Posts : 861 Join date : 2008-02-13 Location : Honolulu, Hawaii
Don't know what it's like in you neck of the woods but here, the Cajon box drum seems to be vogue (popular). I'm hearing many clubs are suggesting bands they hire to not have a drum set but have the drummer play the Cajon instead. Now I'm not one who's thrilled to sit on a box on stage tapping away at it. Although I've heard these young guys rip on these things. But I still don't think a Cajon drum meets the dynamic player. But if I have to use them I will and try having fun while doing it (with eyes rolling backwards at the same time)
I've always equated them with when africans in the new world were prohibited from playing drums they used wooden boxes in place of them. I've heard them used well in all kinds of professional settings in all kinds of combinations with other instruments.. I have had a passing interest in using one. They have alot of options and you can customise them.
Posts : 861 Join date : 2008-02-13 Location : Honolulu, Hawaii
Wood, Spanky and Ted thanks for your honest reply.
Cahon; pronounced 'ka-hoon' Kenny, I thought you might a bit on these drums. When I first saw these, I sensed it had to be from another country. Thank you for the gathered information on the Cahon drum.
And yes Boomer, Peru seems to be a likely place of origin of these drums. Recently one gig so far had me replace playing my drums with the Cajon. At first I found it to be awkward but in a few minutes started to flow.
It's basically using the lower palm of the hand producing a bass drum effect following an open-hand striking the top portion of the box having a snare sound. The back of the box has an open port hole for acoustical reasons and for mic placement. Inside you will find a snare strand similar to a normal snare.
I may go as far as having at least one 6" splash for completing a roll.
Interesting piece of musical instrument minus the visual aesthetic we are so use to. But we need to understand the world-environment these drums have organically evolved from. The picture above is an american version of what is much more crude in it's original design.
A friend was nice enough to send a vid (below) of it's basic understanding and practicality of the Cahon drum. We can rip on these people! Check it out.
Got to admit it's a lot easier than hauling a set of drums, but never....never be a replacement of the drum set..... that's for sure Aloha,
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