DCMS://MUS230_African Drumming/
Contact: Tony Lewis
Ph: 0405 686 089
Email: dhamorperc@yahoo.com
Credit points: 3
Offered: D1 Day; Offered in first half-year and V2
Prerequisites: 12cp
This is a practical and theoretical unit in the ensemble drumming of west Africa. Participants will receive direct hands-on tuition in the drumming traditions, from an experienced practitioner, and (where possible) on authentic instruments. It will focus strongly on interlocking networks of simple support parts, that combine to create complex and sophisticated rhythms. It will also investigate the phenomenon of polyrhythm.
The unit will necessarily consider the instruments of the ensemble, and the social role and value of the drumming. It will also look at some extra-musical considerations, such as dance, language, and ritual. Reading and theoretical work will be required, including notation and graphic representation of given rhythms.
Unit Objectives
The unit aims to equip the student to perform (to a limited degree) selected items from the drum ensemble repertoire of the traditions under investigation, as well as to understand the music forms within the social contexts that have given rise to them.
Upon completion of the unit, students will be able to:
understand and discuss the nature of interlocking rhythms and polyrhythm
understand and discuss the relationships between music and society in Africa
perform musical items from the west African ensemble drumming repertoire
notate the rhythms played