Back in 1984, in a Mother Earth News article (photo at left is from article), Assunta Martin wrote that she and her husband were making handcrafted drums, "appealing to both the artist and the musician in us." She gives step-by-step instructions for making your own unique drums and I swear this reads like a really pleasurable hobby (not only a hobby for them, as their drums sold for up to $50 at craft and music shops and $100 for special orders -- 25 years ago).I found this article because I was thinking about, and then Googled, the phrase March to the Beat of Your Own Drum.
I was thinking about that particular phrase because it was what came to mind when I looked at multi-track videos by a guy who calls himself Trudbol at youtube. My husband came upon Trudbol's videos because he happens to like barbershop quartets and was viewing some when this guy's multi-track work came into the menu.
Barbershop quartet music ranks low in the genres of music for me. It has just always seemed very corny to me. But Mike has a true appreciation for it so every once in awhile it plays in the background when he's on the computer and I'm busy elsewhere, usually when I'm preparing dinner. So one evening when something on the computer sounded not only passable, but good to me I walked over to see who Mike was listening to.....
It was Trudbol ... one who definitely marches to the beat of his own drum and who delights me because he does. You may or may not see in him what I do, but for something different you might want to give a listen to his work. Each of these videos is short. And I think quite brilliant.
The final one doesn't have anything to do with singing, drums, or marching but the phrase March to the Beat of Your Own Drum is alive and well in the 25 second clip.
(The artist asks that we please listen to this with earphones. I thought it was fine without them.)
.
