Thread: Opinions wanted (mostly Chicago & Midwest)

Tribal Revolution has just wrapped up and we had melody classes (taught by the lovely Melissa Murphey of Ishtar) for the first time. They were a hit! We also had a TON of live music with Carmine Guida, August Herr from Mezmer Society, and Gaiananda. It was a total blast and it got me thinking.....

How many of you or folks you know who play an instrument would be interested in a couple of music-focused events in the Chicago area? All would be welcome to bring whatever instrument you play, Middle-Eastern or not and learn songs and ensemble skills. There'd be classes in drumming at different levels and melody making from playing basic tunes to playing a taqsim. In the evening we'd have a "jaslah," which is Melissa's term for a more music focused hafla.... a real jam session with open dancing but no dance performing.

I'm thinking I might do this a few times a year to create a musical series and build a Midwestern music community to go along with our booming dance community. All of the above named entities are interested in making this happen, but I can't bring them all here if nobody's coming to the workshops and jaslah!

How 'bout it Chi-town and beyond? Interested?

I dont play an instrument.. but I would certainly support the scene! Tribal Rev was absolutely amazing this year!

Nilaja

Originally Posted by theesfield

I dont play an instrument.. but I would certainly support the scene! Tribal Rev was absolutely amazing this year!

Nilaja

Oh, but you *could*. I'm thinking of taking up cumbus (a sort of Turkish banjo-y thing) since I miss playing music and my piano is not so portable as I'd like it to be. ..c::

I've played the C flute for a long time...I could certainly switch it up to a different wind instrument..g.:

Originally Posted by taobellydancer

I've played the C flute for a long time...I could certainly switch it up to a different wind instrument..g.:

You wouldn't have to! These classes would be all about making *any* instrument work for ME music! There were 2 flute players in the workshops at Tribal Rev and they did great!

Really folks... I KNOW some of you were in high school band. Go in the basement/attic/garage and find that old dusty instrument. Give it a new life!!

*bonus points to anyone showing up with a tuba!..l;,

Ear- and eye-witness here: tuba and ukulele (attached to a powerbook, even) work well for ME music.

Well, I had a BLAST at Tribal Revolution...as did my boots! Hehehehe
Seriously, though, I'm interested in taking more doumbek classes and was wondering... couldn't zils count as a separate percusion instrument to join in on an ensemble, too?

Originally Posted by Lesgemini_Zafirah

Well, I had a BLAST at Tribal Revolution...as did my boots! Hehehehe
Seriously, though, I'm interested in taking more doumbek classes and was wondering... couldn't zils count as a separate percusion instrument to join in on an ensemble, too?

Absolutely!!! And For those who want, I know Carmine also teaches Riq. We could have one dangerous orchestra on our hands if we're not careful!

Originally Posted by mihri

Absolutely!!! And For those who want, I know Carmine also teaches Riq. We could have one dangerous orchestra on our hands if we're not careful!

Carmine was an excellent doumbek instructor...and I'm definitely interested in the Riq!!! Does he also teach zils, like Karim Nagi did in TR2007? And is Karim coming back, too?

Originally Posted by steffib

Ear- and eye-witness here: tuba and ukulele (attached to a powerbook, even) work well for ME music.

Ukulele??? Seriously??? I play uke! (Not great, but I can plunk a tune.)

Originally Posted by mihri

*bonus points to anyone showing up with a tuba!..l;,

Dude, you asked for it--I'm going to haul my French horn out of mothballs! ..l;,

~~Kimahri

Originally Posted by donnadiva

Ukulele??? Seriously??? I play uke! (Not great, but I can plunk a tune.)

I kid you not. A friend of mine joined with his uke. He had to amplify it, though.

people.. uke, french horn, whatever!! I'd like to see someone on the harmonica.

Yes, the zils are an instrument. No, we're not doing Karim for this first one since he'll already be here as a part of the Aida Nour weekend. ;-)

I think it sounds great! I have a bass guitar, but I'm not very good with it. I can dust it off and give it a try. OR I can try to convince my husband to come out with his electric guitar.

ROCK ON!! Melissa's band, Ishtar has electric guitar in it, so it *can* be done!

Seriously, she recommends using an instrument you're familiar with before trying out something like the oud or saz when starting to play ME music. Bring on the axes!!

Well, I'm in the Midwest, but unfortunately completely talentless when it comes to instruments. Except zills.

A quick aside: I don't actually personally believe that the term 'Midwest' should apply to Great Lakes border states. We're the NORTH. There's an east, west, south, north, and middle. So that's my two cents.