Drums

A whole day's drumming and percussion workshop organised by Valley Beats. This is the scene that greeted us when we arrived at the venue in Shelley - a heap of drums and, on a table nearby, other instruments - gourd shakers (extra), bells (huge, heavy ones that have to be balanced at the top of one's leg), and tambourines, all instruments that would be played in a specific area of north eastern Brazil. We each had an opportunity to play three of the four instruments, and then to concentrate on the one we felt most comfortable with, so I chose a drum. 

It was a really good day, with lots of playing. Interesting too, learning about the music and rhythms of that area, and also something of its culture and the tradition of Carnival. Bring on the next workshop!