VIDEO
Percussion Primers: Exotic Percussion of the World [VHS]
$16.97
About this product:
I took a look at this video because I wanted some information about playing the doumbek, but I found the introductions to the other instruments somewhat interesting as well (if you fast-forward through some of the boring parts), and even if it was done in a dry studio setting. Robin Adnan Anders and others demonstrate the use of ceramic and metal doumbek, tambourine, tar, muzhar, tabla, bodhran, pandero, and tupan. Anders is rather wooden in his presentation; while the bodhran player was the most articulate and enthusiastic teacher. Without written notation for the intricate (to my beginner's mind) rhythms accompanying the video, the instruction was not nearly as helpful as it could have been. Much of the doumbek instruction is taken up with the various sounds the drum can make and how to make them, and tuning the drum. Tuning was not mentioned for all the instruments and the segments for each type of percussion are not of equal length - proportionally more time was spent on the doumbek than any other instrument. For a brief introduction on how to play the various instruments, this was an OK video, but we don't get much of a mention of the cultural or musical context from which the instruments originate, nor is it long on drill and practice for beginners. I'm sure all the teachers are skilled at playing their respective instruments, but I don't think as the back of the video package says, that it "gives the student a good start to becoming a professional player..." Not that that is my goal, nonetheless, I'd recommend looking elsewhere for more in-depth information on a single instrument, not 8 instruments. Even if you're looking for an overview of "exotic" percussion, it could have been better done. It could have been inspiring! "Exotic Percussion of the World," made in 1993 - 3 stars.
