If I had been alive during the Bronze Age (2000 - 700 BCE), I seriously doubt that it would have occurred to me to use the skin of an alligator to make a drum. In fact, I believe I would have avoided going anywhere near alligators altogether. Fortunately for the Chinese culture, the ancient Chinese obviously did not share my fears. The earliest known drums in China date from four to six thousand years ago, around the time of the Shang Dynasty (c.1600 - c.1100 BCE) and they were made of clay and (you guessed it) alligator skin. Thanks to those very early innovators, China has a long and proud tradition of utilizing drums and other percussion instruments in its native music.
Chinese drums have come a long way since those first instruments of the Shang Dynasty. They have been incorporated into a variety of societal facets over the centuries, including religion, farming, warfare and of course, entertainment. In China, the color red has always been associated with power and luck, and accordingly red drums have been used as both a symbol and bringer of power to rulers and armies. Such instruments are still used in ceremonies such as weddings and other festivities.
China is generally credited with bringing drums to the nations of Korea and Japan. The famous Japanese taiko drums, for example, are thought to be the result of very early Chinese influence. The same can be said of the Korean galgo and the Japanese kakko, both of which are hourglass-shaped drums thought to be descended from the Chinese jiegu. Interestingly, although this drum is no longer used in China, its relatives can still be seen and heard in both Korea and Japan.
In modern China, drums are commonly used in more secular performances, often to striking effect. At no time has this been more apparent than at the recent Beijing Olympics opening ceremony, which featured countless synchronized drummers in an amazing feat of percussion and artistic performance. No one who watched that ceremony could doubt the importance of drums in Chinese culture.
If one attends the performance of a modern Chinese orchestra, drums are bound to be in evidence. The paigu is a set of seven small, tuned drums, and it is often used in professional musical groups. Other percussion instruments, including drums of all pitches and sizes, are also common. Another place to see and hear traditional drums in China is at a lion dance, a form of traditional dance during which performers dress as lions and mimic the animals' movements. Such dances can be performed in the northern or southern fashion, the former being the traditional imperial style, the latter purely for entertainment. Both types, however, utilize drum music during the performance. The lion dance also has close associations with the martial art of kung fu, which means that drums are also often used during martial arts performances as well. The drum music at any of these performances is powerful and vital, in accordance with the dancers' and artists' movements.
"Where is the ? And a quick answer would be in Greece of course. For those who would disagree with me and would dare to challenge the place with other destinations, I would astound them with party islands like Ios, Santorini, Paros and Mykonos. The night life in the bars and clubs of these islands project such an intensive picture of fun and excitement, that the entire islands have been called Eden of party mongers.
The night clubs and bars are abundant in Greece especially in the capital of the country Athens which was till now renowned only for Olympics, but is gradually gaining grounds as a place where tourists and honeymooners spend time rocking on the sandy dance floors of the clubs neatly cubed along the sea shore especially during summers. When the music, which range from hard rock to traditional Rambetika ,lalka as well as jazz hits the air, these clubs and bars are transformed into a gigantic wave of revelers sweating under the star studded purple sky. If you were dazed by the disco clubs of the movie ?underworld? witness the same astonishment in the night clubs which are built in the heart of the city, which were once giant warehouse but now host to some of the finest techno beats and raps that engulf the merry makers into wild party animals. Drinks range from beers for peers and champagne for the class and boiling vodkas for hot bloods. The bars remain open till late in the morning till around six or seven. The people and the crowd in the Athens bars and clubs are not only gorgeous but friendly. Traditional dances are usually accompanied by the sound of the famous ?bouzouki?. Everybody laughs, dances, sings and throws flowers: it is a delirious and unique experience to live.
If you are a visitor and wish to discover Athens in its vintage perspective, then you must initiate your tour with traditional Rembetika clubs which are known for their rich music played by famous local and international bands. These clubs serve you with the world famous Greek mouth watering delicacies to nourish your stomach along with music and drinks for your senses. These clubs include clubs such as REMBETIKI ISTORIA : situated at 181 Ippokratous Street, Excarchia, Athens, PERIVOLI T' OYRANOU situated Lisikratous 19, Plaka, STOA ATHANATON situated at Sofokleos 19 in the Athens Central Meat Market, DIPLOCHORDON situated at 13 Ag. Lavras & Galatsiou Ano Patissia, PONTIKI situated at 9 Eptanisou, Kypseli, the place is know for its New & Old ""laika"" music, ASTROFEGGIA situated at 294 Patission, Agios Loukas. The club is known for its Seven singers and traditional violin and eventually MATTS PICK! MISIKLEOUS 22 Mnisikleous ,Plaka
You can also enjoy Tavernas with Greek music at places such as AMBELOFILO and ELAFOKINIGOS. If you are done with the vintage angles of Athens bars and clubs then its time for you to rock and party to the tunes of techno music at clubs like Block, Bossa Nostra City Grove and plus soda. However there are other ethnic clubs in the city like PALENQUE and KSEXASMENO PIGADI Mikes Irish bar is yet another place where you can have a drink or two with your friends and love ones mesmerizing to the live jazz music played there The and clubs hold a versatile set of populations hailing from all corners of the earth and hence procure a rich blend of all the fun and excitement music and party can procure and money can buy."
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Victor Epand has sinced written about articles on various topics from Shopping, Trucks and Interest. Victor Epand is an expert consultant for guitars, drums, keyboards, sheet music, guitar tab, and home theater audio. You can find the best marketplace at these sites for and clubs, To know more please visit athensbars.. Vasilis Siafarikas's top article generates over 1900 views. to your Favourites.