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The frame drum is the oldest known drum on the planet. It arose in several areas of the world, independently of each other, and today many versions are still being used by different cultures around the world. We will be gathering at Swan's Nest Holistic Wellness and Nature Retreat, a private sanctuary atop the Oak Ridges Moraine, to build 12", 14" and 16" deerskin and sinew frame drum in the style of many First Nations, and shamanic cultures in Asia, Ireland, northern Europe, Scotland and Wales. Drums we make ourselves, out of materials that have been properly harvested, with respect given and permission received, are known to be the most healing, not just for you, but also for those you play it for.
We will start our day by grounding, smudging, and honouring and calling in the energies of the 7 directions to create ceremonial space. Then we will begin our sacred Mayan Cacao Ceremony, to help open our hearts and focus our intentions into the creative process.
After a short break for lunch (please bring your own), we will embark on a journey to build our drums and mallets. Once we are complete, we will not be able to play our drums, as they will still be drying, but Rufus has many frame drums that are ready to use. He will facilitate a short frame drum workshop to teach a few medicine songs we can all sing, and go over the fundamentals of shamanic drumming. We will then close the ceremony by honouring and thanking the 7 directions.
Swan's Nest is located just south of Hwy. 9, about 10 minutes West of the town of Schomberg. We’re only an hour’s drive from downtown Toronto, or a 35 minute drive north of the new Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Subway stop.
All materials and tools, and tea, coffee and some light, healthy snacks are provided.
Maximum 6 participants.
Cost:
$230 + HST* for the 12" drum & mallet
$245 + HST* for the 14" drum & mallet
$265 + HST* for the 16” drum & mallet
To hold a spot, I require a 50% deposit ($115, $122.50 or $132.50 respectively) via e-transfer to my email address: [email protected]. No passwords are required.
Participants will be accepted on a first come, first served basis on the order in which their e-transfers are received. NOTE: PLEASE BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN YOUR E-TRANSFER MESSAGE SO I CAN FOLLOW UP WITH YOU AND EMAIL YOU OUR ADDRESS.
The 50% balance is due upon arrival, and cash is preferred.
* If anyone requires a receipt, I will have to charge HST on top, and all payments can be made via e-Transfer if preferred.
Date and Time: Sunday, April 5th, 2024, from 11 am - 7:00 pm
Schedule:
11-11:15: Arrive, ground and smudge
11:15-12: Sacred Cacao Ceremony
12-12:30: Break for lunch (please bring your own)
12:30-6: Frame Drum & Mallet Making
6-7: Shamanic Drumming & Medicine Songs
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE DRUMS WE WILL BUILD:
We will build drums with a 12”, 14" or 16" diameter. Here’s why these drums are special:
- they sound great. Better than most.
- they are relatively inexpensive to make, and includes a drum stick we will also make.
- They are relatively easy to make, as the frames are already made, sanded and sealed. The deer skins are already pre-measured and cut, the holes pre-punched, and I will soak them overnight to make them ready to work with.
And after building many of these drums myself, I’m very impressed with these features:
- the wooden rings - I really like how strong they are, and how they are put together - they are made of 16 pieces, unlike the traditional 12 or 13. This lines up nicely with 16 pairs of holes, which come pre-cut in each drum skin.
- each section of the pinewood hoops have hidden wooden dowels attaching each section to each other and reinforcing the glue.
- Any drum can be broken, but this is one of the strongest I’ve ever made.
- the pine hoops have been expertly sanded, leaving a practically round shape, and a thin ridge which the drum skin and the sinew touches, which prevents rattling and humming, which can be a common problem with frame drums with flat edges.
- the rings have also been stained and waxed, for beauty and long lasting protection.
As you can see, these drums are tied together with sinew, instead of buckskin strips. Sinew has many advantages:
- they make drums easier to build.
- it’s easier to keep the drum skin tight as you build.
- we won’t have to spend any time cutting and tying pieces of buckskin together either, allowing us to take our time building our drums.
- it doesn’t change tension with the humidity, meaning the drum will shrink and stretch less than a drum laced with buckskin.
Sinew has a couple of disadvantages due to its thinness:
- we have to be a bit more careful when tightening, so we don’t tear the drum skin, or hurt our hands.
- It also requires a handle, to make it more comfortable to hold and play, which we will make by wrapping faux leather strips around the centre - this can look quite nice as you can see in the photos - with the 4 colours of the medicine wheel.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Swan's Nest Holistic Wellness & Nature Centre, 12th Concession, Schomberg, ON L0G 2T0, Canada
