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Basic 3 · Creative Arts · Planning, Making and Composing

Creating African-Inspired Music and Dance

In this topic you will create music and dance inspired by performances from other African countries.

By the end of these notes you should be able to:

  • Create a rhythm inspired by African drumming
  • Create a short dance
  • Combine song, rhythm and dance

What you already know

  • Music and dance from other African countries

Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.

Strand
Performing Arts
Sub-strand
Planning, Making and Composing
Indicator
B3.2.2.2.1 – Plan and create own artworks that represent performing artworks produced or performed in other communities in Africa

Introduction

West African drummers play "bass, tone, slap" sounds on the djembe. You can make similar sounds on a local drum.

1. Djembe-Style Sounds

Drum sounds
SoundHow to play
basshit the centre with a flat palm
tonehit the edge with flat fingers
slaphit the edge with relaxed, cupped fingers

2. Creating a Performance

  1. Make a 4-beat rhythm, e.g. bass – tone – tone – slap.
  2. Add a call-and-response chant.
  3. Add three dance steps (step, jump, turn).
  4. Practise until everyone is together.
Hand positions for bass, tone and slap on a drum
Figure 1: Playing bass, tone and slap Draw the three hand positions.Illustration: Sirbus

New words

bass
A deep drum sound.
tone
A clear, ringing drum sound.
slap
A sharp, high drum sound.
combine
To put together.

Summary

  • Djembe-style drumming uses bass, tone and slap sounds.
  • We create a performance with rhythm, chant and dance.
  • Practise until everyone is together.

Class activity: African Groove

  1. Create a 4-beat rhythm with the local drum and gourd shaker.
  2. Add a chant and three dance steps.
  3. Perform it for another group.

You need: Locally made drum, Gourd shaker, Printed photographs of Ghanaian, African performances

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

  1. 1. A deep drum sound is a…

    • A. Bass
    • B. Slap
    • C. Tone
    • D. Rest
    Show answer
    Answer: BassBass is deep.

  2. 2. Where do you hit for a bass sound?

    • A. The centre
    • B. The edge
    • C. The side
    • D. The bottom
    Show answer
    Answer: The centreFlat palm in the centre.

  3. 3. We can combine rhythm, chant and dance.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: TrueThat makes a performance.

  4. 4. A slap is played with a closed fist.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: FalseUse relaxed, cupped fingers at the edge.

  5. 5. To put together is to ______.

    Show answer
    Answer: combineThat is combining.

  6. 6. Write a 4-beat rhythm using bass, tone and slap.

    Show answer
    Answer: E.g. bass – tone – tone – slap.Any 4-beat pattern.

Homework

  1. Practise your rhythm on a bucket or table at home.