As you know by now, I’m composing one of four pieces for an album of “elements”. Now, I know that this list varies depending on our culture
We will be creating on the themes of water, fire, air, and earth. I chose “earth“.
Wood as Earth
As I began to ponder these concepts, I noted that not many instruments are made strictly from “earth”. There are clay instruments like ocarinas and claypot drums. Of course, these are incredibly varied and beautiful musically. But another thought occurred to me.
I am thinking of wood as the ground of many instruments similar to how earth is the ground of our being. And then I remembered how an acupuncturist once mentioned that wood is one of the elements in some cultures.
Musical instruments ranging from viola to djembe are made out of wood. This element is one that I’m drawn to. Trees and fires that burn branches are just two of the ways that this calls to me.
Metal as Earth
It’s all fine and wonderful that wood makes the frame for so many instruments. Still, many of them would not make a sound without a skin or a string. This led me to the element of “metal”. That same acupuncturist noted that in Chinese culture, metal was another element.
Obviously, not all strings are made of metal. Dozens of instruments (and nearly all traditional hand drums) use some form of animal skin to form the drumhead or the stretched string. The other option is a thin, cylindrical piece of metal that can be bowed or plucked to help make the sound.
Culture as Crucial Element
The end result in this case is that I have many instruments in my 11-minute piece inspired by “earth” that are wood and metal. These include, violin, erhu, viola, pipa, cello, yangon, and double bass.
Other instruments use “gut” (mostly strings) or “skin” (mostly drum heads). These include oud, djembe, congas, shakers, tambourine, and more. And finally, there are somewhat Middle Eastern culture metal drums like darbuka and doumbek.
Next time, I plan to say more about why I chose to use voices as a major component of my “earth” music. Stay tuned…
Discover more from Stan Stewart - @muz4now
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Very interesting musical theme Stan. I do have a djembe, and you mention the skin and wood materials. My nurse colleague friend is from Ghana. He brought me back a long scarf like piece of Kente woven cloth as a gift. As my djembe has a massive startling ‘ring’ to it when played, I placed the Kente cloth across it to dampen down the unwanted harsh sound. Funnily enough, the weave he chose for me was the Knemfere (Potsherd) design. I used to be a potter. The weave design links culturally and historically to broken pieces of pottery. So in a way, your theme of Earth as part of the djembe, in some strange idiosyncratic juxtaposed ideal, can be linked.
Looking forward to hearing your compositions.
Cheers.
You weave such beautiful poetry of thoughts and words. I feel honored and humbled by your reflection on this.