Cajons: These instruments were originally created by the slaves in Peru playing tea boxes as their Drums.They have built in Snare and sound lovely and are played with your hands.
Raglan man Dennis Conquest and fellow musician Mark (Fanga) Kington have an exhibition of their hand-made musical instruments at Raglan’s Old School Art Centre. While Mark specialises on bamboo didgeridoos, Dennis makes percussion instruments. Dennis makes melodious musical instruments out of recycled materials obtained form Xtreme Zero Waste, Raglan recycling centre. he uses everything from old LPG tanks to bedheads. As part of the week-long HEAR IT- SEE IT exhibition, Raglanders and residents and visitors have a chance to play – and own – one of theses unique creations at the week-long exhibition.
Among the most intriguing are cajons, instruments originally devised by slaves in Peru, who played tea boxes as their drums. Conquest’s cajons feature a special – and expensive – birch tapa front panel that is about three millimetres thick.
“This gives a great sounding and playing surface,” Conquest said. “They are played by hand and have a built-in snare to vary the sound. They are becoming a very popular form of drum all over the world.”
The other types of instruments that Dennis has on display are:
Dump drums made from old LPG tanksDump Drums: These are steel drums built from used propane bottles.They are tuned to Concert in different keys.They sound great!
Slit Drums:These are made of Bamboo and some are solid Native Timber.These are ancient instrument played around the world. They come in many different sizes and shapes and are fun and easy to play.
All the instruments are high quality.These instruments can easily be played by both the beginner and the professional.
Hear It See It Play It Raglan Old School Arts Centre open daily 10am to 2pm until Sunday, January 11. Stewart St, Raglan
