“Music is the expression of the movement of the waters, the play of curves described by changing breezes” 

- Claude Debussy -

 

An ocean drum or wave drum is a meditative musical instrument where you imitate the sound of the waves by moving back and forth. You have to be the ocean itself and mirror its movements to actually hear the water sing its song and becoming one with the dacing waves. This has a healing and relaxing effect. It washes everything clean and clarifies important questions. 

 

Being at the sea and seeing the horizon is already healing; but also hearing the soothing wavy sounds - sometimes harsh and loud; sometimes whisperly soft - and the dynamic between this music; the streaming towards the coast line and pulling back of the water; the cleansing property; the changing temperatures; and the mixture between high and low waves: it is all resembling who we are in essence (60% of our body is water) and what life is. Life has its ups and downs; shouts at us sometimes or whispers lovely at us; is sometimes cold and sometimes cozy warm; it can flood our emotions or nourishes the soul; it has its individual drops but moves with others in synchronicity to make a wave of difference. Furthermore the ocean is difficult to fathom and grasp, just like our inner landscape. The sea is also liberating and intimidating at the same time: it heals and makes our heads empty, but it is also so mighty and big that it is almost beyond our comprehension.

 

Most standard ocean drums contain metal balls that create a sound. My ocean drums are filled only with natural ingredients that have special properties creating that beautiful extra vibration to the sound. It does not only look like nature, but it is nature in itself! Maybe you even smell a subtle reference to the chosen design. The felted cover makes it an one of a kind instrument that not only feels very soft and is calming, but it also looks amazing.

 

To create the cover, I use tufts of merino wool that I lay out in different layers and then felt it with a mixture of dissolved olive soap in water. This process of wet felting is perfect for my artwork, as it needs water to create the water landscape for my water sounded art. With cycled movements of my hands I create pressure and friction that causes the loose hair of the wool to chain into each other and become a nice fabric-like product. So my wet felted design needs water to emerge!  For details I use needle felting technique. 

The only non-natural material I use is the black edge. It is protection for the wool, as it is the place where you hold it; it can easily be cleaned, and protects against wool charging with electricity. Also it looks like a window through which you can see the “soundscape”.

 

 

“Dance with the waves, move with the sea. Let the rhythm of the water set your soul free”

- Christy Ann Martine -

 

 

Hear the ocean whisper to you and let the sound and movement wash your fears and worries away. Be aware that it can be a very powerful tool for healing and deep meditation. It can also be used for relaxation and calming down. Very suitable for sound journeys and sound therapy sessions in a group or one on one. Play the drum just before going to bed, and you will fall asleep more easily and the sleep itself will deepen. This is because our reptilian brain recognizes nature sounds automatically as safe. It also supports the creation of more Alpha brain waves which help us to relax on deep levels. Also children love the sound. A helpful tool for working with special needs children, children on the spectrum and ADHD, but also in standard school classes, kindergarten and preschool. Also useful for adults and elderly people for example in psychiatric institutions and caring homes. It can also be used in shamanic healing ceremonies. Furthermore suitable for everyone who loves nature sounds!