Joys of Noise (1)

[The Joys of Noise, Island Beats] Glossy cerulean paint beautifies the metal walls to mimic a bright and cloudless tropical sky. A substantial layer of sand covers the ground all around to further the beach atmosphere, probably much to the discontent of those responsible for cleaning up the grit tracked outside the swinging bamboo doors. Three potted palm trees take up the majority of the free space, while their vibrant green fronds obscure the ceiling and sway gently in passing breezes. You also see a small bamboo table with some stuff on it. Obvious exits: none.

On the first palm tree

On the palm tree you see a shekere with gold and silver beaded netting, a shekere with orange and black beaded netting, a shekere with purple and red beaded netting, a shekere with blue and white beaded netting and a shekere with green and yellow beaded netting.

Shekere

Made from a dried, hollow gourd, the jug-shaped instrument features a woven mesh draped around the outside. The netting attaches to the neck so the beads can move freely along the sides. To play the shekere, one grasps the instrument on the top and bottom while rotating and shaking it to make the beads rattle against the gourd's smooth exterior.

On the second palm tree

On the palm tree you see some smooth teak claves, some glossy rosewood claves, some polished ebony claves, some dark cypress claves and some stained palmwood claves.

Claves

The instrument is simply comprised of two round rods which the musician knocks together, grasping one piece per hand, to produce a distinctive click. This particular specimen bears a rich copper stain that emphasizes the abstract patterns in the wood's natural grain. Two crosshatched lines accent each shaft at both ends, branded for a subtle embellishment to the modest instrument.

On the third palm tree

On the palm tree you see a tenor steelpan with a thick cloth strap, a tenor steelpan with a knotted hemp strap, a tenor steelpan with a dark leather strap, a tenor steelpan with a braided linen strap and a tenor steelpan with a woven grass strap.

Steelpan

The round instrument has flat sides like a wheel, but its main feature is a deep bowl bearing several shallow indentations used for the various tones. Long and sturdy, the neck strap allows the musician to wear the steelpan while performing, proving particularly useful during energetic numbers. An overlapping pattern of rainbow-feathered parrots decorates the broad outer rim.

On the table

On the bamboo table you see an ebony-handled mallet, a steel-handled mallet, a teak-handled mallet, a cypress-handled mallet and a bamboo-handled mallet.