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January 2009 Newsletter
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Winter 2009 Established 1996 Volume 4, Issue 1 |
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What's New With Shorty?
 The October container was full of beautifully carved djembes and nice djun sets from Ivory Coast. We also received a shipment of regular and small djembes and  percussion instruments from Ghana in December.
We now have thin (split) cowhide rounds (without hair) that are for djembes. Cut to your drum’s dimensions, they are $30.00 a piece. Call me if you'd like one.
My friend Clint Bach and I are having lots fun building new drums. Clint makes tank drums with mesmerizing sounds that can be tuned to your specs. Just give me a call and I'll hook you up with one. We took Clint to Paralounge where he became enchanted by the deep voices of the Taiko drums. Upon returning home he immediately built a taiko class drum. You can see me playing it on youtube by clicking here. Playing this drum is addictive.
We will send a flyer announcing the next container (probably February). Let me know about any special requests for items from the Ivory Coast now because the carvers are already busy loading the container. Call 800-549-3966 or email shorty@goatskins.com.
Please visit us at www.goatskins.com
Percussion and More!
 We have always had percussion instruments and drum accessories when vending at shows. They come from many places including Ghana, Guinea, Senegal, India, South America, and Pakistan. As per customer request we added them to the website. They are not on the shopping cart so please call to order.
www.goatskins.com/percussion2.htm
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Joke: Why did the drummer stare at the frozen juice can?
Answer: Because it said "concentrate."
Visit our Blog
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In This issue
Whats New with Shorty
Upcoming Events
Percussion and More
New Items
Shorty's Tip
Dear Shorty
Winter Special
Drum Dictionary
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Friday, February 6th, 2009
Drums For Cures presents a
Not So Silent Auction
Charlotte, N.C.
www.drumstrong.org
or call Scott Swimmer
704-996-9170.
MARCH 20-22
4th Annual Drum Circle Facilitation Conference
PRESCOTT Resort in
Prescott, Arizona
www.dcfg.net
April 24 - 26, 2009
ParaLounge
River Rendevous Campground
Convict Springs, Florida
www.paralounge.net
May 5th - 10th, 2009
Blue Ridge Mountains African Drum & Dance Camp
Wildacres Retreat,
Little Switzerland, NC
Event is full - waiting list
www.kumandi.com
October 16-18, 2009
TaKeTiNa Workshop
Atlanta
www.taketina.com
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Remember
to ask about bulk rates, wholesale pricing and
drum teacher discounts.
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New Items
Thin Cowhide
Rounds for djembes
$30.00
Banana Bells
$27.00 set of 3
Cascas
$6.00 each
Kaftans
$25.00 each
(Limited Supply)
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Tank Drum
$250.00
“The tank drum arrived yesterday.
Very cool! I sat in the garage and
played for about 45 minutes as soon
as I opened it up. Thanks for making
it available! " D P
These unique drums are available
by special order. They have 9 notes
and come in different keys.
They sound amazing!
Click hear to see and hear one.
Happy New Year!
Thank-you for doing business
with us. We hope to continue
to do business with you for
many more years to come.
Our main goal is to provide
you with quality service at
reasonable prices.
Shorty & Sandy
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In Stock!
Conga Shells
$100 - 180.00
Metal Agogos
$10 - 25.00
Cowhides
from Guinea
$90 - 120.00
Djembes
from Ghana
$90 - 150.00
Goatskin
Seconds
$8.00
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Some items are not on the website. Call or email for ordering information
shorty@goatksins.com 800-549-3966 www.goatskins.com
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Tip:Don’t Be Greedy
Don't get greedy when pulling a wet head. I say this because when you do get greedy you will more then likely end up with the rings crooked. My goal when putting on a head is not to see how tight I can get it but to keep the rings level. You do this by going around a wet drum multiple times. The first 2-4 times I go around all I am doing is pulling the slack out without putting any pressure on the rings. It comes down in this process but not significantly.
