces the sound of the bass drum. Terry recommends wearing shoes with hard rubber soles or hard leather soles. The basic step is flat footed with the weight of the body over the backside. It is possible to just move the heel while keeping the toes on the floor. This move does not produce such a powerful sound.

Body Percussion can be performed in groups and /or with musicians playing instruments.

"Calling all Drummers and Flute Players."Learn the Drum and Flute Rhythms of Three Northern Ghanaian Dances. Musicians in general will also find the CD useful.Click here to buy my CD.

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