Mbira
Shekere
Rhythmic vs. Melodic
A Cappella
African Vocal Music
Rhythm
100
What is the BODY (the main part) of the mbira made from?
Hollow wood
100
What is the BODY (the main part) of the shekere made from?
A hollow gourd
100
Ms. Byrnes is a sigma clarinet player. Is the clarinet a rhythmic or melodic instrument?
Melodic
100
What musical element MUST be present in a cappella?
Singing
100
Based on this unit, what can you tell us about the gender of African singers?
You are more likely to hear male voices.
100
What are the names of each of the rhythms below?
#1 = 8th Note
#2 = Quarter Note
#3 = Quarter Rest
200
What is the difference in sound between the longer scraps of metal and the shorter scraps of metal on the mbira?
Longer = Lower
Shorter = Higher
200
1. What is the WEBBING of the shekere made from?
2. What is threaded onto the webbing? This is the material that actually produces the sound on the instrument when played.
1. String
2. Shells / Beads
200
Fill in the blanks:
Rhythmic instruments can only play __________, while melodic instruments can play _________ AND __________.
Rhythmic instruments can only play RHYTHMS, while melodic instruments can play RHYTHMS and MELODIES.
200
Identify an instrument that would be OK to play in the background of an a cappella song.
Answers vary but could include instruments like the tubano, gankogui, shekere, triangle, body percussion, etc.
200
What is call and response?
A musical conversation between a leader and a group.
200
For each rhythm below identify the number of beats the rhythm lasts for AND how many sounds it makes.
#1 = 1 beat, 2 sounds
#2 = 1 beat, 1 sound
#3 = 1 beat, 0 sounds
300
How do you play the mbira?
Pluck the scraps of metal with your thumbs/fingers
300
How do we play the shekere in this class?
Tap it against your hand or leg
300
Identify 3 examples of rhythmic instruments.
Answers vary but could include instruments like the tubano, snare drum, triangle, cymbals, claves, wood block, etc.
300
Identify an instrument that would NOT BE OK to play in the background of an a cappella song.
Answers vary but could include instruments like the mbira, xylophone, bass guitar, recorder, etc.
300
What is a cappella?
Singing with no instruments in the background OR singing with rhythmic instruments in the background.
300
What do the top AND bottom numbers of a time signature tell musicians?
Top = How many beats will be in each measure
Bottom = Which rhythm keeps the steady beat
400
Categorize the mbira using the choices below:
1. Instrument Family -- Brass, Percussion, String, Woodwind
2. "Phone" -- Aerophone, Chordophone, Electrophone, Idiophone, Membranophone
3. African Percussion Instruments -- Bell, Drum, Rattle
4. Rhythmic vs. Melodic
1. Percussion
2. Idiophone
3. Bell
4. Melodic
400
Categorize the shekere using the choices below:
1. Instrument Family -- Brass, Percussion, String, Woodwind
2. "Phone" -- Aerophone, Chordophone, Electrophone, Idiophone, Membranophone
3. African Percussion Instruments -- Bell, Drum, Rattle
4. Rhythmic vs. Melodic
1. Percussion
2. Idiophone
3. Rattle
4. Rhythmic
400
Identify 4 examples of melodic instruments.
Answers vary, but could include instruments like the clarinet, trombone, violin, acoustic guitar, xylophone, piano, etc.
400
Explain why BODY PERCUSSION is acceptable to hear in the background of an a cappella song.
Body Percussion is considered a rhythmic instrument because sounds like claps/taps/pats/snaps/etc. are rhythms, not melodies.
400
If you are hearing call and response, what two other musical elements are you hearing?
Solo (Call) + Chorus (Response)
400
What do each of the symbols below tell musicians?
#1 = A measure is over and a new measure is starting
#2 = Stop; a song is over
#3 = Go back and play a section of music again
500
What are the nicknames of the instruments below?
#1 = Master/Lead Drum
#2 = Double Bell
#3 = Talking Drum
#4 = Thumb Piano
500
Using at least one of our Vocabulary words from this unit, explain why it is impossible to play the rhythm below on the shekere.
The shekere is a RHYTHMIC instrument, which means that it can only play rhythms. This rhythm has two pitches (high and low), which the shekere is not capable of playing; it can only play 1 sound.
500
Explain why even though the ODONO can make many sounds why it is considered a RHYTHMIC instrument.
Answer: Yes, the odono can make many sounds. But. It is not capable of consistently playing pitches. It can really only play rhythms, but NOT melodies. This means it is rhythmic.
500
What is harmony?
When multiple people sing at the same time and sing different pitches.
500
Identify 3 musical elements you are likely to hear in an African song with singing in it.
Answers vary but could include: male singers, call & response, a cappella, harmony, solo + chorus
500
It's time for a SPELLING BEE! Choose your team's best speller and then Buzzonk In!
100 Points -- Rhythm
100 Points -- A Cappella
100 Points -- Harmony
100 Points -- Chorus
100 Points -- Shekere