Yiri By KokoSub-Saharan African Music

The Last Set Work!!Wohoo!!

How big is Africa?11, 679, 000 sq milesIf you combined the USA, China, India, Europe and Japan - theywould allfit into the continent of Africa?The US can fit comfortably into Africa no less than three times. The UK can fit into Africa over 120 times.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Genres of African musicAfrican Music falls into three main genres:DrummingChoral Song (tribal singing)Instrumental musicAll feature in this set work.

DrummingDrums play a big part in African culture.Used as accompaniment to dancing, singing and working.Also used to draw people together for community events (weddingsetc).There are different patterns for different occasions.The music is passed on through ORAL TRADITION.

Drums

Master DrummerIn most African ensembles there is a master drummer.Hes accompanied by any number of other drums and percussion.A system of CALL AND RESPONSE is used to structure the music.The master drummer controls the build up and release of tension.He also leads changes in dynamics, tempo, pitch and rhythm.

RhythmsAfrican Music is based on rhythms of varying lengths.Drummers accent particular beats in a rhythmic cycle.Different rhythms with different accents can be played together called POLYRHYTHMS.Sometimes youll hear two rhythms together that dont quite fit called CROSS-RHYTHMS.The rhythms use a lot of SYNCOPATION.Individual players play their own minor variations to the piece.

Drumming Example

Features of African MusicRepetition - the restatement of a section of music, can be a few notes or a whole section.ImprovisationPolyphonyCall and response - usually a solo followed by a group answering phrase.Oral traditionCross Rhythms Tone languages Languages/Lyrics made up of only a few pitches, called tone languages.The pitch level determines the meaning of the words.

SingingSinging is an essential part of everyday life in sub-Saharan Africa.Its sung by ordinary people and plays an important part in the community.Singing is often heard at celebrations and events e.g. weddings, funerals, harvests and rituals.The traditional songs are passed from generation to generation.

Audience participationPerformances are long and involve the audience/community.They will shout, cheer and repeat a phrase sung by one of the performers.They may even be the response in the call and response.

Singing Example

Singing Example

Features of African SongsCall and responseShort melodies, often repeated.Ostinato.Simple scales.Often only 4, 5, or 6 notes.Rounds - voices enter at different points in a continuous cycle.Creates an overlapping and ever-changing musical texture.Harmony - varies between tribes.Can be parallel (4ths, 5ths) or unison or octaves, or even more complicated parts.

Instrumental Music

Features of African Instrumental MusicDrums as in other types of African MusicMembranophones - posh name for drums because they have a skin.Balaphones - xylophone type instruments.Repetition (including OSTINATI)ImprovisationCyclic structuresPolyphonic texturesIntertwining melodies

Team challengeYoure going to listen to Yiri by KokoThe team who can identify the most instruments/features in the set work wins a Team Champion Respect Point each

Identify as many features as you can

AnswersNominate a team speakerTaking it in turns, each speaker will read out one feature from their listEach correct and unique feature earns a point for the team

Remember!!You will have a MOCK EXAM (Section A questions only) on Friday 10th May.6 - 8 random set works covered (as in the real exam)I will use the results of these Mocks to prepare revision sessions for you

Yiri By KokoSub-Saharan African Music

Remember!!You will have a MOCK EXAM (Section A questions only) on Friday 10th May.6 - 8 random set works covered (as in the real exam)I will use the results of these Mocks to prepare revision sessions for you

Session 2 Yiri by KokoCatch-up Questions:What are the three main genres of African Music?What are the names of the drums we looked at, and how could you tell them apart?What instrument(s) plays the tune in Yiri?What features does African music share with the other set works from this Area of StudyWhat is the role of a MASTER DRUMMER?What is TONE LANGUAGE?

Catch-up AnswersWhat are the three main genres of African Music?

African Music falls into three main genres:DrummingChoral Song (tribal singing)Instrumental musicAll feature in this set work.

Catchup AnswersWhat are the names of the drums we looked at, and how could you tell them apart?

Catchup AnswersWhat instrument(s) plays the tune in Yiri?

Catchup AnswersWhat features does African music share with the other set works from this Area of Study

Repetition / Rhythmic CyclesImprovisationPolyphony / Monophony / HeterophonyCall and responseOral traditionCross / Iso / Poly RhythmsVocables

Catchup AnswersWhat is the role of the MASTER DRUMMER?

The master drummer controls the build up and release of tension.He also leads changes in dynamics, tempo, pitch and rhythm. Similar to a conductor in Western Classical music.

Catchup AnswersWhat is TONE LANGUAGE?

Tone language Language/Lyrics made up of only a few pitches.The pitch level can determines the meaning of the words.Similar to RECITATIVE in Western Music

Origin of YiriBurkina Faso Common themes for music from this country include great battles, the environment, creation, celebrations and friendshipYiri means Wood Probably a reference to the wooden instruments used

Set Work SummaryComplete Part 1 of Set work Summary

Yiri By KokoHas three clear strands:The Balaphone Ostinati in combination these produce complex POLYPHONIC and HETEROPHONIC textures.The Drum Ostinati they play a relentless one-bar pattern.

The Vocal line a simple HEXATONIC line, with a call and response section.

StructureINTRO Instrumental introduction CHORUS A1 Choir sings togetherBREAK Short Balaphone breakCHORUS A2 Choir sings together againBREAK Short Balaphone breakCALL & RESPONSE Lead singer takes solo vocal line, with ending of phrases being call and response with choirCHORUS B1 Modified Chorus but with all singersCHORUS A3 Original material againCODA Instrumental Outro

Set Work SummaryComplete Part 2 of Set work Summary

Example Exam QuestionsDescribe the Tonality of Yiri.What makes the music suitable for dancing to?How would this music have been learnt by the performers?What is a Membranophone?What country does this music come from?

Exam Style QuestionsDescribe the Tonality of Yiri. Major (Gb)What makes the music suitable for dancing to? Medium Tempo/Steady Pulse throughoutHow would this music have been learnt by the performers? Oral TraditionWhat is a Membranophone? A DrumWhat country does this music come from? Burkina Faso

Dojo Points for 100%

Remember!!You have a MOCK EXAM (Section A questions only) on Friday 10th May (usual lesson slot)6 - 8 random set works covered (as in the real exam)I will use the results of these Mocks to prepare revision sessions for you

IntervalsExam question: The first four vocal phrases use three different pitches / notes. The pitch of the first note is Gb. What are the pitches of the other two notes?

These exercises plus lots of others available at http://tinyurl.com/cbrf72l

Dojo Points100% and So Close