3/14/16: Monday Funday Dance Party!

These are the Toelegu Pan Pipers from Toelegu Village, Havulei District, Isabel Province, the Solomon Islands.

When I talk about “Monday Funday Dance Party,” I’m serious about the dancing. If you’re in a place where you can cut a rug a little bit, you’ll just feel wonderful. And I say this with full knowledge that I am a terrible dancer.

I’m very impressed that these guys can play and dance at the same time. The dances themselves are not very difficult – even I could do that, after some practice. Of course, if I tried to play the pan flute at the same time, I’d just fall down. That’s one too many things for my brain to handle.

Check out the lower-pitched instruments and how they are being played, with those paddle things. I’ve seen Blue Man Group do something almost identical, but with PVC pipes (you’ll see it at about 1:30 in this video):

And Harry Partch’s Instrumentarium features instruments that also used pitched bamboo – the bamboo marimba and spoils of war come to mind.

http://www.harrypartch.com/#!instruments/csqv

You could make your own similar instruments, if you have access to PVC pipe and something to cut them to pitch (kids, and many adults, don’t try this. Too many opportunities to get hurt). And maybe some repurposed flip-flops for the paddles?

It should definitely be easy to make those cool shakers they’re wearing on their ankles. And so much fun while you’re dancing.

Featured Image courtesy of the Library of Congress.