we develop rhythms and sounds trough listening exercises, moments of relaxation and bodypercussion (rhythms with hands, voice, feet ...). by playing with drums and various percussion instruments, we experiment with simple musical concepts and on-the-spot improvisation. we have fun creating our music and playing the rhythms and sonds of our band...no previous musical knowledge is necessary. workshops for women, children, on weekdays or at the weekend.

info: regula@ideabatteria.it

        +39 011 8170461

new: creation of musical costumes and instruments with recycled material

trough my research and experiments, I have become particulary interested in two themes: the origin of drums and the study of intense, focused listening.

the book by the famous percussionist Layne Redmond 'When The Drummers Were Women' (Three Rivers Press, New York, 1977) illustrates with several photographs that throughout history, women have always played the drums, a fact which various drawings, statues and written texts show. this fantastic discovery inspired me to start women workshops, encouraging them by reminding them of the long history (or her-story) of female drummers and to develop a different way to communicate with women and children.

the first drawing of drums were found in anatolia, the present-day turkey. the first female drummer, lipuschiau in mesopotamia, was recognised in 5600 ad. the oldest word in sumerian for 'cereal sieve' (2380 ad.) also means 'drum', ( in sicily, both where produced from this point on by the same craftspeople). in this ancient cultures, there also existed varios goddness like hathor, the egyptian goddess of music. there where priestesses, in other cultures shamans, who with drums and other instruments, transformed the spirit trough the ear in connection with the goddesses/gods. in both the sumerian and egyptian languages, the word 'ear' is synonymous with the word 'knowledge'.

deep listeng, the technique of the american musician/composer Pauline Oliveros has contributed to my recordings of sounds and has given a breath of life to my work with groups.

2 of her pearls of wisdom:

"deep listening is a practice that can be encouraged and learned by anyone who wants to partecipate. it is a matter of directing or re- directing attention. becoming quiet by listening to one's own sound/noise as well other's sound/noise - making space - making time. relaxing to become open to all sonic vibrations."

"deep listening is listening in every possible way to every thing possible to hear no matter what you are doing. such intens listening includes the sounds of daily life, of nature, of one's own thoughts as well as musical sounds. deep listening is my life practice."       the roots of the moment drogue press new york 1998