This blog is specifically written for the people who are in the Synod School class I'm teaching this summer. It is also open to anyone else who has an interest in using African style drumming in the service of churches, Sunday schools and youth groups.
Getting right down to brass tacks, I've posted the first three percussion parts on today's blog (actually, I guess it's now Wednesday, so it's yesterday's blog.) The Cowbell, Shekere and Gankogui are the 'non-skin' instruments, so they'll be here together. Any time you want to practice one of those parts, just click on the play button on the little movie, and play along. There is a picture of the written out notation in the movie. I'm not sure how legible it is, but it is there.
Cowbell part plays a very traditional pattern; 3 + 2. It's a staple of Latin American music as well as African music. This is the lead part. Play it strong.
Shekere plays a nice part that has two sections per phrase pattern. It also gets a nice energetic part in the coda.
Finally, the gankogui part. It's not complex, but it is very important that it keeps a steady rhythm.
So many students that I teach want a drum part, and don't realize the key role that the bells and shakers play in an African ensemble. The players on these three parts should really work to 'groove' the parts together, so there is a good foundation for the drum parts.
Good luck practicing. I'll post the drum parts later on Wednesday.
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