Michael Bettine ~ Percussionist/composer/producer/writer/alchemist/cosmonaut
Influences
Everything
Sounds Like
The 5 Elements: Air, Earth, Fire, Water, Ether—Angels breathing—Planets spinning—Stars falling—Hearts beating—Lives changing—the Molecules of your Being—the Music of the Spheres—Dark Winter Skies—2012—Water washing upon a rocky Shore—the Book of Secrets—the End of All Ages
The Beginner's Guide to G O N G T O P I A
THE GONG MIRRORS THE HEARTBEAT OF THE UNIVERSE.
~ SINGAL RINPOCHE
Michael Bettine has been playing percussion for most of his life. He can't really remember a time when rhythm didn't fascinate him. While he has spent many years play rock/pop/jazz drums, he has always been drawn more to the fringe of things. While at University he discovered John Cage, European free jazz, African & Asian music, and was always the student who asked the weirdest questions, like: "What about sheet metal? Do you know anything about using sheet metal as percussion?" After apparently thinking beyond the realm of such a staunch jazz tradition school, he pursued experimental ideas on his own. This lead to the discovery of Gongs and other ringing metal percussion. The die was cast and there was no turning back…
Jump to the present and Michael still exhibits the same restless urge for discovery that he did as a youth. He concentrates most of his energy on performances and compositions for Gongs & other metal percussion. In 2000 he developed GONGTOPIA as a means of expressing these ideas and has toured/recorded extensively since. He also presents Gong Workshops, has written extensively on Gongs & percussion, and is currently working on 3 new books on percussion (whew!). In concert he plays on 50 or more Gongs, as well as cymbals, bells, and Tibetan Singing Bowls. The discovery continues…
Michael also teaches extensively, corrupting the innocent minds of youth with his radical ideas on percussion and rhythm. But he insists that percussionists need to push the boundaries beyond the accepted norms of rhythm. As the late, great composer, John Cage wrote, "The spirit of percussion opens everything, even what was so to speak, completely closed."
Enlightenment is not a one time event. We must each seek to become enlightened everyday. ~ Singal Rinpoche
GONGTOPIA
Ancient Sounds for Modern Times
WHAT THE PRESS SAYS:
NUVO (Indianapolis) Bettine transformed a beautiful sculptural backdrop of 28 gongs varying in texture and circumference into an ambient moodscape deep enough to score a tidal wave.
CD - Stars Show The Way - The Improvisor, Richard Grooms It's easily one of the best solo percussion records I've ever heard. Bettine is essential listening for percussionists and anyone interested in solo free-oriented music.
CDs - Stars Show The Way/Labyrinth - Modern Drummer, Martin Patmos - RATING: 8 (of 10) MICHAEL BETTINE is a percussionist specializing in metal ... Sinking into Bettine's sound world is fascinating and inspiring.
CD - Stars Show The Way - Drum! magazine, Waldo the Squid, 12/2002 Don't expect to hear burning riffage... Bettine is an experimentalist who is less concerned with chops than creating colors and textures... Bettine has a unique vision that sets him apart from the hoards.
CD - Stars Show The Way - World Percussion and Rhythm, Terry Reimer, Winter 2003 This solo CD is a 'percussion tour de force'... moving beyond rhythm to explore the realms of texture and color.
jazznow.com Mr. Bettine is a percussionist of flair and ability.
WMSE radio, Hal Rammel Beautifully played compositions....quite original and exciting percussion music.
As a writer, Michael has been a regular contributor to MODERN DRUMMER magazine since 1982. In that time he has interviewed a Who's Who of creative drummers: Pierre Favre, Fredy Studer, Andrea Centazzo, Alex Cline, Steve Smith, Bill Bruford, Terry Bozzio, Gerry Hemingway, Paul Wertico, Paul Lytton, Fritz Hauser, René Creemers, Carl Palmer, Chad Wackerman, Daniel Humair, Bob Gatzen, Reinhard Flatischler, CarlAllen, Ian Mosely, Ernie Adams, Hamid Drake, Peter Erskine, Abbey Rader, and many, many more.
Michael has also conributed pieces to DownBeat, Rhythm, Drums & Drumming, Avant, and many other music publications. His books include When In Doubt, Roll! (w/Bill Bruford). Percussion Profiles (w/Trevor Taylor), and contributions to various other books and anthologies. In addition, he has written recording liner notes for various musicians, including: Alex Cline, Pierre Favre, Fredy Studer, and Andrea Centazzo.
Michael is set to release the first 2 volumes of a series of drumming books, The Thinking Drummer, in the fall of 2009. He is also preparing a book on Gongs.
Michael uses Gongs/Sounds/Cymbals
Mallets
custom made cases
For bookings, info, questions, contact: gongtopia at aol.com
I am stopping by to say "hi" and to remind you that in addition to MySpace, you can visit with me on Twitter and Facebook. I also have a personal blog on StockValues.
I write mostly about farming/gardening and stock/bond investing, but also anything else that rattles my cage. Please stop by when you get a chance.
Our song 'Yellow Suit' is on the first FRIEND VOTE Indie Top 100 Chart on this week. Maybe our friends can help us get no 1 for Monday. Vote for AMYCANBE at http://www.myspace.com/indietop100 Until again, all the best, Amycanbe
Yes!!! We are in PEACE, compilation for Amnesty International out next January, along with other great names. See our blog section for infos. Cheers!!
Hi friends, finally, it's done...the brandnew track of "reminder" in collaboration with "Rapha" is released today. The track "Beyound the Clouds" fascinates with a fantastic, classic melody, which has been well reproduced in all remixes. Daniel Kandi's 147 Remix is a really bomb on the dancefloor Thank you for your support...
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