Yiri

Question 1

Polyrhythm

Answer 1

Two or more rhythms with different pulses are heard together.

Question 2

Timelines

Answer 2

A short repeated rhythm

Question 3

Balafon

Answer 3

A West-African xylophone made from logs or bamboo.

Question 4

Yiri

Answer 4

Wood

Question 5

Strophic

Answer 5

Split up into verses

Question 6

Call and response

Answer 6

Two phrases, where the second phrase is played as a response to the first phrase.

Question 7

Acapella

Answer 7

Singing without instrumental accompaniment.

Question 8

How many different pitches are the drums playing?

Answer 8

The drums are playing two different pitches.

Question 9

Which scale is the melody based on?

Answer 9

A six note scale.

Question 10

What best describes the type of rhythm?

Answer 10

Cross rhythm

Question 11

What is the main metre of the piece?

Answer 11

The main metre of the piece is 4/4.

Question 12

What rhythmic technique is frequently used in this piece?

Answer 12

Syncopation

Question 13

What does the rhythmic ostinato consist of?

Answer 13

The rhythmic ostinato consists of a quaver and two semiquavers.

Question 14

What key is this piece in?

Answer 14

This piece is in the key of Gb major.

Question 15

What notes do the balafons emphasise?

Answer 15

Gb and Db, the tonic and dominant.

Question 16

Describe the texture of this piece.

Answer 16

The Yiri has a mostly layered and polyrhythmic texture, starting with a monophonic texture with the balafon solo.

Question 17

Djembe

Answer 17

A goblet-shaped drum played with the hands.

Question 18

What is the talking drum, and how is it used to imitate speech?

Answer 18

A drum played with a stick, used to imitate speech, by creating different pitches and slides.

Question 19

Why is this piece called the Yiri?

Answer 19

Most of the instruments are made out of wood.

Question 20

What is the structure of the Yiri?

Answer 20

3 Sections:
• Intro - balafon solo with tremolo
• Main - ostinato, clear pulse, vocal call and response, balafon solos
• Coda - Short balafon phrase, drum ostinato interrupted by rests and bell

Question 21

What is the harmony of this piece?

Answer 21

Hexatonic, without F

Question 22

Describe the dynamics in the Yiri.

Answer 22

There is little variation, the dynamics remain constant.

Question 23

Dundun

Answer 23

Double-headed drum played w

Question 24

Dundun

Answer 24

Double-headed drum played with sticks

Question 25

How is African music carried on?

Answer 25

Oral tradition, so therefore has no musical notation.

Question 26

Tone languages

Answer 26

Languages made up of only a few pitched, the level of pitch determines the meaning of the words.

Question 27

Membranophones

Answer 27

Category of instruments that have a drum skin.

Question 28

What are common features of African instrumental music?

Answer 28

• Repetition
• Improvisation
• Cyclic structures
• Polyphonic textures
• Intertwining melodies

Question 29

Heterophonic

Answer 29

Musical texture with several parts play the same melodic part but with slight pitch differences.

Question 30

Cross-rhythm

Answer 30

When two conflicting rhythms are heard together.