Yiri Flashcards
Polyrhythm
Two or more rhythms with different pulses are heard together.
Timelines
A short repeated rhythm
Balafon
A West-African xylophone made from logs or bamboo.
Yiri
Wood
Strophic
Split up into verses
Call and response
Two phrases, where the second phrase is played as a response to the first phrase.
Acapella
Singing without instrumental accompaniment.
How many different pitches are the drums playing?
The drums are playing two different pitches.
Which scale is the melody based on?
A six note scale.
What best describes the type of rhythm?
Cross rhythm
What is the main metre of the piece?
The main metre of the piece is 4/4.
What rhythmic technique is frequently used in this piece?
Syncopation
What does the rhythmic ostinato consist of?
The rhythmic ostinato consists of a quaver and two semiquavers.
What key is this piece in?
This piece is in the key of Gb major.
What notes do the balafons emphasise?
Gb and Db, the tonic and dominant.
Describe the texture of this piece.
The Yiri has a mostly layered and polyrhythmic texture, starting with a monophonic texture with the balafon solo.
Djembe
A goblet-shaped drum played with the hands.
What is the talking drum, and how is it used to imitate speech?
A drum played with a stick, used to imitate speech, by creating different pitches and slides.
Why is this piece called the Yiri?
Most of the instruments are made out of wood.
What is the structure of the Yiri?
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
What is the harmony of this piece?
Hexatonic, without F
Describe the dynamics in the Yiri.
There is little variation, the dynamics remain constant.
Dundun
Double-headed drum played w
Dundun
Double-headed drum played with sticks
