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| With Eileen and Steve (Curtsy: David Ernest) |
During our this time's visit to New Liskeard I met some interesting
people to whom I did not meet in my first visit. Eileen is one of them. I
was introduced to Eileen by my father-in-law for learning auto-harp an
musical instrument I have never seen or heard about in India. When
Eileen was trying to teach me auto-harp, she noticed my interest in
musical instruments. So suggested visiting a voluntary musician, Mr
Steve Smyth, staying in the nearby town Cobalt.
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| Steve talking about Sitar (Curtsy: David Ernest) |
She also mentioned about
his shop with nature's gift articles but main attraction was to see him
playing Sitar, an Indian musical instrument. So, I, Eileen and my father-in-law we visited Steve. The interesting thing
about him is that he can play many string instruments and compose music
by using electronic tracks of various instruments. Basically he is a
businessman but his interest for music goes back to his childhood. He
learned most of the instruments on his own. He used to collect nature
articles like various jewellery items created out of stones, clothing from
various countries, gift articles and used to sell them in Canada.
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| Steve Symth playing Guitar (Curtsy: David Ernest) |
He had
been to various east Asian countries like Tibet, Taiwan, China as
well as European countries and South American countries like Bali.
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| Curtsy: David Ernest |
During his visits he also got interested in mining. He not only brought the natural articles but also made himself familiar
with the culture, philosophy and of course musical instruments.
Incidentally, he has never been to India but has got one Sitar and he
plays it very well. When we entered in his shop "Nature's Gift" we saw variety of stone Jewellery, gift articles and clothing from Bali. He showed us various kinds of stones and artifacts he has brought from
different countries. This shop is open only for summer. When we entered
into his music studio room we were mesmerized by seeing the variety of
instruments he has. He has Sitar, Banjo, some Tibetian instruments, various kinds of Guitars, Dulcimer etc. He also had an electronic music synthesizer. His
main passion is music, which he has developed since his childhood. He
said that he hardly got any formal training of these instruments. He got
his Sitar from one of his friends in Toronto. Not a single corner of his house/studio/shop wall was uncovered. Everywhere
you could see either an instrument or wall hangings especially of
Tibetian designs or gift articles or cloths.
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| Me trying hands on Dulcimer (Curtsy: David Ernest) |
He learned Sitar only for a few days and then developed the skill on his
own. He always preferred to learn a piece of music and then use it for
improvisations. He always use his creativity when he learns any
instruments and create a new piece of art. He also offers lessons in these musical instruments. At present some students are learning different instruments from him by taking one-to-one lessons. He explained us how various music pieces can be created. It is clearly a game of patterns, loops and their effective use.
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| Curtsy: David Ernest |
He always teaches his students to improvise and create their own music pieces by using the available ones. He has a YouTube Chanel named
GlobeTone, where he has uploaded many of his creations.
His first wife was a music therapist. So, another reason he was
interested in various instruments and exploring them was to use them for
music therapy. He showed us Tibetian music instruments such as "Tal
(Zanja)" and vessels of different circular sizes and different weights.
He mentioned that the vessels were brought from India and were made in
Assam. It was told to him that the metal used in these vessels were
taken from canon shells. I used to work in Assam and I know that it is
very common in Assam to use vessels made by mixture of some metals. The
mixture is called Kans and it certainly contains metals like Bronze,
Copper, small portion of iron etc. The experts may be able to provide
accurate information. These instruments mostly are used by religious and
spiritual people.
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| Tibetian Music Instrument (Curtsy: The Web) |
He
added that it is believed that the sound of Zanja is used for chasing
away the ghosts and spirits. In north eastern India and probably in
Tibet the belief about ghosts and spirits is more. It is quiet possible
that these instruments must be used for that purpose. However, being an
Indian when I saw these instruments it reminded me the bells in our
temples which certainly has a different sound than church bells and the
use of Zanja in Bhajan singing.
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| Steve demonstrating the Bell playing (Curtsy: David Ernest) |
It certainly has a soothing effect on
our mind. He uses all these instruments for Music Therapy, Reki and Pranik healing techniques. Although he is born Christian, he likes Buddhism and Confucianism. Rarely we get to see such people who live for their passion, I feel much appreciation for such people who truly explore their life in various directions. Best wishes Steve.
