Transcript Session 1
An introduction to Session 1 Learning Objectives By the end of this unit you should learn: • To identify instruments, structures and textures in a piece of percussion ensemble music; • To perform as part of a group in a whole class performance; • About the musical conventions used in LatinAmerican music; • How rhythmic patterns can be built over a pulse; • About the use of different timbres; • About call and response; Introducing Samba • In Brazil's musical history Samba plays an enormous part. It is what has become known as carnival music from Brazil that features a large percussion ensemble called a Bateria. • It is music to dance to and has its own characteristic rhythms that distinguish it from other Latin American music. • The music originates in Rio de Janiero and is a mixture of Portuguese/Spanish/African/Cuban cultures. • There are many different types of Samba incorporating many different styles and influences - two of the most common forms are Samba Reggae and Samba Batucada, both of which use the same instrumentation Surdo A bass drum used to mark the beat of samba music. They keep a steady beat and alternate between higher and lower pitches. A smaller surdo often plays an important role within the ensemble. Caixa • A drum very similar to the repinique but with springs on the bottom to create vibration much like a snare drum. Tamborim • This is a small-headed drum that is tuned very high and struck very quick and sharp with a flexible stick. The player is able to press and tighten the skin or dampen the sound whilst playing and plays more complicated rhythms than the surdo or chocolo. Repinique • A small drum similar to the snare drum but taller that is usually played with one stick and the bare hand. It has a more metallic sound than the snare drum and can be used to play solo cues such as call and response patterns. Chocolo • A shaker made of either many small cymbal like metal pieces or a large metal cans filled with rocks, sand or other material. It plays even notes throughout. Reco-reco • This is a scraper which plays the same time values as the chocolo. Agogo • A cowbell sounding instrument with two bells that is struck by a wooden stick used in samba music. The bells can also produce a sound by squeezing them so that they strike each other. Like the tambourim the ago-go plays more complicated rhythms than the surdo or chocolo. Warm-ups • Divide into 2 groups either side of the classroom • Look at me marching! 1. Clap in time with the beat. 2. Group 1 clap with my left foot and group 2 with my right foot. This will help you get used to playing in time to a constant beat. The clave rhythm Group 1 • Keep going on the clave rhythm; Group 2 • Return to clapping on the beat again; – Try swapping parts without losing the beat! This should give you a simple polyrhythm. Body percussion 1 • Group 1 • Thighs, Stomach, Clicking fingers and clapping over 4 beats: • Group 2 • Right Thigh • Left Thigh • Right Hand on Stomach • Left Hand on Stomach • Right Finger Click • Left Finger Click • Clap (crotchet) Body percussion 2 • • • • • • • • Group 1 Right Thigh Left Thigh Right Hand on Stomach Left Hand on Stomach Right Finger Click Left Finger Click Clap (crotchet) • (repeat at least 4 times) • • • • • • Group 2 Right Thigh Left Thigh Right Finger Click Left Fingeer Click Clap (crotchet). (repeat at least 4 times)