Kwela Flashcards
1
Q
Time Period
A
1950s
2
Q
Musical Origins (7)
A
- American Jazz
- Boogie-Woogie
- Marabi
- Individual street performers and busking
- Accompaniment added to later Kwela music
- 1950s in Sophiatown
- To warn people that police were on their way
3
Q
Musical Characteristics & Instrumentation (9)
A
- Cyclic Chord Structure
- I - IV - I6/4 - V OR I - IV - V - I
- Solo players with accompanying band
- Moderate to upbeat tempo
- Skiffle-like beat
(see flashcard about this) - Jive/Swing Rhythms
- Weaved another melodic line around the main melody
- Melodic material developed in improvisation
- Arpeggiated and decorated melodic passages
4
Q
Penny Whistle (6)
A
- The penny whistle became a very popular choice for Kwela
- Similar to many of the flutes found in traditional music (cattle-herders)
- Cheap & portable instrument
- Could be used as both a solo & ensemble instrument
- Accompanied by guitars and drums at first
- Was later replaced by the alto as it was louder and could play a full chromatic scale
5
Q
Social Value (3)
A
- Seen as a symbol of resistance against oppression
- The popularity of Kwela brought global attention to SA and helped raise awareness of apartheid
- The penny whistle was a link to the traditional music of the indigenous cultures
6
Q
Role of the Guitar (7)
A
- Responsible for the accompaniment
- On the beat down strumming pattern is iconically Kwela
(preceded by a short up strum anticipation) - Guitar distinguishes Kwela from the feel of Mbaqanga
- Both Rhythm & Lead guitar
- Lead guitars would take solos or play the intro to the song as well as playing contrapuntal lines
- Open 4ths & 5ths is a characteristic of the Kwela sound
- Cross-rhythms are commonly incorporated into Kwela guitar
7
Q
Banana ba Rustenburg (5 + Artist)
A
Artists : Spokes Mashiyane
- Saxophone Melody
- I - IV - I6/4 - V
- Key of Eb
- Guitar + Banjo + Drumkit + Double bass (Accompaniment)
- Theme A and Theme B + Variation of Melody
