Driving & Ostinato Drums in Medieval Percussion

Driving and ostinato drums are essential components in the realm of medieval percussion music, playing crucial roles in establishing rhythm and creating a compelling musical narrative. These drums provide not only the rhythmic foundation but also drive the composition forward, creating a sense of momentum and energy. This chapter will delve into the characteristics of driving and ostinato drums, their functions, and practical examples of how to effectively integrate them into your hybrid folk-focused trailer music.

Importance of Driving & Ostinato Drums

Driving and ostinato drums serve several critical functions:

  • Establishing a Steady Pulse: They create a consistent rhythm that forms the backbone of a piece, allowing other elements to layer over and around the beat.
  • Building Momentum: The continuous nature of ostinato rhythms contributes to a sense of progression and forward movement, which is essential in trailer music.
  • Engaging the Audience: The driving energy of these drums enhances the listening experience, keeping the audience engaged and emotionally invested in the music.

Key Types of Driving & Ostinato Drums in Medieval Music

  1. Djembe

    • Overview: The djembe is a goblet-shaped drum from West Africa renowned for its versatility and vibrant sound. It can produce deep bass tones and sharp, bright slaps.
    • Characteristics: Its ability to maintain a steady rhythm makes it ideal for driving compositions while also allowing for complex, improvisational patterns.
    • Role in Music: The djembe often serves as the primary driving force in compositions, laying down foundational rhythms that propel the music.
    • Example Usage: In an adventurous trailer, use the djembe to create a driving 4/4 rhythm, allowing other instruments to weave intricate melodies over it.

  2. Frame Drums

    • Overview: Frame drums are shallow drums, commonly made from wood and covered in animal skin. They produce diverse sounds depending on how they are struck.
    • Characteristics: Their lightweight design allows for dynamic playing, ranging from soft to powerful strikes, making them versatile for both ostinato and driving rhythms.
    • Role in Music: Frame drums can establish strong rhythmic pulses and also provide intricate patterns that complement or elevate other elements.
    • Example Usage: Use a persistent repeating pattern on a frame drum to lay the groundwork in a scene depicting progress or journeying, maintaining a sense of forward movement.

  3. Bodhrán

    • Overview: The bodhrán is an Irish frame drum traditionally played with a stick called a tipper. It has become popular in various folk music traditions.
    • Characteristics: The bodhrán generates warm, resonant tones and can be played in a variety of styles, creating dynamic rhythms.
    • Role in Music: Often acts as a driving rhythm element, adding rhythmic force during transitions and climactic moments.
    • Example Usage: In intense battle scenes, the bodhrán can establish a quick tempo that supports the energy of the visuals, underscoring moments of high tension.

  4. Darbuka (Doumbek)

    • Overview: The darbuka is a goblet drum popular in Middle Eastern music. Its versatility allows it to create intricate rhythms that add energy to compositions.
    • Characteristics: It produces sharp tones and can be struck in diverse ways for dynamic rhythmic patterns.
    • Role in Music: The darbuka can serve as both a driving force and an accenting tool in various musical contexts, enhancing the overall groove.
    • Example Usage: Use the darbuka for rapid ostinato patterns during celebratory sequences, enhancing the auditory “dance” air and excitement.

  5. Timpani

    • Overview: Timpani, known as kettle drums, are large, tunable drums that produce deep, powerful sounds. While they were used more in later periods, their roots can be found in medieval music traditions.
    • Characteristics: With the ability to create dramatic accents and sustained pitches, timpani add significant depth to any orchestration.
    • Role in Music: They can punctuate climactic moments, providing an epic quality to the music.
    • Example Usage: Use timpani rolls as driving fills into climactic scenes, enhancing emotional stakes with pronounced accents.

Techniques for Creating Driving and Ostinato Effects

  1. Establishing a Base Rhythm

    • Begin with a solid base rhythm using one percussion instrument to maintain a steady pulse. This will serve as the foundation for additional layers.
    • Example: Initiate with a frame drum pattern that maintains a steady 4/4 rhythm before adding other percussion elements.

  2. Building Momentum

    • Gradually add complexity to the rhythm as the piece unfolds, layering additional instruments and developing intricate rhythms that enhance the forward motion.
    • Example: Start with a basic djembe rhythm, and introduce fills from the bodhrán that complement and heighten the energy as you approach the climax of the piece.

  3. Dynamic Accents

    • Employ dynamic contrasts and accents with your layers to create excitement and draw attention to specific moments in the music.
    • Example: Use the bodhrán to accentuate key beats, adding a feeling of urgency during intense action sequences.

  4. Creating Ostinato Patterns

    • Develop repetitive rhythmic motifs that maintain a consistent groove, allowing you to layer melodies and additional percussion over them.
    • Example: Create a steady ostinato on the conga while layering djembe patterns to introduce rhythmic complexity in an engaging way.

Practical Applications of Driving & Ostinato Drums

  1. Driving Rhythm Composition: Write a piece focused on developing a strong ostinato that serves as the driving rhythm throughout, incorporating various drums to elaborate on the thematic material.
  2. Dynamic Change Exploration: Experiment with recording segments that emphasize different crescendos and dynamics throughout the driving sections, observing how these variations affect the listener's engagement.
  3. Improvisation and Interaction: Encourage improvisation on driving and ostinato patterns, allowing the musicians to interact and develop spontaneous textures while maintaining the core rhythm.

Conclusion

Driving and ostinato drums are critical elements in medieval percussion that provide foundational rhythms, energize compositions, and engage listeners. By utilizing their unique characteristics and employing various techniques, you can create dynamic, impactful trailer music that resonates powerfully with your audience. In the following chapter, we will explore advanced compositional strategies for using driving and ostinato drums effectively within your pieces.