Welcome to the Percussion Play Blog
We hope you'll be a regular visitor as we share stories about the instruments we make and the people who play them.
This is where we share our passion for music in the great outdoors! We'll share with you details of exciting new outdoor music projects and designs from around the globe. We'll share with you information about the instruments we sell and a little about the inspiration behind them
Most importantly, this blog is about what we love to do the most - help you create new and exciting ways to bring music to the great outdoors.
Thank you for reading, visiting, commenting and contributing - we’re excited to have you here!
The Beat Goes On - New Inclusive Mallets for Babel Drums and More
Both our Babel Drums and Petal Drums were originally designed to be played with the hands and fingers - this really creates a feeling of connection with the drum and will produce some wonderful mesmerizing sounds. However, whilst this playing method doesn't require much effort or indeed any special musical skills (although it can require a little practice to get the technique nailed), we've realized that older players or those with Arthritis, tender hands, or finger joints could be being denied the opportunity to participate in the musical fun.
We want as many people as possible to engage with our instruments and welcome the challenge of prioritizing inclusive design and product accessibility. With this in mind, we have designed these new smaller lightweight 'Babel Drum Mallets' that are just perfect to use with not only these instruments but are versatile enough to be used to play on any of our instruments by players suffering from a very weak or painful grip or those with limited...
Listening To and Making Music Helps Understand Feelings and Emotions
Music can be a great tool for young children to express themselves and their emotions. Children often struggle to articulate their feelings because they may not have the vocabulary to describe how they feel. Instead, they may resort to crying, throwing tantrums, or having meltdowns. Teaching children about basic emotions such as happiness, anger, sadness, and fear from as early as two years old can help them understand and express their emotions better. As children grow older, they can learn to identify and express more complex emotions like frustration, nervousness, and shyness.
Music and play are powerful tools for children to learn about feelings, explore them, and practice how to express and manage them. However, music is not only beneficial for children but also for people of all ages. It is a highly effective way to express ourselves and cope with challenging circumstances in life. When we engage in music, we bypass social conditioning and conscious thought and directly connect...
*New* Calypso Chimes added to Rainbow Collection
Our new flamboyant Calypso Chimes with their clear lively tones and beautiful anodized finish are sure to spread good vibes wherever they end up! Available in different arrangements, they’re a great choice for music parks, playgrounds, schools, family attractions, hospital gardens, and community open spaces.
Calypso Chimes are practical, durable, and stylish with a wonderful melody and sustain. Whether you are looking for solo chimes to place sporadically around your outdoor area to add a colorful musical sound wherever you go, a fun pentatonic set for sensory play, or a diatonic arrangement around which outdoor lessons and concerts can be played, Calypso Chimes can be adapted to suit all.
Here is the low-down on our newest product Calypso Chimes
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Calypso Chimes are made from rainbow-colored anodized aluminum which will not chip, flake, or peel and is UV stable
- Each chime is individually mounted to a stainless-steel post and comes complete with a mallet...
Music Power to the People - Communities set to become the new Champions of Music
Throughout our time in isolation, for many, it was most often music bringing us closer together. Musicians and performers tapping into their creativity to share messages of hope and camaraderie, from neighbors singing and playing music to each other on balconies to performing concerts and entertaining us online. Music bringing people closer together during a time of unrest and unease.
The sad news is, however, that there is no doubt the coronavirus pandemic will have plunged the future of music and the arts into uncertainty and threatened its long-term availability to young people and the community. The talk of the suspension of music and other 'non-core' subjects when schools fully reopen to make time for students to catch up with English and maths following the COVID-19 shutdown is concerning. Music is an essential subject for all children to learn and recognized to help develop the skills, attitudes, and attributes required to support learning in other subjects as well. This includes...
Bonjour to Percussion Play France!
We are immensely proud to welcome Percussion Play France into the Percussion Play Group.
Operating out of the sunny town of Fouras, Percussion Play France is owned and operated by Thomas Schmutz who is delighted to be able to offer Percussion Play outdoor musical instruments with the same fantastic service and support to customers in France. Thomas, who comes from a family of musicians and who is a keen guitar player and drummer himself, is eager to increase the presence of outdoor musical instruments in the many parks, playgrounds, and family-friendly attractions located across the country.
We asked Thomas how he discovered Percussion Play and why he chose to become our representative in France.
"I was working for a company named Freetness, which is the leader of Outdoor Fitness Equipment in France. I really like to participate in the...
Quinterra Legacy Garden to feature Percussion Play Instruments
- Project Completed - Read More: Music-Making and Healing Can Begin as Quinterra Legacy Garden Opens
Percussion Play is honored to be the primary supplier of outdoor musical instruments for this wonderful interactive musical garden and performance space that will serve as a place for play, inspiration, creativity, reflection, and contemplation for visitors and residents of the City of Calgary
The Quinterra Legacy Garden will be Calgary’s first fully dedicated music garden and performance space. Built to honor and celebrate five young Albertan adults killed in 2014 and for their families to thank the supportive local community, the garden will encourage the arts and support young people's mental health and creativity. Located in South Glenmore Park and overlooking the Glenmore Reservoir, the garden will be a tree-lined open space for families to play together, picnic, and...