Once the rope starts to get a little tight you can start working it down. When going around I try to leave the ring up a little high at the start by the loop (or tie off point if you use that method). That way when you come back around you try to have a slope down on the ring in both directions from the starting point. When you pull it at this point it comes into level. Remember that when you are pulling the ring down, it will move ahead of where you are pulling and behind where you are pulling so you have to think ahead and not pull down completely when it is high where you are pulling, go down several verticals and pull there and what you left high behind will come down. |
Dear Shorty 
“Oh my goodness! I LOVE these drums! They are beautiful and sound great! All 5 are safe and sound ! I might want 5 more..” AJ
*****
“I replaced my djembe head last night with the one you sold me (and with the help of the video I purchased from you a while back). Though it hasn't finished drying yet, it looks beautiful, and I couldn't be happier with my purchase. Watching your instructional video again was also a pleasure. Thanks a lot for the quality that you bring to you endeavors. May it continue and be reflected back to you more times than you can count. Cheers, M”
*****
 Winter Special
Mention this Ad!
Free DVD
How To Re Head A Djembe
With purchase of
Drum Kit $145.00
djembe shell, skin, rings, rope
Limited to one DVD per customer
Expires February 28, 2009
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Drum Dictionary
Arthur Hull, The Father of Drum Circle Facilitation”
We asked, Arthur Hull, a dynamic and delightful person, some  questions about drum circle facilitation and himself. He gave us lots of answers. More than can be included here. Please go to www.goatskins.com/Arthur.htm. to read his interview in full. You can also read more about him, his new book, drum circle facilitation, drum circle etiquette and much more www.drumcircle.com.
Q. People call you the "father of drum circle facilitation." What are your feelings about this title?
A. The tag line "father of drum circle facilitation" was given to me by Mickey Hart and has stuck. Although I am definitely one of the early p ioneers of the facilitated drum circle movement, I am not all that comfortable with the word "Father", my role has been more that of a midwife, facilitating the birth of recreational drumming communities in many parts of the world and helping to berth this phenomenon into our cultural experience. Today there are many more recreational drumming midwives facilitating around the world.
Q. What is a facilitated drum circle?
A. A drum circle is a fun drum and percussion jam, typically with players of varying musical levels, ages and ethnicities. Most commonly, a drum circle is an entry level event into the world of recreational musicmaking, as you need no previous musical experience.
Q. You discuss 3 aspects of drum circle facilitation. What are they?
A. They are; (A) Circle Facilitation Skills, (B) Musicality And (C) Presence. "Circle Facilitation Skills" involves the "Technical aspects of facilitating" an interactive drum circle event. "Musicality" is the understanding the "Basic principles of group rhythm and music making". "Presence" is about "How" you show up as a facilitator, and most importantly "Why".
Q. What are the benefits of a drum circle?
A. Massage and Community. A kinesthetic vibration is created when a group of people plays drums together. That harmonic vibration creates a massage that permeates the bodies, hearts and minds of every one in or near the drum circle. That vibration will always seek out and massage any stressful emotional, mental, or physical part of some one that needs it. So a drum circle is a deep stress relief agent. drum circle event is a "Be Here Now" event. The intimate interaction, cooperation, and collaboration of creating "In-The-Moment-Music" with a group of people, creates an instant camaraderie and connection between all the participants involved.
Q. You teach others how to facilitate drum circles. How can a person become a facilitator?
A. Drum circle facilitation can be learned by anyone who sees a need to help people create community and connection through the use of interactive rhythm based events., and has the passion to share their bliss with other people. ou can learn a lot about facilitation as a participant in a "facilitated" drum circle. Of the people that I have taught to facilitate rhythm based events, about 2/3s of them are functioning here in the United States as School Teachers, Music Teachers, Drum Teachers, Music Therapists, Kids At Risk Professionals, Corporate Facilitators or just family friendly Community Drum Facilitators.
Q. Through your work, what do you hope to achieve?
A. My goal is to help create a "Rhythmically Enabled" world society where rhythmical spirit can be sheared as a part of celebrating life and community.
To learn more about Drum Circle Facilitation visit
http://www.dcfg.net and www.drumcircle.com
Life is a dance!
 Visit Us
www.goatskins.com
800-549-3966
shorty@goatskins.com
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