Join our Monthly Frame Drumming Group!

The Unitarian Universalist Church
3/12 East Main St.
Canton, NY 13617
Next Meeting: Tuesday, January 27th from 6:30 to 8:00 pm
"Drumming for Meditation and Spirituality"
Contact Caron Collins at [email protected]
PictureEdwin Longsden Long, "Anno Domini"
Frame drumming has a rich and ancient history, dating back to at least 2380 BCE in Mesopotamia. It is one of the oldest percussion instruments and has been used in music, ritual, and spiritual ceremonies across diverse cultures and regions.  In recent times, frame drumming has experienced a modern revival, with musicians, healers, and educators exploring its diverse possibilities and uses.
Dr. Caron Collins, Adjunct Instructor of Frame Drum at The Crane School of Music, brings her playing and teaching experience to the North Country of New York.  She leads this monthly frame drumming group where you can learn and enjoy playing Persian style drumming along with familiar chants.  It’s easy to learn and fun to play the techniques and rhythmic patterns of frame drumming. No previous musical experience is required.  Bring your own frame drum or use one of Caron’s variety frame drums and instruments.   

Below is a video of her Crane School of Music frame drumming students presenting a demonstration of the different tars, riqs, katim, and daff instruments

Participation is free of charge and open to all ages, genders, and abilities!

Instructional resources  
HISTORY: "It was only quite recently discovered that the drum was played predominately by women, in ancient times. Thousands of images depicting a women holding or playing a frame drum have been found in the form of statuary, relief, vase painting, hieroglyph and votive offerings. The artifacts showing women drummers have been unearthed from archeological digs and have been discovered hiding in plain sight in countless museums and private collections throughout the world." (Source: www.sacreddrumming.com/drumming-history)
Watch this 15-minute video of the late Layne Redmond, researcher and author of "When the Drummers Were Women". 
FUNDAMENTAL PLAYING TECHNIQUES: In this video, Caron shares how to play basic strokes on the frame drum in the seated lap style.  Drumming along with videos and recordings of professional musicians can be enjoyable as an individual or together as a group. The two play-along patterns, demonstrated in this video, were enjoyed at The Pierrepont Players past Summer Solstice Celebration.  These, and other rhythmic combinations, are easily learned and played at our monthly Frame Drum Group gatherings.
Note: Links to the play-along videos can be found in the description and comments of the video on YouTube.  Select "Watch on YouTube". 
RECOMMENDED FRAME DRUMS:  Miranda Rondeau, musician, teacher and composer of many drumming chants, describes recommended drums.  I use all sizes of Remo Fiberskyn and Remo Renaissance frame drums as great entry-level instruments. They are available online as well as from Brick and Mortar Music in Potsdam.  I also have several professional Cooperman Frame Drums that are tunable and made in Vermont.  A link to their website can be found in the Websites section below. 
Remo Frame drums from 10 inches to 22 inches are available to use at all of our monthly gatherings. 
RITUAL PROCESSIONAL TECHNIQUES : In this video, Caron shares how to play easy rhythms, while stepping in a procession, on various Arabic instruments: sistrum, bass frame drum, sagats (finger cymbals), riqq (tambourine), tar (main frame drum). This combination of instruments and rhythmic patterns were performed by our past Frame Drum Group for a Mabon and Autumn Equinox celebration.  These instruments and patterns (along with others) can be learned and enjoyed together at our monthly Frame Drum Group gatherings. Here is the document of the notation for the processional.
All instruments are available to play at our monthly gatherings. 
HOW TO PLAY THE DAFF: My teacher, Naghmeh Faramand, demonstrates an introductory lesson on the basic strokes and Persian patterns on the Daff.  Doum, Tak, Ka are slightly different than on the Tar (frame drum).  Wrist motion powers the sound of the strokes rather than movement from the fingers, as on the Tar. The Daff is available to play at our monthly Frame Drum Group gatherings. 
CHANTING RESOURCES:
Click on the links below in green for documents to download for various drumming chants we enjoy in our Frame Drum Group:

"I am Love" document and chant by Miranda Rondeau Video ---> 
"I am the Earth" document  and chant video--->
Performed by: Kadi Toom, Marii Väljataga (Marii Val), Helen Kübar Music and lyrics by: Birgid Täht and Marii Valjataga Arranged and produced by: Marii Väljataga
"We are Created by Sound" document and chant video--->
Video by Bobi Sauder. This is the chorus from a song by Alexa Sunshine Rose.
"Peaceful Steps" document and chant video --->
Caron's instructional video for playing and singing this song by Leilah Be. 
"I Release and I Let Go" document and chant video --->
Meditative chant by Miranda Rondeau especially for labyrinth walking.
"Meditation on Breathing" document and chant video--->
Words and Music by Sarah Dan Jones
Drumming below by Caron Collins
Melody: Play Iqa Baladi drumming throughout the chant "when I breathe in...".  
Descant: Play zills (finger cymbals) on beat one at the start of the descending descant. 
Drone: Play long "cha" drumming strokes in circular motion on "breathe in breathe out" drone. 
WEBSITES:  click on the links below in green
Maqam World website provides Iqa  'at or Arabic rhythmic patterns, used for playing together in frame drumming and Arabic music groups.  
Cooperman Frame Drums of Vermont.  Hand crafted, locally sourced, high quality professional frame drums.  When you are ready for the next step up! 

Websites of Layne Redmond's students:
Frame Drum Circle Songs website for online instruction classes by Miranda Rondeau for chanting and drumming.
Marla Leigh website for the Frame Drum Academy online instruction for basic to advanced playing techniques. 
Krista Holland website for online instruction for sacred frame drumming. 
Barbara Gail website for online instruction for tambourine and riq. 
Tahya Love website online instruction on the sacred history of the sistrum. 

    Questions?  Contact Caron: