Yiri

Question 0

What are the themes of the piece?

Answer 0

The struggle to survive, the importance of environment, creation and friendship.

Question 1

What are the main techniques is this type of music?

Answer 1

Cross-rhythms + Polyrythms 
Polyphony 
Repetition 
Call and response 
Heterophony (all parts play different versions of the same tune at the same time, often in different pitches) 
Improvised melodies

Question 2

What instruments are used?

Answer 2

A balafon (large wooden xylophone)
Djembe
Dundun (cylindrical, played with sticks)
Donno ( held under arm, pitch can change by pulling strings around the side)

Question 3

What is the role of the Balafon in this piece?

Answer 3

The piece begins with just one balafon. Short notes are produced. Just after the introduction the second comes in; it has a slightly lower pitch. They play throughout the piece, mainly independent from each other, sometimes using polyrhythms and heterophony. They complement/boost the drum part.

Question 4

What is the role of the drums in this piece?

Answer 4

When they first come in they play the same ostinato - which is repeated throughout the piece. The drums have different pitches (bigger=lower, smaller=higher). The drummers can change the sound by changing how the hit them. The rhythm changes slightly, near the end there are moments of silence to show the piece will soon end. Ends with a ‘ting’ of the bell.

Question 5

How do the vocal parts change?

Answer 5

To begin with, the vocals are in unison with a repetitive tune. Later they move into call and response, a soloist (call) and the rest in unison (response). The call is longer than the responses. At the end they sing in unison again.

Question 6

How does the piece build?

Answer 6

The timbre builds by the addition of different instruments. The vocals add two as they use unison + call and response. The texture begins simple, but it builds. The piece is polyphonic.