African Drumming

• What area of Africa is covered in this study?

  Sub-Saharan Africa
• What is the purpose of drumming in Sub-Saharan Africa?

  Used in celebrations and rituals
• How is music traditionally learned in this area?

  Learned directly from one person to another
• What shape is a djembe drum?

  Goblet-shaped
• What is the first type of drum mentioned?

  Djembe
• Who traditionally plays the djembe?

  Men
• What is the second type of drum mentioned?

  Dunun
• How is the dunun drum played?

  Played with a stick
• What is often attached to the dunun drum?

  A bell
• What is the third type of drum mentioned?

  Talking drum
• How does the talking drum control pitch?

  By squeezing the strings with the arm
• Who typically plays the talking drum?

  The master drummer
• What role does the master drummer have?

  Controls structure and layers of sound
• What are some other instruments used in African drumming?

  Agogo, double-headed cowbell, shaker
• What is a shaker in African music?

  A gourd with beads or shells attached
• What does "Pali rhythms" mean?

  Many rhythms played at the same time
• What is a common feature of melodies in African music?

  Short melodies with a small range
• What is "call and response" in music?

  A musical interaction between singer and audience
• What is "cross rhythm"?

  Different rhythms played together feeling distinct
• What is an example of a cross rhythm?

  Threes against twos
• What is a characteristic of rhythm patterns in African music?

  They are usually cyclic
• What do cyclic patterns consist of?

  Short repeated sections