Rhythm for Ochosi on 3 Bata Drums

[@michaelpluznick]

Very nice. I like the little square window that pops up to show your left hand.

[@gonzoart3566]

really nice! i'm from argentina and started to play bata a few months ago...really helpfull!! thanks!

[@bonguitoloco76]

Very nice...I need to learn this rhythms ...Love it!

[@candombe5pado35]

That's incredible!!!!! Really thank's

[@2strokeroll]

Thank you for this! I would love to see more!

[@RUMBACALIENTEORCHESTRA]

Awesome sound

[@jor_dasan1810]

you're a rythm monster, man

[@gregvadnais1606]

Nice video man. Great job.

[@AdamHay]

Great stuff, Nathan!

[@ska109]

Hey Adam, thanks for watching!!!

[@marcelo.canepa]

Hi, you mean Diego Gossiker :) Nice Job !

[@dougsours1]

sounds very similar to the Plena rhythm

[@navyflyer7465]

This guy may know the rhythms but he plays with no soul or feeling in my opinion. Up until around 20 years ago there was less than 100 people in the whole United States qualified 2 trained sacredly to play the Bata. The people that I experienced the life to play the Bata drum would never make a video . Now everybody just thinks they can play and make a video. This instrument is about worship. With all due respect.

[@ska109]

Hi Malcom Thank you for your comment. I understand your sentiment. However, let me just state these drums are obviously not Aña. Nor am I playing in a ceremonial context. I have nothing but respect for these drums and have sacrificed a lot to acquire the knowledge that was graciously passed on to me by my religious family in Cuba. You will not see Aña , nor videos of me playing ceremonies on this page as I do not believe this is proper or respectful. However as I’m sure you know the use of aberikula drums is prevalent today in Cuba, as well as the rest of the world. We use them for dance classes, teaching Aleyos and people outside the religion, and they can be played by women. What I’m doing here is intended to be completely different from the ceremonial use of Aña, and I view them as fundamentally different things. This is a musical exercise, intended simple to be shared with the very small community of us across North America who have dedicated themselves to this music, both in and outside of the religion. However if this video offends you I do apologize. Much respect.

[@navyflyer7465]

Nathan Ouellette With all due respect, for the time you took and effort you have taken to learn what you know, I understand your explanation and I apologize if I was a little salty. smile How things are Marketed...... now a days is totally taken out of their origin sometimes and younger people get confused and use things out of context. I am as Innovative as ever and understand the progression of things, but as old as I am I guess I'm just not accustomed or as comfortable yet watching or learning these things in this video format. I guess the only way I can explain it is, to my ears and sensibilities, it comes across like digital sound compared to a tube amp. I learned music/ Bata, and was accompanying dancer as a way of life. Just watching and listening. Never Counting or long explanations. I have come too far not to say what I feel, no disrespect to you ever,Ok, Sincerely Peace and Love always Malcolm

[@BigHassdaBoss84]

As a blessed drummer, u couldnt have said it better... Im not even allowed to touch a bata drum because i haven't been properly groomed and im a quinto player... Everybody a damn master drummer now off one lesson, no honor for the culture, no respect for the Orishas, just crown themselves master andmake a video... Then, when you sit down and drum with one of these kind, they cant even tap into nothing within to keep up... Smh!!!

[@dougsours1]

man, what hate...this guy sounds good and is sharing his knowledge with others.

[@RobertMBGH]

They still your heritage, music, and culture. Look at LP making money off an African invention Bata Drums from Nigeria and now he's going to show you how to play African Rhythms.

[@ska109]

I'm sorry you feel that way Robert. This is not the first time that I have had people express this sentiment to me. If it is any consolation please let me state that I have nothing but respect for these drums and rhythms. I have literally dedicated the last 8 years of my life to Aña (Cuban bata/not Nigerian, as they are very different from one another) I am an Omo Aña, initiated in the city of Matanzas and I have sacrificed, more then I could tell you in this comment, to acquire the knowledge that was so graciously passed to me by my religious family in Cuba. I use the LP drums because I do not believe it is appropriate to use consecrated drums on film, for the purpose of an educational video. That line between "appreciation" and "appropriation" is a difficult one, and something I have had to wrestle with a lot. These drums and rhythms are the life blood of my religion, something that is very dear to me. However, I am fully aware that it is part of a culture that I was not born into. It will never belong to me in the way it does my teachers, my religious family and all people of African heritage. That being said the Orisha care not for the color of your skin or the country of your birth. Their love and knowledge is for everyone, and I work everyday of my life to make sure that my playing, my knowledge and my personal conduct are befitting of an Omo Aña, that represent the Orisha, my teachers and this community I love so well. If the video offends you though, I do apologies. All love and respect, Ache.