Rhythm Discovery Center - Indianapolis

We had the opportunity to check out the Percussive Art’s Society’s new downtown Indianapolis Rhythm Discovery Center (www.rhythmdiscoverycenter.org) this afternoon at their public opening. The exhibit definitely broadened my understanding of what percussion actually means and allowed me to try out some instruments that I’ve long since my days playing baritone with IU’s Marching Hundred and the Bluecoats, been dreaming to put my own beat-deficient hands on. All in all, we enjoyed our journey through the center very much, especially the glass enclosed storage room whose museum quality lighting gave a romantic presence to these all too overlooked works of human artistry.

Other than the strangely under-designed acoustic control of the central live performance space making it difficult to think at times, something that I questioned is the seemingly narrow history on display. True, much of today’s music and especially rhythm, comes from Africa. Yet, this surely cannot be the only roots worthy of a show of significance in this setting. For instance, there seems to be missing any emphasis on the importance of percussion in Asian culture (like Japan whose Gaguka is one of the world’s oldest styles of court music still being performed) or Native American culture (who tie the drum into nearly aspect their lives from birth to battle to celebration and to spirituality), to name two of many missing in the bunch. Possibly these will be shown as the exhibit is refreshed in the future, but I left feeling that the whole story had not been told and that visitors are lead to believe that all percussion comes from one part of the world. I’m not a historian on the matter. So, maybe it does, but as rhythm means so much to so many around the world now, the Discovery Center would be the prefect place in which to put this on display.

Despite this, I am still pleased to see such a unique and alive attraction coming to Indianapolis and will definitely recommend others visit, learn, and play. I hope to hear if others have had a chance to visit the center and, if you have, some thoughts on your experience.