A lot of writers find creative inspiration in music playlists. I’m willing to bet, though, that very few are listening to the same songs that I am. Sometimes I start with quiet choruses (for instance), but I usually find my writing groove with Gospel songs like this one. As soon as the musicians hit those first few notes, I’m remembering a tent revival meeting, or a Sunday supper in a steepled church.
When I was a little girl, I’d belt out the words and accompany myself with a pretend or borrowed tambourine. I wasn’t pitch-perfect, and I didn’t always keep time with the music. Didn’t matter; I didn’t notice. Like most kids, I loved making a joyful noise—equal emphases on both of those words. But life sometimes turns free spirits into arthritic old souls, doesn’t it? I definitely don’t want that to happen to me!
On Date Night, I told my husband I wanted to play the tambourine again. No, not this kind! Bless his heart, he bought me one of these:
Go ahead and laugh. My hide’s not quite as tough as my tambourine’s, but I can take it. And besides, I’m not the only one who likes this instrument. Here, for example, are a few tambourinists you might recognize.
Clockwise from upper left: Prince, Stevie Nicks, Tracy Partridge, Betty from The Archies
It’s been a long time since I’ve played, and these hands and hips don’t find the backbeat like they used to. I’m not discouraged, though: I just need time and practice. Before too long, I’m going to be dancing in the aisles with my tambourine. Metaphorically speaking.
Shake it, baby!
C’mon and join me!
I used to love using the tambourine in dance. And as a drum and jingle when others made music!
How fun! Do you ever find yourself itching to play one again?
When I was about 12, my mother forced us to play with the Salvation Army timbrels. Have you ever heard of ’em? Example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1BJISlEgCE&feature=related
It was way, way too synchronized for me. Totally WRONG — like playing a 45 LP on a Victrola.
Oh, it would be so much fun to have a drum group. I don’t think a tambourine would hurt my hands much.
Timbrels were fun to dance with, but are kinda like kazoos, re making music. *g*
Ha! Great analogy.
Tambourines don’t cost much. We should totally form an LJ percussion group. 🙂
What, like a crimson choir robe with a white satin collar?
🙂
E got to play the tambourine in her piano class today — she liked it too 🙂
YAY! Tambourines ’round! I think we could get a rhythm section going without much effort. 🙂
Good Company
Two of my all-time rock star crushes play tambourine: Davy Jones and Eddie Vedder. Don’t listen to the nay-sayers; it’s a totally rocking instrument! 🙂
Re: Good Company
Oh yeah, Davy Jones! I looked for a good photo, but I couldn’t find one.
You’re so right. But I need to practice, so I can do it justice. 🙂
Rock on, my friend. Shake ya money maker. : ) I’ll gladly sign up when you’re ready to lead an all girl-band on the road (I can back up dance or play piccolo).
Ha! Look how beautiful you look in that shimmmery blue skirt. 🙂
If you can play piccalo AND dance, you’re a shoe-in for the band. No auditions necessary!
What a wonderful idea. Get back to those tambourine roots and trigger more Melodye memories for the memoir. And have fun in the process!
Maybe you can shake your tambourine while I hoop and Erin plays piccolo. 🙂
Funny thing — I was thinking about you and your hooping after I posted this entry! Def, we’ll form a grrrl band! Men can audition, too, if they’re brave enough. 🙂
I’m realizing again and again just how multi-sensory this writing experience really is…
That sounds like such fun. Making joyful noise and movement together!
And it truly is multi-sensory, isn’t it? I thought about you this morning as I did my figure eight ritual before writing. Not exactly sure why except that I’ve been thinking about you working hard and making progress, too. I wonder if you were already writing then? It was about 9:30 Rocky Mtn Time.
It’s energizing, but it’s also hard work. I’m more than a little rusty. 🙂
I thought more about what your comment on my spin entry. Y’know, I didn’t used to be an auditory learner, or at least I didn’t think I was. But I listen very carefully now…all senses are wide open. And yes, they were hard at work before 6:00 a.m. PDT, so we were working in synch this morning.
There you go. Tapping into the universe together, waiting to see what shows up. 🙂
I’ll accompany you on the bongos I hope to get soon 🙂
Seriously.
Really?!? You’re in!
Wow, this is more fun by the minute.
My cousin used to keep a tambourine in the backseat of her car so when we drove around belting along with her stereo I could grab the tambourine and start rocking it. Good times!
Oh, that’s great!
So…you’ve had lots of practice, right? Wanna join our LJ band? 🙂
Definitely! I’ve got plenty of outfits for it, too. ^_^
V-blog!!
Ha! I was wondering how long it’d take someone to suggest this. I should have known that person would be you. 🙂
(See how smoothly I deflected?)
LJ percussion group.
What a great idea Melodye! Ah, I remember the 60’s, tambourines were everywhere…
I can picture you with a tambourine that has tons of long rainbow colored streamers rocking to Stevie Nicks! Let your gypsy soul fly!
Do you have room for one more?
Re: LJ percussion group.
Ribbons! Oh yes, there will be ribbons. Always accessorize, I say. 🙂
You’re definitely part of the group. The music wouldn’t be as sweet without you!
If you’ve got a minute, I’ll tell you a story about tambourines. You do? I thought so.
A few years back, my mother-in-law went to a crafts event with the Sisterhood at the local synagogue. They sat down at tables, where they found lots of spools of pretty ribbons and lots of pots of paint. They each picked up a small, plain tambourine and they painted designs on the surface of the skin, and they tied ribbons through some (or all) of the holes where the little cymbals are. They did this in the spring, leading up to Passover, because of the story of Miriam and the women in the Bible:
Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took the timbrel in her hand, and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dancing. Exodus 15:20 from the New American Standard Version.
How fitting that you chose a tambourine/timbrel of your own and are planning to dance as you work on telling your truth (just like the prophetess). Peace be with you, Melodye.
Oh, now you’ve done it…You’ve made me cry!
This is such a beautiful story, Kelly. Thank you so much for sharing it with me. I love that other women (of all faiths and walks of life) use the tambourine to express happiness through dance and music. And yes, oh yes, to tell their truths. Thank you, thank you. And may peace be also with you. xo
Happy tears are always a good thing. And I knew you’d appreciate that story. I hope the story and the tambourine help you as you move ahead.
Yes, yes they will. Thank you.
I HAD to have a Tamb, too. I used to pretend I was the littlest Partridge.
Oh, cool! Since you’re well-practiced, you”ll definitely get to be part of our band!
I love tambourines! And how sweet of your hubby to buy you one. Awwwww…..*wink*
Do you have one? If you don’t, I highly recommend you get one ASAP (or have your sweetie buy you one). It’s joy, pure joy. Srsly, you won’t regret it.
LOL! I don’t have one, but it would be fun. I love maracas, too! 🙂
The caged bird sings | A Joyful Noise
[…] To that end, I enrolled in high school choir classes. I took music lessons as an adult, and I bought myself a tambourine, in an effort to attune these hips once again to the rhythm and feel of the backbeat. Ever the […]