I've known Rowan for a long time. We've sent friendly e-mails cross country and across the world for years, and always hoped to meet in person. So it was a delight to finally manage a face-to-face conversation. We accomplished our rendezvous at a very busy Starbucks in Needham, MA, the town where I grew up.
Rowan has had a lifelong passion for Middle Eastern music. She spent many years focusing on classical Persian music, developing a special expertise in that field. Now she teaches and performs a wide range of Middle Eastern percussion styles. She also founded and directs a group called the Sazandeh Women's Ensemble, dedicated to Middle Eastern women's frame drum, singing, dancing and storytelling. She is also a regular faculty member at the popular Mendocino Middle East Camp.
Rowan reached into her drum case and pulled out a sample of her latest project - a signature line of beautifully nested frame drums, called the Rowan Storm Thinline Frame Drum by Remo.
These drums were Rowan's idea. She wanted frame drums to be thin enough so they can be played with her new technique, what she calls the 'Partner Hand Symmetrical Frame Drum Method.' If both hands play in a balanced manner, Rowan says, more types of drum beats are possible. Furthermore, playing in a balanced way strengthens a drummer's left hand, resulting in improved performance on other drums. The Remo frame drums are lightweight and compact. And, she stressed, they're economical. You can get a set of six for under $200. Here is a link to the Rowan's site - check out the instructional video too at the bottom of the page.
We will keep reporting on news from Rowan, since she has many projects in the works. Tonight she's flying back to the west coast, one day ahead of a snowstorm. Timing is everything - in drumming, and in life.
Very informative post. Thanks for taking the time to share your view with us.
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