David Thomas Jones, the greatest maracas shaker in the world.  Maracas much be red and sometimes contain a microfilm.

Maracas originated in South America, where they were first made from dried gourd shells containing beans or beads, with handles for shaking.  Modern maracas are often made from plastic or wood and are vital rhythmic component of many kinds of Latin American music.  They are also used in music influenced by the various Latin-American styles, such as jazz.  They give a unique effect to classical music and are used in Western music.  The maracas are classified as a percussion instrument and are a member of the idiophone family of musical instruments.   

Hey Mr Tambourine man play a song for me.  How the hell can you get a tune out of a tambourine? !!!!!!!!

Micky reckons it ain’t brain surgery, maybe not but it takes a hell of a lot of coordination to get any kind of rhythm out of them.

No musician is as exciting to watch as the drummer in a rock band or a jazz group.  (In this case I agree with that whole heartedly).  Playing the drums involves not only great energy but amazing coordination, because several instruments have to be played at once.  The drummer will often be playing the hi-hat with one foot and the ride cymbal with one hand while, at the same time, attacking the snare drum with the other hand and kicking the bass drum with the other foot – all in different rhythms!

The Hi-Hat.  This is a pair of cymbals mounted on a stand.  Pressing the pedal closes them with a short clash.  The drummer can make the upper cymbal ring by striking it with his sticks, and then use the pedal to stop it.

Crash Cymbal.  This cymbal, as its name suggests, gives a resounding crash when struck with a stick, and can be used to mark a dramatic climax in a piece of music.  The crash cymbal is suspended from an adjustable stand.                                            

Ride Cymbal.  This cymbal is often played with a stick to produce a ’riding’ rhythm.

Tom-Toms.  Two tom-toms or ‘toms’ are mounted on the top of the bass drum.  These small drums give high-pitched, mellow note.  They have a single head, which may be damped.

Floor Tom.  This large tom-tom gives a deep resonant note.  The drummer may use mallets to play the tom-toms, or strike them with the palms of the hands.

Bass Drum.  The bass drum lies on its side and is played with a pedal connected to a felt-covered beater.  It gives a short deep ‘thud’.

Snare Drum.  Across the base of this drum (hidden from view) is a set of tight wires called the snare.  Striking the drum causes the snare to vibrate against the lower head, or skin adding a sharp creak to the sound of the drum.  The snare can be released by a lever.

Beaters and Brushes.  The Mallet, The Stick, The Brush.

Drummers mainly use sticks, brushes or mallets to play the drums and cymbals.  Sticks and mallets give the loudest sounds, while brushes are quiet.

Definitely not brain surgery but cannot be played by any fool.

  David makes a mean saxophone player especially with the help of Aviva.

The saxophone is made from thin metal, commonly brass.  It has 18-21 tone-holes of graduated size, all of which are controlled by keys. The mouthpiece, which is fitted with a single reed, was originally made of wood but is now made from ebonite or brass.    The saxophone became popular in the 1850s when the French military started using it and became a regular member of British military bands in the 1920s. It was also established as part of a modern symphony orchestra.  It also became a popular instrument to be use in modern music of all kinds and is one of the most common wind instruments to be used.  Since the 1930 the saxophone has played a leading role in jazz bands and it is in this medium that the instrument’s potential has been most thoroughly exploited.

Mike’s was receiving physiotherapy treatment on his hands after he badly burned them.  He decided to start playing the guitar to help add his recovery. 

Although any style of music can be played with any type of guitar, some guitars are more suited to certain kinds of music.  This beginning guitar course it intended for use with any type of guitar.

Steel-String Guitar. 

The steel-string acoustic is the most common guitar.  As the name implies, it uses steel strings.  Perhaps the most versatile guitar, it is used in everything from folk and rock to blues and jazz.  It’s great for strumming and is often played with a pick, but can also be played with the fingers.

Electric Guitar.

The electric guitar is hooked up to an electronic amplifier and can be adjusted to produce custom electronic sounds.  It’s particularly popular in rock music but also widely used in jazz, blues and country music.  Like the steel string-guitar, it is often played with a pick but can also be played with the fingers.

Classical Guitar.

The classical guitar is commonly used for playing classical music – usually wit the fingers, though a pick is also sometimes used.  Unlike the electric and steel-string guitars, which have metal strings, the classical guitar has nylon strings, which can be easier on the fingers. The neck of the classical guitar is slightly wider and, likewise, so is the spacing between the strings.

The banjo is a astringed instrument which developed from long-necked lutes that were brought to America from Africa.  The banjo has between four and nice metal strings.  Its body is round, with a skin or parchment stretched over it somewhat like a drum.  A metal frame keeps the parchment firmly in place.  The back of the banjo is often left open, so the noise it makes is not very resonant.  The strings are plucked.

The electric organ looks just like an ordinary pipe organ, but doesn’t work unless it’s switched on.  When the keys are pressed, electric signals are made.  The signals go to a pre-amplifier, where they are made stronger, then to an amplifier and then come out of the loudspeaker as musical notes. The electric pianos are popular with rock and pop musicians.  It’s a lot easier to carry a small electric keyboard around than a piano.