PERCUSSION
PERCUSSION IDEAS FOR MESSIANIC MUSIC | Mark Shelton
Does the sound of steel drums immediately wide spectrum of sounds. Although the small a Messianic service, but I use the timbre
induce images of the Caribbean islands? drum can produce a deep tone, I restrict most sparingly. Just a few well-placed dings are
Upon hearing tabla and sitar, are you instantly of my doumbec playing to the upper frequency enough to add a bit of Middle Eastern color
reminded of India—even if you’ve never set sounds for worship band playing. to a musical moment. Watch the short video
foot in that country? A listener can be mentally
which demonstrates two methods for playing
transported to Ireland when the pennywhistle, RIQ & TAMBOURINE bodhran, and rhythm bones are inserted into Comprising only a single head mounted over a piece of music. The ability of certain timbres a narrow shell, a frame drum is the most USING SAMPLES
and textures to suggest geographic regions basic form of a membranophone. Most of the Although I prefer to play the actual acoustic
and cultures is one of music’s superpowers. drums mentioned in the Old Testament were instruments for both the aural and visual
finger cymbals
likely some type of a frame drum. Among the aspects,
Over the years I have often played percussion common frame drums heard in the Middle East instrument to trigger samples of doumbec, riq,
for Messianic worship services. The music are the riq, tar, and bendir. The riq also includes tambourine, and finger cymbals is an acceptable
for these events includes a mix of modern sets of jingles mounted in the shell. If you are alternative. It’s worth exploring the Asian and
mainstream worship music along with Messianic imagining a tambourine, you are getting the Middle Eastern sounds in your sample library.
songs. The harmonic and melodic structure right picture. The main difference is the size of Small acoustic frame drums such as the tar and
of the latter category combines with lyrics in the jingles; the riq’s jingles are significantly larger bendir might not cut through a dense mix of
Hebrew to imply Jewish and Middle Eastern than the Western version of the tambourine. electric guitars and keys, but a sample could be
musical genres. When creating percussion
using
an
electronic
percussion
easily increased to the right volume.
parts for these songs, I try to include tone Check out my short demo of the riq in the colors that will suggest the indigenous music first video below. Although I enjoy playing As you dive into playing these instruments,
of those cultures. the riq, my ‘jangly frame drum’ choice for make sure you listen and watch skilled
an amplified worship setting is a headed performers. Get the proper timbres into your
My instrument choices are based on my study tambourine because of its brighter timbre and brain so you can get those tones out of your
of Middle Eastern percussion and research dynamic range. instruments.
Eastern Europe—along with a little knowledge FINGER CYMBALS As I was researching this article, I found a video
of Old Testament music. Small metallic ringing discs have been a part of of Yamma Ensemble performing a version
into Klezmer music from the Jewish culture of
the Middle East’s musical fabric for thousands of Psalm 104—sung in ancient Hebrew! In
DOUMBEC of years. In The Davidic Cipher, author Dennis addition to demonstrating excellent doumbec
With its strong connection to Turkish, Arabic, McCorkle states that the ancient Levites used playing, the entire piece of music is captivating.
and Greek music, the sound of the doumbec small ‘tuned cymbals’ similar to modern-day Take a few moments to enjoy some superb
easily delivers an appropriate touch of Middle crotales. The rapid clanging rhythms produced music performed by skilled musicians.
Eastern spice. Also known as the darbuka, by musicians and dancers playing finger the doumbec bears a strong resemblance cymbals have been heard in the Middle East to its Sub-Saharan cousin, the djembe. The for centuries.
doumbec’s goblet-shaped shell combines with
a single head to produce a drum capable of a
My finger cymbals are always with me at
October 2019
Mark Shelton
Mark is a freelance musician and educational
consultant based in Dallas/Fort Worth. Performance
credits include North Carolina Symphony, Tin Roof
Tango, Daystar Singers & Band, Gateway Worship,
Strata Big Band, TALEA, and Dallas Wind Symphony.
www.marksheltonmusic.com
percussionforworship.blogspot.com
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