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Activity 4: Traditional Instruments of West Africa
Activity 4: Traditional Instruments of West Africa
Click below to watch and listen to musicians play instruments from the West African musical tradition. Then in your exercise book/on paper, using the annotated images to help you, complete a sentence describing each instrument (where you see an asterisk * the instrument's name has been omitted).
In your exercise book or on paper, using the annotated images below to help you, complete the following sentences describing each instrument (where you see an asterisk * the instrument's name has been omitted).
membranophones = drums
idiophones = tuned percussion/bells
chordophones = strings
aerophones = wind
electrophones = synthesisers
The * is a single-headed, goblet shaped drum played with the hands to produce 'bass' (low), 'tone' (mid) and 'slap' (high pitched) sounds. Drum ensembles are led by one or more of these, the lead played by the 'master drummer'.
The * is a single-headed, goblet shaped drum played with the hands to produce 'bass' (low), 'tone' (mid) and 'slap' (high pitched) sounds. Drum ensembles are led by one or more of these, the lead played by the 'master drummer'.
From largest to smallest, the *, * and * are double-headed, cylindrical drums, members of the dundun family, each played on its side with a straight stick. One of each size is used, with bell attached, to accompany drum ensembles.
From largest to smallest, the *, * and * are double-headed, cylindrical drums, members of the dundun family, each played on its side with a straight stick. One of each size is used, with bell attached, to accompany drum ensembles.
The *, sometimes called gankogui, may take various shapes, but is often a folded, rounded piece of metal, attached to the dundun family. The musician plays complementary rhythms on the drum and bell to accompany the ensemble.
The *, sometimes called gankogui, may take various shapes, but is often a folded, rounded piece of metal, attached to the dundun family. The musician plays complementary rhythms on the drum and bell to accompany the ensemble.
The * (larger) and * (smaller) are shakers made from dried hollow gourds (similar to a squash/pumpkin) each surrounded by a beaded net. They keep the pulse in drum ensembles.
The * (larger) and * (smaller) are shakers made from dried hollow gourds (similar to a squash/pumpkin) each surrounded by a beaded net. They keep the pulse in drum ensembles.
The * is an hour-glass shaped drum, played with a curved stick, with flexible tension chords held and squeezed/released under the arm to raise/lower the pitch, imitating African tonal (pitch-based) languages.
The * is an hour-glass shaped drum, played with a curved stick, with flexible tension chords held and squeezed/released under the arm to raise/lower the pitch, imitating African tonal (pitch-based) languages.
The * is a tuned percussion instrument made from wooden keys and gourd (pumpkin/squash) resonators, similar to a xylophone, tuned to tetratonic, pentatonic or heptatonic (4, 5 or 7 note) scales.
The * is a tuned percussion instrument made from wooden keys and gourd (pumpkin/squash) resonators, similar to a xylophone, tuned to tetratonic, pentatonic or heptatonic (4, 5 or 7 note) scales.
The * is a plucked string instrument (a type of harp) with 20-30 strings of varying lengths, strung from a wooden neck, across a half-gourd (pumpkin-like) resonator with animal skin cover. The musician faces the strings to play.
The * is a plucked string instrument (a type of harp) with 20-30 strings of varying lengths, strung from a wooden neck, across a half-gourd (pumpkin-like) resonator with animal skin cover. The musician faces the strings to play.
The * is a flute with 3 finger holes and rectangular embouchure (mouthpiece) made from vine and played diagonally. It is diatonic (plays notes within only one key/tonality).
The * is a flute with 3 finger holes and rectangular embouchure (mouthpiece) made from vine and played diagonally. It is diatonic (plays notes within only one key/tonality).
Word bank:
Word bank:
Axatse Balafon Bell (Cowbell) Djembe Dundun Kenkeni Kora Sangban Shekere Talking Drum Tambin
Axatse Balafon Bell (Cowbell) Djembe Dundun Kenkeni Kora Sangban Shekere Talking Drum Tambin
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