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Lesson 5 of 6
  • Year 8

Warabadon - structure and solo parts

I can play the Warabadon rhythm with the different sections, including an improvised solo.

Lesson 5 of 6
New
New
  • Year 8

Warabadon - structure and solo parts

I can play the Warabadon rhythm with the different sections, including an improvised solo.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Warabadon has a structure consisting of different sections.
  2. Part 3 contains improvised solos which are performed by the djembefola and often include fast, complex triplet rhythms.
  3. The solo section of the Warabadon includes polyrhythm.
  4. This is a key feature which creates excitement and a thicker texture in the music.
  5. We have performed the full Warabadon structure including an improvised solo.

Keywords

  • Polyrhythm - the combination of two or more different rhythms at the same time

  • Improvised solo - a featured part of a composition played by one person, where the player makes up the rhythm on the spot

  • Djembefola - the lead drummer

  • Triplets - three notes played in the time it normally takes to play two

Common misconception

Improvisation means making something up from nothing

You can use typical rhythms or features of the style as a basis oof any improvisation. This might mean using an establisehd idea such as a prepared triplet or syncopated rhtyhm and then extending the idea with something made up in the moment.


To help you plan your year 8 music lesson on: Warabadon - structure and solo parts, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

When improvising, allow pupils to make mistakes and express themselves and praise anything that worked, no matter how small. Teach as a whole class or break down into smaller groups with more able pupils taking the lead. Take the time to recap the rhythms before introducing the echauffment section.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Djembe and dunduns can be replaced with bass, mid and treble versions of any untuned percussion. You can also use cupped hands (bass), palm clap (tone) and full clap (slap) as an alternative.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
In compound time, a beat is divided into groups of

1
2
Correct answer: 3
4
5

Q2.
How many different sounds does the Djembe make?

Correct Answer: three, 3

Q3.
What is the term for creating music on the spot?

Correct Answer: Improvisation, improvising

Q4.
What is a flam (represented by ‘F’ in the notation)?

The notes are played louder.
Correct answer: Play two hands very close together, the second note is louder.
Play two drums at the same time.
Play two notes louder, at exactly the same time.

Q5.
Which of these dundun parts is usually the most syncopated?

dundunba
kenkeni
apitua
Correct answer: sangban

Q6.
A featured part of a composition played by one person, and often improvised is a

break
echauffement
Correct answer: solo
call

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
In what context is the Warabadon rhythm usually played?

at sea
Correct answer: weddings
funerals
Correct answer: celebrations

Q2.
The combination of 2 or more different rhythms at the same time is called a

Correct Answer: polyrhythm, polyrhythms

Q3.
A short phrase to break up the main rhythms is called a

call
Correct answer: break
echauffement
solo
response

Q4.
What is a featured part of a composition played by one person, where the player makes up the rhythm on the spot?

group improvisation
Correct answer: improvised solo
improved section
polyrhyhm parts

Q5.
Three notes played in a beat where normally two would be played is a

quaver
crotchet
Correct answer: triplet
minim

Q6.
What is the djembefola?

The group of drummers.
Correct answer: The lead drummer.
Two drummers playing at once.
Taking it in turns.