Hello Sounding Out families
What a busy term this is! As well as working hard at your Year 6 schoolwork, some of you may have learned about Harvest Festival, Hallowe’en, Bonfire Night and Remembrance Day. We are now in the middle of another festival – DIWALI, which is celebrated my millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world.
Diwali is a five-day celebration known as the Festival of lights. This year Diwali began on Thursday and families will be lighting oil lamps, preparing delicious feasts to share and letting off fireworks.
Watch this short video to find out more and see a traditional stick dance performed by young people (and a Blue Peter presenter!)
If you have ever listened to music from India you will probably recognise the sound of the TABLA. This pair of drums, played with the hands, features in Indian classical music
Have a listen to the world famous Bickram Ghosh play in this clip. Tabla players do not use minims, crotchets and quavers to notate their rhythms. Instead, each of the different tones on the drum is represented by a different word. Players have to learn how to SAY the rhythms before they can PLAY them! You can hear Bickram do this at the start of the clip. It’s very fast! LISTEN to the huge range of sounds he creates using all parts of his hands and fingers on different parts of the drum. WATCH at around 1 minute in, when his hand is moving so fast, all you can see is a blur!
Of course, tablas are not just used in classical music. They have also been used in many other styles such as the soundtracks to Bollywood films. Have a listen to this musician who has added tabla rhythms to an Ed Sheeran track you might recognise. I think the rhythms fit really well!
Have a great week!
Jemma
P.S. If any of you ARE celebrating Diwali, I would LOVE to hear about it! You could even send me a photo!