Since moving west, DH and I have both entered into a musical phase. He has been playing guitar, and I have been doing my usual floundering about. I have a couple of Native American flutes which I enjoy playing around with, and I am taking a workshop on March 1st with Gary Stroutsos. I joined a marimba class last year, which I enjoyed immensely but did not continue for various reasons. I have always been drawn to drumming, but I am spinning my wheels on that one right now, trying to figure out what kind of drum(s) (because knowing me, there will be more than one) I want/need. That path may become more clear in April, when I’ll go to the World Rhythm Festival in Seattle. For now, I play around with a drum beater and a tambourine, a small kid’s drum that I picked up at the thrift store, and a snare drum practice pad.
DH, who is usually pretty good about figuring out what I need, especially when I am clueless, said that I should try a xylophone, since I want to both beat on something and have many notes to play. So off I went to do my research on the computer. After reaching the conclusion that xylophones are even more rare than tongue drums in the Seattle area, I decided to see what instruments were listed on Craig’s List. And lo and behold, what did I find but a xylophone, for next to no money, only 45 miles from home!
So please meet my other new toy:
It came with a ton of sheet music, a beginning band textbook for learning percussion and xylophone, and the before mentioned snare drum pad.
My favorite toy when I was little was – yes – my Fisher Price Xylophone, so I think we may be on to something here! And I am loving all the extra notes!
I think it is so interesting that the things I liked the best in my childhood are re-emerging as I get older. Hmmmmm…..sounds like a topic for another blog post as February winds along!
