Marabi

Question 1

Time Period

Answer 1

1920s - 1950s

Question 2

Musical Origins (8)

Answer 2

1. Tiekie-draai (traditional cape folk dance)
2. Traditional music of Zulu/Xhosa/Sotho
   (ceremonial songs/umbholoho-wedding songs etc)
3. Early American Jazz
   (Popular dance tunes + Jive/Swing/Dixie)
4. Ragtime & Blues
   (4 bar cyclic chord pattern + piano + “rag” rhythms)
5. American Spirituals
   (Amazing Grace/Sweet Chariot)
6. Western Church Hymns
7. Military band music
8. Doo Wop
   (vocal harmony group singing style)

Question 3

Social Origins (5)

Answer 3

1. Played by African working class musicians at parties and shebeens
2. Increasing urbanization around mining centres led to the development of slums
3. Used for social occasions
   (STOKVEL parties)
4. Marabi dance parties were the weekend centre of community life
5. Gave the black community and working class a sense of identity

Question 4

Characteristics & Instrumentation (7)

Answer 4

1. Cyclic chord structure
   (I - IV - I6/4 - V)
2. Three-chord patterns for reworked traditional melodies
3. Small instrumental ensembles, including piano and shaker
4. Moderate to upbeat tempo
5. Moderate to fast ragtime-based rhythms
6. Repetitive, single-themed dance tunes
7. Simple pedal-organ, guitar, banjo and drum or percussion

Question 5

Langa More (5 + Band name)

Answer 5

Band : The Flying Jazz Queens

1. C major
2. Cyclic chord progression
3. I - IV - V - I
4. Male lead vocals with Flying Jazz Queens providing close harmony backing vocals
5. Guitar-based backing band with alto-sax fill

Question 6

Jikela Emaweni

Answer 6

Band : The Manhattan Brothers

1. Doo Sop-like “jive” vocals
2. Singing in Xhosa, Shona, Zulu & English, the Manhattan Brothers mixed sleek swing vocals with photo-doo wop and jubilee gospel
3. Set the standard for many vocal groups that came in their wake
4. The feel is playful and glorious
5. Instrumentation : Jazz Combo + Clarinet
6. Cyclic harmonic progression
7. I - II - V - I
8. 4/4 medium tempo, light shuffle feel