West African Music

In this lesson, we will introduce West African music with reference to the context and history of the song "Kuku" and the djembe. We will listen to traditional and contemporary music before learning how to play rhythms from "Kuku" using body percussion.

In this lesson, we will learn the 'unison response' section of the song "Kuku". We will perform start and stop signals as the master drummer before composing our own signals. We will finish the lesson with a call and response section.

In this lesson, we will break down how to approach rhythmic improvisation. We will then use these techniques to improvise creative rhythms using body percussion sounds.

In this lesson, we will explore the various untuned percussion instruments of West Africa. We will then be introduced to texture and polyrhythms and will have the opportunity to perform 3:4 and 3:2 polyrhythms.

In this lesson, we will explore the different percussion instruments of West Africa before composing using different textures and sonorities.

In this lesson, we will learn the vocal part of the song "Kuku" and where it fits in the structure of the song. We will also explore how melody is used in some West African music.

In this lesson, we will revisit the learning from all of the lessons so far in this unit. We will listen to, play and create music inspired by the rhythms, textures and sonorities of West African music.

In this lesson, we will explore basic musical structures, such as binary and ternary forms, through listening, performing and composing.

In this lesson, we will be able to show how music has a sense of direction, by composing music within a structure.

In this lesson, we will explore more features of African music. What is a griot? What is the role of music in West African society? We will learn the answers to these questions in this lesson, and have an opportunity to be a griot!

In this lesson, we will explore the musical features of two songs from Ghana which have rhythmic accompaniments.

In this lesson, we will study the music of African artist Yemi Alade. We will also learn where she is from, and why we are studying her music.

In this lesson, we will explore the question "Does West African music share ideas across this continent?". We will look at commonalities and differences in the style of African music against other musical styles.