"Simple like an uncarved block."
Tao te Ching


"Like an acorn that holds the promise of a thousand forests."

Sunday, October 18, 2009

STROLLING TO A DIFFERENT DRUMMER

Come with me down this lovely drive to join a group from our church who enjoy the fun and spiritual uplift of drumming. We had every intention of bringing on the night by the light of a campfire with our foot tapping, hand clapping and enthusiastic drumming. We had an assortment of percussion instruments and were ready for fun.

Alas and a few drats we were confronted by rain and a deep chill. We said a fond farewell to the wonderful scenery and the night air and went inside.
The enthusiasm was not diminished and we thrummed, drummed, clattered and rhythmically raised a joyful noise. The vibration of drums reaches into our souls and asks us to remember that everything in the universe has a rhythm or vibration.
Stomping, clapping and shaking rattles or seed pods must have the earliest beginning with ancient people who reacted and responded to the vibrations of those things. Trial and error has brought us to modern percussion instruments. But I think we still react to the energy of drumming with the same focus and enjoyment. When you hear the drums summon you, don't you want to get up, stomp, whirl and dance for joy. I sure do.
Just for fun, why don't you dance on over to Aislings blog to see what other walkers and dancers are doing today.

p.s. Sorry this is a late entry to the Sunday Stroll, I tried every which way to Sunday to get an audio of our drumming. For some reason the video is silent, it is just not effective. Had you seen and heard, it would have inspired you I'm sure. I can say that with authority since you'll never know.

16 comments:

Marcie said...

What fun (despite the weather!)

Cloudhands said...

We always have fun getting together drumming. Being outside on the deck just adds to the enjoyment, but it is the coming together and finding overtones and interesting patterns that emerge out of each person doing their own thing. One person starts and then everyone joins in changing instruments as the mood strikes and it just comes to life. Everyone seems to find the ending together.

Beth Niquette said...

How wonderful! When I was a child we would make up all kinds of sounds with our voices, add in various other sounds and rhythms with sticks, gords and homemade stringed instruments. There were a lot of us, including ourcousins, so it was great fun.

I loved reading abuot your sunday stroll.

Cloudhands said...

Beth,
You just confirmed my belief that music is inherent in in our very souls. Children are wonderful examples of joining together to make not just noise, but music of one sort or the other. Drumming brings out the child in all of us if we will let it.
So pleased to have your confirmation on out being music makers.

Anonymous said...

What a nice thing to do! Even though your drumming circle was moved indoors, it still looks like a lot of fun.

Cloudhands said...

Christiane,
A regular drumming circle is being formed and will meet in our church fellowship hall to have some fun and hopefully give younger folks a place to stomp and shout and be lovingly supported. Of course the gals getting it started having been drumming longer than the college kids have been alive.

Gilly said...

That stroll looke fabulous, with all the autumn colours. And I do like a good bit of drumming! Not that I can get up and stomp, but I could bang my stick on the floor in time to the music!

Our church is not so exciting as yours, I think!

Cloudhands said...

Hey Gilly,
You would fit right in with us. Thumping a stick on the floor would be just another voice in the drumming ensemble. Our church fellowship is lots of fun, we are actually having a humorist coming as a special speaker sometime in November. Glad to see you're back. I'm off to see what you have to say about your visit with your sister.

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

This sounds wonderful and fun.
To - repeat - you live in a wonderful area.

Cloudhands said...

Oh Ernestine, we really enjoy living here in the Highlands of Tennessee. We are almost equal distant from Knoxville, Chattanoga and Nashville and all the wonderful things offered in each place. Cookeville being a college town has art, theater, music and entertainments galore. We have wonderful local and state parks all around us. The people are friendly and we have found wonderful friends. If you ever get in a mood to build again (0; {silly me} come on over and check the area out.

Nina said...

What a better way to raise the vibrations of the soul. Music for the soul, inside or out it sounds wonderful. Love and Light, Nina P

Cloudhands said...

Oh, Nina,
Thank you for for adding to the understanding of making a joyful noise, it is! a soulful experience for all who come together to create music, to sing or dance. Sharing the energy enriches each of us.

Christy said...

Where is this place?

Cloudhands said...

Christy,
We live on the edge of the Cumberland Plateau in Middle Tennessee. The church is down off the mountain in Cookeville. I can't remember where you are, but there are bound to be drumming circles close by.If you are wondering how to find drumming circles where you are at I would suggest checking at music stores and possibly new age book stores; maybe even health food stores and Yoga studios could point you in the right direction.

Everydaywoman said...

Congratulations, Cloudhands, you have officially been awarded the “Over the Top” Blog Award!

See the details at: http://everydaywomanusa.wordpress.com/2009/10/24/over-the-top/

Cloudhands said...

Ruth,
I hope I figure out how to do all the copying and such. I'm get Aisling to help me if I can't figure it out. It is probably so straight forward that I'll regret having said this. Not to over the top am I?