(Non-instructional) book recommendations?

[Light Seeker]

Anybody know of any good books on drumming? Not necessarily about Afro-Cuban drumming alone, but drumming in general, with topics ranging from the philosophies behind drumming, to spiritual drumming, to history of drumming. The guy I bought my first congas from showed me a couple that sounded really good, but I didn't write down the titles and now I can't recall them. So if you know of any, lay 'em on me. Peace and thanks.
-Scott

[korman]

I think that anything on drumming in general would be largely a speculation. I've seen texts that say something like "people have played drums in a circle ever since the dawn of man", and it seems to me ignorant of all the cultural diversity that has existed.

Drumming is an important aspect in several (if not many) cultural traditions around the world and the philosophy behind drumming would likely be different in each of them. In cases where drumming is part of a ritual, the drumming is never a goal in itself or even the most important thing that's happening, on the contrary the drum is just a tool. So why not get a comprehensive book by respected ethnomusicologist on the musical and cultural tradition that you are especially interested?

I have not actually read any book specifically on conga drumming history (though there is a good essay by Nolan Warden available online somewhere), but Ned Sublette's "Cuba and it's music" seemed well researched to me and it has mostly received good reviews.



Edited By korman on 1192205091

[bongosnotbombs]

Sounds like your talking Planet Drum by Mickey Hart, I read that years ago.

Quick look on Amazon shows, looks kind of interesting

http://www.amazon.com/Cuba-It....1197445



Edited By bongosnotbombs on 1192205157

[Light Seeker]

Korman, you brought up a point that made me realize I should clarify what I originally said. By saying "drumming in general" I didn't necessarily mean a vague book on the HUGE topic of drumming in general, so much as any book on drumming traditions in general... could be West African, could be Native American, could be Indian, could be Brazilian, etc. However, books on drumming in general, however speculative, would still interest me. Thanks for the suggestion.

Bongosnotbombs, did you like Planet Drum? It sounds interesting to me.

[zumbi]

the healing drum
african wisdom teachings
yaya diallo & mitchell hall
destiny books

peace!

[JohnnyConga]

Hi LightSeeker here are a couple of books for you

Drums in the Americas by Dr. Joseph H. Howard-1967 Oak Publications

The 2 Books by John Storm Roberts

one called "Latin Jazz"(the first of the Fusions-1880's to today)...I'll give u others at another post but u can start there....Johnny Conga....

[Mike]

I read Planet Drum couple of years ago. Well, basically OK and interesting, especially concerning the different culutural backgrounds of drumming worldwide, but the spiritual side was overemphasized a bit. I don´t know, it´s somehow hippy to post-hippy stuff ???

Totally different: The Latin Tinge by John Storm Roberts. A cultural history of Latin music , acculturation through the ages. Unfortunately, there´s not much information on the background of our beloved drums, but at least it´s profound and well-researched and at the same time it reads like a good story. I can recommend it.

Let´s see what others come up with...

[Mike]

Quick look on Amazon shows, looks kind of interesting

http://www.amazon.com/Cuba-It....1197445

Hey BnB, I have just ordered this book. Sounds very interesting indeed.
Thanks.