Instructor Cynthia
4 hour session
Minimum # of participants: 4 / Maximum # of participants: 6
"The drum, it is the heartbeat of our Mother Earth. If you feel disconnected and unbalanced, try playing a drum. By drumming you will automatically start moving the energy inside your body, you'll feel the heartbeat, it will create a rhythm to match your own heart. Close your eyes, become one with your drum, feel the tension relax in your shoulders and throughout your entire body, allow the energy to become unblocked inside your body. This is why I play the drum.
To make your own personal drum, prepare to become even more aware of things Mother Earth provides for you to do this. The gourds are grown and dried. This process takes almost a year. Each a unique shape and size, not unlike ourselves. While preparing the gourd for it's goat skin hide, the outside and inside must be cleaned so all the energy can flow easily and clearly through your drum. A goat hide is placed on the top and bottom of the gourd, creating two different sounds, one lower than the other. You may prefer one sound to the other depending on your mood.
After the wet hide is stretched on the gourd frame, it must dry 24 hours before you get to play your drum. It will create a flat sound if you drum before it is totally dry. After it is dry, you can decorate the hide, although I prefer them natural.
Decorations on the gourd could be as simple as some beads and/or feathers. We will discuss the possibilities during class time. A beater will also be created by you after your drum is finished.
We will take time to talk and share what we know about the drum and how it makes us feel. I have several drums in the studio for you to try. You will be amazed at how drumming will magnify your connection with the earth. A good drumming session will help you understand and feel the healing and relaxation that comes when you drum.
Gourds have been a big part of my artistic life in the last ten years. For thousands of years, people all over the world, have used gourds as instruments, storage containers, bowls/cups and dippers. It is amazing how much you can create with something so simple and grown from the earth."
Meet at the artist’s beautiful country studio.
Price: $90.00 per person
This activity is currently taking part in our "For Couples" Event - check it out!
