Introduction to West African percussive music
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Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe some of the key features of West African percussive music and can play a cross rhythm.
Key learning points
- West Africa has a long history of music and dance. Many Western styles can trace their roots back to this region.
- While the music is extremely varied, many traditional styles have similar features and instrumentation.
- Most traditional styles in the region use percussion instruments, including djembe, agogo bell, dunun and shekere.
- Polyrhythm and cross rhythms are common features across various traditions.
- Most of these traditions combine music and dance together.
Keywords
Djembe - A djembe is a common type of hand drum used in many West African traditions.
Agogo bell - An agogo bell is a metal instrument consisting of two pitched bells. It is played with a stick.
Dunun - A dunun is a large two-headed drum played with a stick. Often a bell is also attached.
Polyrhythm - When multiple rhythms are played at the same time we call this a polyrhythm.
Cross rhythm - A cross rhythm is a polyrhythm in which two or more of the rhythms 'conflict' and feel like they have a different pulse.
Common misconception
A cross rhythm is when two players play in different time signatures.
A cross rhythm only sounds like there are different time signatures at the same time, but in reality they both use the same time signature (but sound otherwise).
Teacher tip
For Task C, for pupils who would benefit from additional challenge consider encouraging them to play the rhythms faster and slower, as well as to try playing both rhythms themself simultaneously. Pupils could also try harder cross rhythms - 5-4 is a particularly challenging one.
Equipment
DAW and/or set of hand drums and percussion instruments
Licence
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