Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Day 344: shekere

A few years ago, I taught Kindermusik.  It was soooo much fun!  I loved making music with kiddos and their parents.  The babies and toddlers were my favorite groups to play with.  Too great!  Anyway, I did it for about three years when the economy started to take the downturn, and Kindermusik became a luxury that most in this town couldn't afford, and I couldn't continue it.  It's something that someday I hope to be able to do again, though.  One of the perks of teaching was acquiring a whole slew of fun musical instruments.  The shekere is one of my favorites.  I love the feel of the natural gourd in my hand and how you can play it in so many different ways.  I loved having the kids explore with it, because they always found a way to play it that I had never thought of before.

This might be the beginning of a short series of my instruments, since the kids dug them out the other day and have been performing in household bands and play-alongs.  We had them in the car for awhile, and although loud at least it was productive, fun loudness that I can deal with and not contentious or over-the-top silly loudness that is on its way to someone in tears!  Anyway, I digress. 

My pile of instruments.  Love 'em.

Love the shekere.




3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Finding this "German rooted word" was surely of interest.
Trying to communicate with my small son in a half singing/half talking way, seems to have worked, as he now starts singing his own songs about trains, dogs, birds and alike. Yes, guess that children may be much more closer to music than we'll ever know. Please have you all a good Wednesday.

;) said...

The best way to be a musician !!!

kathryn said...

Way cool.

Beautiful photos...I'm not familiar with this instrument.

You're opening me up to all kinds of new things, sweetie. I'm becoming downright worldly!