The benefits of sound vibration can be experienced through playing or listening. The instruments are user friendly and no musical experience is necessary. If you have a heartbeat, you can drum! Drumming grounds and energizes the body and helps reduce physical tension.

John teaches workshops on how to make drums as well as found percussion instruments, including durable PVC plumbing pipe. He facilitates drumming circles and soundscapes for young and old who respond to the call and the dance of the drumbeat. His passion is building traditional world drums including Djembe, Taiko, Ashiko and Frame drums as well as Percussion instruments crafted from Hard Shelled Gourds. When he's not making drums he can be found working on a new prototype for his latest musical instrument made from recycled materials.

John is a certified Roots of Rhythm teacher and he provides an innovative cross-curricular program that offers training to both teachers and students in fundamental rhythms both ancient and modern. Roots of Rhythm: K-12 Teacher Training is offered in a 5 day format. For complete information, please go to www.rootsofrhythm.net.

At Earth Tones Studio, we create workshops and rhythm experiences tailored to individual needs and circumstances. Call or email us for the next workshop date.

Workshops for All Ages: A variety of choices are available from half days to week long offerings.

Workshops for Youngsters: Tailored for content and duration depending on the age of the group.

Description of a Typical Workshop: Ages 10 & up. Two half-days (3 hours each day) Making percussion instruments from recycled and found materials (for example: coffee can drums, soup can shakers, instruments made from PVC plumbing pipe)1st session-includes assembly, cutting, gluing, priming for decoration 2nd session-after drying overnight, instruments are prepared and decorated using paint and other materials For additional fun, daily rhythm circles are included. We will bring a large assortment of instruments made from recycled items. Note: Similar workshops for adults wanting to teach others (for example: school teachers, camp counselors, day care workers or volunteer workers) are also available in one day and week long formats.

Other adult workshops that we teach that can be managed in two half-days (preferable) or one full day-typical time frame is 9am-5pm(or when finished). Some of the drums that we make in the make-your-own-drum workshops are: Native American Frame Drum, African Djembe, Ashiko, Hard Shelled Gourd Drum, Taiko drum.

Workshops are held at our location in Haliburton or for your convenience we will come to your location, bring materials and musical instruments to help make your musical instrument workshops easy and fun!

Drum Making Supplies

At Earth Tones Studio, we sell supplies to drum builders. Skins, rope, rings, rawhide lacing all in many varieties and sizes, as well as drum shells. For those who have taken any of our workshops, materials such as plumbing pipe reducers, hose clamps, jingles and other hard to find items are also available.

Because prices are always changing and bulk pricing is available, we will quote on specific needs. For example, you might want 25-10” calf skins for a coffee can drum making workshop or one large cow skin for a taiko drum. Every situation is different. Please call or email your request.

(705) 455-9666 or 1-800-363-2284

Drums Gallery

Lovingly hand-coded by anteaya.