It's Time to Forge some New Traditions
A collection of instruments for those who feel under pressure during the annual showcase of talents
Sure who hasn't ended up on the roof at some point
We've all been there; It's Christmastime, possibly slightly before but more likely in the heady days following, bellies full, head swimming slightly. The family are gathered around, someone's telling a story. They're getting a little rowdy and nobody is quite sure just where this tale leads. With the good grace and subtlety borne from decades of these types of situations, an aunt begins to sing. With a little mumbling, the storyteller quiets.....
Oh no, you think. It's happening again.
Sometimes these familial sessions can come with some.....trepidation. The songs begin to move around the room, family members picking up with a Christmas classic or that thing that they do well, that everyone loves to hear.
But what about you? The circle isn't that wide and eventually it always comes around and really, you're tired of waving it off. Being demure. Pretending this isn't who you are.....
It's time to SHINE!
With this in mind, I have a selection of instruments that you can keep in the back pocket (some literally, most less so) with which you can BLOW SOME MINDS this festive season. You want to, I want you to, so let's do this.
Rhythm and Melody
Meinl KA9WW-BK Wah Wah Kalimba
Alright! So you’ve just heard Fairytale in New York again but has anyone ever seen this! Everybody loves a little wah-wah in their lives, so MEINL came up with a kalimba featuring a body-oriented sound hole in place of the traditional solid style. You can create a great wah-wah effect by simply bouncing the kalimba body on and off your torso as you play. Unexpected, hilarious and guaranteed to either raise some eyebrows or get a laugh. Perfect.
Schlagwerk Log Drum, 6 Tones F-Penta, Padouk
Someone invariably has a guitar. There may be a fiddle if you’re further West, possibly a whistle. But has anyone ever seen one of these at Christmas! HaHa! I think not! It’s time to take them on a journey, a vision quest to a time before time……or something. The general concept of this 6-tone drum is based on an F-Pentatonic scale. Not that that matters. The Padouk playing surface ensures a soft and full sound for harmonious sound patterns, which is something we should all strive for at Christmas.
Okay, so people are going to notice you have brightly coloured bells on your person. But fear not! All will be forgiven and the room will go misty-eyed with festive cheer when you start your heartfelt rendition of Jingle Bells with these wonderful tuned hand bells. Sing everyone! Sing with me!
The Bells!
Melody and Charm
“Ahh how lovely” says Gran “He’s got a little piano”. Well now. It looks relatively innocuous but when you put that tube to your lips and start BLOWING IN TO THE PIANO! Well, I just wish I could be there. Best. Christmas. Ever.
pBone Mini Trombone in Red with Bag and Mouthpiece
For the uninitiated, it may look like you somehow got a trombone from a giant cracker when no one was looking. Aren’t they in for a treat! I can picture it now; someone has just finished a very moving Sean Nós version of The Water is Wild. You stand up. Pucker your lips. And it’s ‘Eye of the Tiger” Baby! Yes. You are hereafter invited to all the parties.
Fender Midnight Blues Harmonica, Key of A
Okay, so the trombone is a little much. You like the vibe but the situation calls for less. Well this is perfect. It’s hidden. It’s in your pocket. Not a soul suspects that there’s a renowned Bluesman (or Woman) in their midst. It’s the perfect crime, I mean, addition, to everyone’s collective pleasure. These are powerful tones from a professional quality Harmonica. If that doesn’t scream, Christmas, I don’t know what will…..
It even comes with a little cloth for Christmas dribbles
…..Unless it’s this! It’s a piano. It’s a folding piano. Who could possibly even begin to imagine that you have a piano on your person. A piano! Hidden! It’s Christmas magic. Unbelievably, it's only 39cm when folded. This amazing little guy has built in speakers so you can wow your audience and better yet, it has 30 demo songs, so you can just pretend to play! Amazing.
Charm and um….Charm?
Meinl Chimes 27 Bars, Single Row
More of an aid to storytelling in this context, you will be able to give your reminiscences a very cinematic feel with this beautiful set of chimes. Simply run your fingers across the bars and be transported, back, back into the past……
Remember with me......
Stagg CAS-WT Traditional Wooden Hand Held Castanets
Now we’re grooving. Your turn arrives. You stand. Arms bent and ready, you throw your head back and the spirit takes you, the spirit of Flamenco! Clicketty Clacketty go the thingies, you dance and whirl, the Oooohs and Aaaahs of your family members like gentle pats upon the cheek. You finish, take another small sip of sherry and think to yourself ‘The best €9.95 I’ve ever spent on anything in my life’
Majestic!
Percussion Plus PP693 Class Percussion Pack
Okay, bear with me on this one. It’s always been a troubling time because you are perhaps, not all that comfortable being the centre of attention. What better solution than this then? An entire world of percussion instruments, maracas, castanets, jingle sticks, tambourines and more. Hand them out to your bemused and reluctant family members. Have you drawn up a chart beforehand with everyone’s parts? Of course you have. Time to laboriously school each member on their individual sections until you come together like a glorious Christmas Orchestra of wood and skin! I feel the love!
All of this could be yours! Your family will congratulate you for generations....
Or there's always this option.....
Fun Options for Festive Fun Times!
There's more, there's always more, so stay tuned.
Chat soon.