South African tin whistle

 

 It was a Thursday evening while cleaning up the dishes that I  recently heard a recording on  KBCS 91.3 here in New York City.  I was  listening to the tin whistle present itself like I have never heard before.  It was Spokes Mashiyane, tin whistle player from South Africa playing a tune called, Kwela Kong.  Have a listen for yourself here:

  It is  street music, called Kwela. This word, Kwela is taken from the Zulu language, meaning to "get up."  So, you would "get up" to dance in the local bars, or "shebeens," which were similar to the American speakeasies during the prohibition era.  The origins of this style comes from "township music," a genre of music created by musicians residing in government housing during the Apartheid in South Africa during the 1950's.
     Kwela music has an instrumental leader: the tin whistle.  This was of real interest to me.  I never came across whistle music, except in Ireland, Scotland, and the  Celtic regions of Spain and France.  Apparently, whistles of all kinds were traditionally played in the northern areas of South Africa. The whistles were also economical and easy to travel with, but more importantly, they served as a strong solo instrument (and gee, isn't that the truth).  These traditional melodies thus translated into this Kwela style, with it's footwork heavy in American jazz swing forms supported by a three chord progression: C-F-C-G7.

    


(This clip above shows Willard Cele from the 1951 movie, The Magic Garden.)   

Bucket List #1

    Well, I have officially started my bucket list.  I love being a musician, but I equally love to sail.  That being said, I came across an event that I refuse to miss the next time Ms. Opportunity knocks her little fist on my  head. 
       Every four years, some of the world's finest racing sailors circumnavigate 39,000 nautical miles in the Volvo Ocean Race.   This June 30th, they will be ending their epic race in Galway City and I will be on board my 22' O'Day in Barnstabe, Massachusetts.  Not a shabby trade off, I admit.

      
Photo courtesy of Tanya Bokat photography

Let me tell you, it's been a long time coming

    Today felt like Christmas.  By my anticipation, I opened the door in a blur as the UPS woman stood there with two packages.  I signed in a hurried state, said "thank you" and ran for the utensil drawer in the kitchen. After carefully slicing the plastic tape adhering to the "well insured" box, I opened it...very slowly.  Much care went into making sure this parcel was secure and I sure as heck wasn't going to hastily open it.  The "flute" has arrived.  Wrapped with more packaging tape and bubble wrap lay a  dainty black case made by Northwind Cases in Tucson Arizona. I opened it slowly, eyes actually shut and smiling at me was a gorgeous African blackwood and silver 8 keyed flute made by the well respected wooden flute maker, John Gallagher.  I put the flute pieces together and discovered a sound that made my heart melt.  How do I verbally describe the sound?  I will try to describe the initial sound like a sommelier who tastes wine. When playing the higher register, it sounded refined, sweet, and crisp like an apple.  The lower register produced a strong presence, very powerful in timbre. It was so effortless to play that I felt as those I was committing a crime.
    But, here is the kicker, I can only play it for 5 to 10 minutes a day and increase it 5 to 10 minutes each successive day.  I have to break in the flute gently, folks.  Patience is a virtue and as much as I lack it right now, I have to bite this bullet and do precisely what Mr. Gallagher says.  All I can say is, I have fallen in love and there is nothing my husband and children can do about it.  They will have to accept this new personality with open arms into our new musical family.
    Oh, and what other package?

Music is addictive

This makes it all worth while.  When you apply what you love to do with your life, and your children are witness to it, true happiness abounds.

Because you can never start too early

What an exciting start to the day, I admit!  I received quite a few emails thus far regarding lessons that I teach through Skype. One particular fellow heard my Tunnelvision record being played on a  radio station in Boston, and has now requested a lesson.  I know it may seem trivial, but there is something so genuine about sharing music and passing it along. So on that note, I will continue sharing music to feed my soul as well as hopefully feeding yours as well.  You can happily look into a fun-filled Skype lesson with me by going to the website www.christelrice.com
Cheers ya'll! 

This was a fun night of playing Irish music in Manhattan.  Thank you Mickela Malozzi for posting this video!