If African Drumming comes up in your exam you might get asked to list typical features of this style of music  If you get this question, the following features are ideal answers.  

TOP TIP: you will not have to explain these features in your exam.  Single worded answers are fine for this type of question.

TOP TIP: if you are asked to list features of a style of music, there is usually a maximum of two marks for just identifying instruments.  It wont say this on the exam paper but it usually says it in the mark scheme, so you need to list musical features not just instrument names.

Polyrhythm

African Drumming consists of lots of different rhythms being performed at the same time.  This is called a Polyrhythm (poly = many).  Quite often, these individual rhythms do no sound complicated but when they are performed together, the music sounds very hectic with lots happening all at the same time.

Click here to hear an example of how rhythms come together to form a Polyrhythm.  The link will take you to an external website. At the bottom of the page there is an interactive drum machine.  Press play to hear multiple rhythms played at the same time.  You can mute and unmute individual parts to hear individual rhythms and the role they play within the Polyrhythm.

TOP TIP: If you are asked about the Texture of African Drumming, you should comment on it being Polyrhythmic.

Call and Response

African Drumming performances are often broken up with sections of Call and Response.  The leader of the ensemble will play a rhythm (the call) and the ensemble will respond by either copying the same rhythm or playing a different rhythm.  This is normally lead by the Master Drummer.

Cyclic Patterns

This means the same rhythms are repeated over and over.

Master Drummer

The Master Drummer is a virtuosic performer who leads the performance.  It is their responsibility to control the performance.  They will lead call and response, play a core rhythm at the centre of the performance and improvise solo sections. 

There are LOTS of different percussion instruments used in African Drumming.  It is perfectly acceptable to write things like rattles and shakers as an answer if you are asked to identify instruments used in an extract of African Drumming.  However, you should try to name the key instruments listed below.

Djembe

The Djembe is goblet shaped drum, open at one end with a drum head on the other.  It is played by striking the drum hand with your hand and it coomes in a variety of different shapes and sizes.  It is perhaps the most common drum used in African Drumming.  Click here to see and hear a Djembe drum being played.

Dunun (or Dundun)

The Dunun is a large, double headed drum (that means there is a drum head on both ends) and it is played with a stick.  Sometimes it can be worn by the performer using a should strap.  Sometimes a performer will use two different drums stood up in front of them.  It is not uncommon for a bell-like instrument to be mounted to the Dunun, allowing the performer to produce different sounds.  Click here to see and hear a Dunun drum being played.

Agogo Bell

There will usually be a range of different bell like instruments and rattles used to cut through the sound of the drums.  These are commonly used to play a basic melody.  One example is the Agogo Bell.  It is a similar instrument to a Cow Bell, but it has two seperate bells (one low pitch and one low pitch).  So technically, it is like two different cow bells stuck together!  Click here to see and hear an Agogo Bell being played.

Talking Drum

This instrument is used by the Master Drummer only.  It is a small single headed drum with ropes all around it.  The Master Drummer will hold the drum under his arm and strike the drum with a curved stick.  If the Master Drummer squeezes his arm and puts pressure on the ropes around the drum, the ropes pull the drummer head tighter, which produces a higher pitch.  When he releases the pressure with his arm the drum will then produce a lower pitch.  This is why it is called the talking drum - a skilled performer will be able to produce many different sounds and tones.  Click here to see and hear example of a Talking Drum being played.

Vocals

It is not uncommon for African Drumming to contain singing.  Singing in African Drumming is quite often performed using call and response with the percussion instruments.

You can listen to more examples of African Drumming by pressing play on the YouTube videos.  Can you hear any of the features listed above?