The Music of Africa!
Activity 1
Listen to the following track and take notes in your portfolio on the musical features you can hear in "Yiri" (Koko):
Look at the following PowerPoint file which expores the African musical features of “Yiri”, and follow the instructions on the slides....
Activity 2
Using the instruments, in the song 'Yiri' which are listed in the PowerPoint, replicate the main theme (from 1.10 - 1.48 minute mark).
As a group you will learn this theme using some western notation below (chorus and drums) and using the audio from the video above (for Balaphon and cowbell).
If necessary, you may use common instruments to replace these ethnic instruments:
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Djembe/drums,
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voice
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Balaphon/xylophone/marimba
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cowbell/metal percussion
Rehearse in your station group making sure that each part is performed. As there are no lyrics provided (Yiri is usually performed rather than notated), you may use a neautral syllable to sing.
Either record this performance into GarageBand, saving into your class file in the -
"African Station" folder.
Make sure your station members names are included in the file name.
If you prefer, perform the final piece to your teacher.
Arranged by Jane Meney
Arranged by Jane Meney
Activity 3
Watch the following djembe ensemble video;
'Kusun Djembe Drum circle'
which demonstrates many typical African drumming techniques. Watch in particular to:
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how they interact as a group
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the types of rhythms performed by each drummer
and make notes accordingly in your portfolio.
Click and discuss the slides on the following PowerPoint, and follow the instructions on the last slide...
After reading and exploring various drumming techniques, let's look at another native but well-known African drumming ensemble:
'The Royal Drummers of Burundi'
watch in particular:
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the role of the master drummer
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the different drumming techniques
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rhythmic features
and make notes accordingly in your portfolio.
Drumming activity:
As a group compose a short piece on drums/percussion (up to ONE minute), using at least TWO of the following music features within your group composition:
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polyrhythm
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ostinato
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cross-rhythm
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call and response
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syncopation
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Master drumming cue's
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Western notation of your part should be recorded in portfolio
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if preffered, an audio recording of your part should be done so in GarageBand and saved in the 'African Drumming' folder within your class files (or allow a group member to help you with notation)
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You MUST perform drumming composition as a group to be recorded and saved (in same GarageBand file- name your group), or performed to the teacher/other students to be assessed
Extension activity!
If you have extra time, or are eager to continue this station at another time - here's a final task for you!
Limpopo River song
This is a song from Zimbabwe in Ndebele.
The Limpopo River song is sung by people who cross the Limpopo river while walking from Matabeleland to work in the gold mines of South Africa.
The river is known as 'ingululkudela'. Listen to the following track while reading the lyrics provided.
Take note of the way vocals, harmonies and call and response is used.
Sayiwela, sayiwela
Sayiwela sibili
Sayiwela Ingulukudela
Siyofuna imali
Baphina obaba? / okoko?
Basemazulwini
Basitshiyel'indubeko
Indubeko zomhlaba
(Translation)
We crossed it, we crossed it
We really crossed it
We crossed Ingulukudela
To look for money
Where are those fathers? / mothers?
They are in heaven
They left us problems
These earthly difficulties
(http://www.omniglot.com/songs/african/zulu.php)
Listen to a recording of this song (recorded live at Sing for Water, London 2009)
YOUR TASK:
Construct a melody DIFFERENT TO THE ORIGINAL, as well as harmonies, and call and response features, to apply to the text.
Incorporate this into your previously composed drum pattern and record (saving in designated file) or perform for class/teacher