Learn to make and play African Marimbas
Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 6:16 pm

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with Russell Matthews, from Golden Bay, Nelson New Zealand.

This is a unique chance to learn from a master; Russell lead the Marimba group Mweya, who performed at WOMAD 2005, Taranaki, New Zealand.

The workshop is targeted towards''Marimbas in Schools' a project where the technology and music teachers can combine to provide marimbas to children. Learn to make, and play these exciting communal playing instruments. On this workshop, you'll learn how, and participate in, making a marimba, and play some simple rhythms.

You will end the course with a comprehensive manual on building a marimba, and the experience in making and tuning one.

When, where and how much

The course runs on a Friday night, then all day Saturday and Sunday (2 choices)

Date: Course 1 , 16th to 18th May 2008, Course 2 23rd to 25th May 2008

Place: Friday Night, Rhythm Centre, unit 2/7 Westech Place in Kelston Weekend. Kelston Girls College, 1 Archibald Rd, Kelston.

Time: Friday 6:00 pm for registration, till 9:30pm
Saturday and Sunday 9:00 am start. Finish 5pm

Cost: $200, includes all materials and notes. Bookings and full payment before course is essential.

What to bring, lunch, keen ears, pen and note paper, clothes suitable for woodworking in.

Course limited to 12 participants

Please contact

Ian Drower 09 4254044, 021 448801 [email protected]

Talk to me if your school is interested in getting a marimba from this course.

Course Outline and format

The courses run over 3 days, a Friday night, the Saturday and Sunday.
Friday night is for some fun, introductions to marimbas, the music behind them, and each other. You'll get to hear about the tonal temperment scale used on these sorts of instruments, and to hear why its important. We'll get to play some this night.

We'll get together in groups of three, that we'll work in over the weekend to create a marimba, and then get to play some simple rhythms on the marimbas at the NZ Rhythm Centre.

You get some experience working with wood working tools, sometimes a first for some people!!

Saturday and Sunday, we'll be making up the marimbas, keys, resonators, mallets and frames. By Sunday night, four marimbas will be ready to leave the workshop for a new home!

The marimbas are made of dried, untreated dressed pine, and produce a wonderful sound. The material will be precut in most cases, like a kitset.

Each of the marimbas produced will be destined for a school of choice by the class. The school will be expected to contribute $300 towards the marimba,
not bad for an instrument worth up to, and over $1000.!!!

While Russell is in Auckland, he will be available for extra one day workshops during that time to look at the finer points on finishing, tuning and maintaining the marimbas.

This workshop is supported by the NZ Rhythm centre, who have an active keen marimba playing group .

See http://www.rhythmcentre.org/

RUSSELL MATTHEWS

Russell has been playing African marimba for 15 years. He began drumming with the group Jambalaya in 1989, receiving training in Caribbean drumming particularly Haitian rhythms from Ramsey Najm, an accomplished musician/composer from USA and his partner Sue Halkin who professionally taught Haitian and Cuban dance. The marimbas were added 3 years later. Russell also plays improvisational piano and recorder and has had training and experience in choir and solo voice. As musical director he focuses on song arrangements and composition of variation patterns and levels of fine tuning and finish.

Russell has also been teaching African marimba for 5 years in Motueka to the group Chimuka.

http://www.mweya.co.nz/index.html

RE: Learn to make and play African Marimbas
Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 10:05 am

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My Mum's in a Marimba group... cool sound.

RE: Learn to make and play African Marimbas
Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 7:17 pm

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