Archaic Roots, a manifestation of many years of study, practice, sacrifice and passion for ancient instruments and traditions. The drums and instruments, indigenous instrument education presentations, drum circle facilitation and instrument building workshops found here are all inspired by traditions of our global ancestors.
We also offer unique experiences with our retreats, personal immersions, and awesome private guest room and primitive artist cabin on the Archaic Roots property, located in the Southern Appalachian wilderness. We can host you and offer you a unique experience while you’re here! Focus on yourself, delve into true wilderness, connect with our Mother Earth, hike to waterfalls, create art and instruments, and much more!!
Looking for repairs on your African drum or native style flute? Reach out and maybe we can help! We offer djembe and other drum re-heading and /or repair services, and repair a number of other indigenous instruments such as flutes, and didgeridoo.
Popular Pages
What is Sound Healing? Sound healing is a return to ancient cultural practices that used chants/songs, instruments, chimes, singing bowls, and other auditory elements to restore health, mental grounding and relieve pain. It is often introduced at mind-body or wellness … Continued
Native American Style Flute Building Workshop
Djembe Building Workshop- Spring 2019
Mystic Arts Immersion Gathering-Spring 2019
Shamanic Smudge Fan Workshop & Hike
Come and learn about the ancient practice of smudging and build your own smudge fan! We will be designing them out of all natural materials that you can both bring, and we will have here. Enjoy the peaceful connection with … Continued
About The Artist- William A. Rodriguez
From a young age I was always intrigued with ancient cultures and my more “primitive” and distant ancestors. That tribal connection and the unique cultural perspectives called to me from the past, almost as if my DNA demanded it. At around 10 years old my interest in learning about ethnic traditions blossomed, which led me into finding “the zone” in karate, meditation, yoga, running and so on.
As a teen I was entranced by the ancestral heritage ingrained in many of my ancestors cultures, and a few years later I found the drum. The drum started me on my path of learning about a multitude of ancient instruments, then learning to repair and make those instruments, which then led into teaching.
I started teaching about indigenous instruments when my oldest son was in pre-k and asked me to bring some in for show and tell, and what started as a few drums being brought to his school, ended up being large collections of instruments and detailed presentations in the later years as he aged.
Now I teach groups like scouts and at festivals and venues facilitating my instrument education presentations and instrument building workshops, braiding culture and traditional knowledge and myth into each presentation. My passion for learning and teaching about indigenous instruments constantly evolves and integrates new history, techniques and cultures. Each event is facilitated in an organic nature, with no two events exactly the same.
Recent Articles
Spirals from the Past- Sea Shell Trumpets
Reading Time: 10 minutes The beautiful conch shell trumpet above was found in Mexico, and is estimated to be over 1,000 years old. At first glance this trumpet may catch your eye; it’s beauty and intricate designs. The fact that intrigues me is that … Continued
The benefits of private group workshops
Reading Time: 5 minutes Creating unique experiences through workshops and other similar events is a special gift we share with the world here at Archaic Roots. These experiences can have many benefits for small private groups, and no two are the same. These benefits … Continued
The Bullroarer- an archaic instrument from our past
Reading Time: 4 minutes The bullroarer, turndun, or rhombus is an archaic instrument used for thousands of years into the past. It seems the whole world utilized this instrument at some point, and it may be one of the oldest in our history. These … Continued
History of our Dome Community- The Other Georgia
Reading Time: 6 minutes By James Kennedy Published Aquarius Atlanta Magazine, August 1994- republished with permission from Don Martin (Editor) 2018 At first, the visitor may get the impression they’ve fallen through a time-warp. And in a way, they may be right. The rural … Continued
What are Binaural Beats (Binaural Frequencies)?
Reading Time: 4 minutes What are binaural beats? Within past articles related to the whistling vessels of Pre-Columbian cultures and Native American flutes; we’ve referenced binaural beats and briefly discussed them and their beneficial qualities. This article will provide detailed information about binaural beats. … Continued
Native American Style Flute (Duct flute) History & Construction
Reading Time: 9 minutes Throughout history, many ancient musical instruments were more than just a means of producing pleasing sounds for someone to hear. They often had a deeper cultural or spiritual significance that was expressed through their construction, materials and uses. Flutes of various kinds have been in use around the world for at least 50,000 years.
The Unique Instruments We Call Whistling Vessels- Huaco Silbador
Reading Time: 6 minutes These unique instruments, or shamanic tools as we will later discuss, are called whistling vessels or otherwise known in Spanish as huaco silbadors. Most of the original vessels are estimated to have been made around 500 BC – 1200 AD, … Continued
