Importing Percussion

"Sourcing the right World Music instruments for use in schools is a juggling act. A number of considerations have to be balanced – such as affordability, safety and durability, quality and consistency of sound, and practicality (size and weight of instruments, storage, ease of transport). On top of these factors, you want instruments that are as true to their traditions as possible; preferably made using traditional techniques, in the general region of the tradition’s origin. Given that the vast majority of World Music instruments imported to UK come from factories using modern materials and processes, how do World Music instrument retailers source anything that is vaguely representative of the traditions that they represent?"

Click here to read on. Published in July 2013 issue of Music Teacher