AOS 3 - African drumming Flashcards
ostinato
a continuously repeated rhythm pattern,forming the basis of the music
polyrhythm
a texture created when two or more different rhythmic patterns are played at the same time
syncopation
off beats
cross rhythm
an effect created when different/conflicting rhythm patterns are played together
timbre
the quality of music (eg. bright, piercing)
djembe physical desc
a goblet-shaped drum
how to play the djembe
play with hands
how to play the talking drum
squeeze under the arm or between the knees - drum struck with a stick or a beater/ hooked stick
marimba
a kind of wooden xylophone with resonators underneath the note bars
mbira
a thumb-piano - wooden board with metal strips plucked with thumbs
bass in djembe - sound + how to play sound
A long, low pitched sound played by striking the middle of the drum
tone in djembe - sound + how to play sound
A medium-pitched sound played by striking the drum halfway between the edge and the centre.
slap in djembe - sound + how to play sound
A short, high-pitched sound played by striking the edge of the drum.
dunun/dundun physical description
larger double-headed cylinder drum - a bell like instrument mounted on it
how to play dunun/dundun
worn on the shoulder, using a strap played with a stick
call and response
One person shouts, or plays a ‘call’, and the rest of the performers (or audience) respond.
balafon
xylophone with gourds underneath as resonators
maracas
rattle instruments - often made of gourds filled with beans or beads
gourd
a large fruit with hard skin - the flesh inside is removed and the skin dried leaving a hollow resonating chamber
shekere
a dried gourd covered in a net with beads or shells woven in, forming a kind of rattle
agogo bells
metal bells often in pairs, sometimes attached to drums
master drummer
the lead drummer who directs the drumming group and is known for their skill
a cappella
voices without an accompainment
kora
a long - necked harp lute with a gourd resonator
