Many of you do not know that I am a percussionist, also known as a drummer. But I don’t really need a drum set to create a musical beat. I don’t really need anything other than my voice, aka beat boxing. As John Lennon once said, “I’m an artist, give me a Tuba, I’ll get you something out of it.” Now I am no John Lennon, but what he said should forever ring true.

“A musician does not just play an instrument, he manipulates the frequency of energy waves, developed within the human mind a power to create sound the universe has never heard. It is a magical expression of self.” Adam Faragalli

D Drum Green 5 Piece Set

Remo Heads

D Drum Green 5 Set Image

My goal for this post is to encourage you to think creatively through music. Understand, learning an instrument is no easy feat, achieved by few individuals. Think about it, how many people do you know that call themselves musicans? I am not talking about someone who took piano lessons for two years, or guitar lessons in the six grade. I’m talking about individuals who have spent years mastering their own musical brand.

The irony is that even after decades of playing an instrument, you can never truly master it. Take my father as an example. A man that has played guitar for literally 52 years consistently.  He has played in bands, taught music to others and of course is the president of a successful instrumental and educational brand, World Music Nashville.

To this day, Larry tells me he is always expanding what makes his unique style of playing. I can tell you this, since we started playing together a few years back, both our styles have molded and grown out of just our experiences together.

When you reach a place where you do not stress about the small details in playing, you learn to speak through your instrument. It comes as natural as talking after time. So naturally, playing with others can be a conversation at times worth having, other times its arguing, lol.

No player is going to produce the same musically elements twice, at least not exactly. It is the nuances in your attitude, even the energy of your mental state that can significantly alter your playing style in the moment. Sure you develop traits and characteristics unique to you like special sounds, unique rifts, but that’s just the surface.

And for me, playing the drums has become more than just playing the drums. It’s something that has enriched my life in ways I never would have imagined. It has brought my family closer, added new friends and relationships that would have never been created without the bond of music. And you know what, it is arguably the most fun I have ever had.

I literally meld myself in the drum set. I close my eyes for minutes at a time, get so into the beat that my body and mind are blended together in such a way that I literally feel like I am flying. And when I am done, the sensation of all those neurons that just fired in sequence with your muscles, you literally feel high as a kit. Plus, the beat will continue to play for sometimes days in my mind. Tell me what none narcotic substance could ever top that feeling?

But I am not going to lie to you, it was not always easy. I have my main musical teacher Kyle Jones to thank, my drumming uncle Daniel and of course my father for learning to play. I am still learning but they at least taught me the basics and Kyle Jones took it to THE NEXT LEVEL. If you can find a time to get a lesson (good luck), I recommend you spend some time with him. And by the way, yes he is a caffeine driven madman. Don’t be alarmed if he starts drawing cartoon figures from god only knows where during your lesson. But he is a keeper and an incredible musician to boot.

When he taught me, we played together. He played the guitar and we jammed a bit, then incorporated a lesson into the 30 minute sessions. It was fun and a unique way to learn to get better. Then at the end he jumped on and murdered the set for a few minutes. I recorded every lesson. I have dozens of taped recordings on my hard drive. I listened to them and got better. Practice does make perfect as well. Its all really just muscle memory.

Here is the bottom line, go out and learn to play. Why not? And DONT even think about telling a guy like me that you do not have the time. Bullshit. It is your life, time management is in your control in the 21st century, so use it wisely!

And may you too find joy in playing.

Adam Michael Faragalli

I leave with you with one of my favorite drumming videos. I have learned from each of these drummers something. But my favorite is Number 5, John Bonham baby. Enjoy

Music Room Guitars

Music Room

July 2^nd. 8:00 p.m.

Thoughts on our recent arrival in Chisinau, Moldova.

First Look, Airport at Chisinau

Moldova Countryside

Chisinau Apartments

This is a story about cultural differences between people of The Republic of Moldova and the Americans. Two different cultures, one collective in nature, one individualistic. Two ways of life, one is about survival, another about prosperity.

Yet, the power of the human condition has proven to conquer all. Friendships have evolved, bonds created and memories made; a lasting mark on myself, the American team and the Moldovan people of Belsty that will last a lifetime.

It will never cease to amaze this Nashville native how much Western life penetrates and influences people at all corners of the globe. Even in a place like the Republic of Moldova, apart of communist Russia for decades, now in many ways resembles American life in terms of some* of the population’s access to modern dress, food, alcohol, automobiles and even many of our technology advances.

The wealthy enjoy access to new Samsung cell phones, drive BMW’s, shop at posh boutiques and drink diet Coke too. But yet, there remains a large disconnect between the middle class and poor, especially with the Jewish communities we have visited here.

Our friend Irina said, “We survive, life is not easy. Jobs are hard to find, corruption is high and not much comes easy.”

This trip was organized by The Greensboro Jewish Federation, with the additional support of the Nashville Jewish Federation. Their overall aim is to help foster the Jewish identity and culture of the people of Beltsy, Moldova. A people struggling both financially and spiritually.

I quickly discovered this is no easy feat. Think about this, what it means to be Jewish in America is completely unique to your micro Jewish culture and traditions. Be it of your community or family, or even denomination. So creating a Jewish experience with a people dealing with anti-Semitism and a struggling Jewish identity was a challenge.

Another challenge is the lack of comparable life styles. One family we did a house visit in Belsty had no TV, non air conditioning or running water. Their front yard consisted of eatable herbs andvegetables. Yet, they were happy, just a close family, a bit stuck in the past. When I asked Tanya, the youngest daughter what she did for fun, she smiled at her family and said she liked to dance to music, which I later found out was basically from the 70′s, you remember The Bee Gees right?

Well here is a reminder, love this.

But I was expecting for Moldova something between “House on the Prairie” and a cold war deprived environment. What actually exists is a people just trying to better their country and community. Fighting to join the European Union and take advantage of all our western advances. In addition, a small Jewish community fighting a government who is passive aggressive and unsupportive to their needs.