Year 5

To structure and perform a piece inspired by West African drumming

Year 5

To structure and perform a piece inspired by West African drumming

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. In this lesson, we will begin with a call and response warm-up. Then we will review the ostinatos and signals learnt in the previous lesson. Following this, we will develop our understanding of cross-rhythms, culminating in planning a performance.

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5 Questions

Q1.
What does call and response mean?
Correct answer: A musical conversation - where one phrase (a call) is answered by another (the response)
When a musician picks up the telephone
When musicians shout across an ensemble
Q2.
Which of these instruments is typically featured in West African music?
Bassoon
Correct answer: Djembe
Q3.
Which of these materials is NOT typically used to make a djembe drum?
Correct answer: Silver
Skin (traditionally goat-skin)
Wood (traditionally a carved out trunk)
Q4.
What is an ostinato?
A city in West Africa
A flavour of ice-cream
Correct answer: A repeated rhythm or pattern
Q5.
What is used to start and stop a drumming performance?
A conductor
A count in
Correct answer: A signal

5 Questions

Q1.
What is the purpose of the signal in West African drumming?
To show ensemble players when to pick their drums up
To show the audience when to clap
Correct answer: To show the ensemble where to start and stop
Q2.
What is an ostinato?
Correct answer: A repeated pattern or phrase
A typical West African drum
A West African dance
Q3.
What is the role of the Master Drummer?
To collect all of the instruments at the end of a performance
To follow instructions the leader
Correct answer: To lead the ensemble
Q4.
What is a cross-rhythm?
a repeated pattern or phrase
Correct answer: the effect produced when two conflicting rhythms are heard together.
when you dance and drum at the same time
Q5.
What is the West African drum called that we have been focussing on?
Dhol
Correct answer: Djembe
Timpani