What will you do?
Compose your own drumming pattern
Performing suggestions
African songs
- ‘Banuwa’
- ‘Kye kye kule’
- ‘Soualle’
Performing suggestions
1 | e | + | a | 2 | e | + | a | 3 | e | + | a | 4 | e | + | a |
gr | go | do | go | do | go | do | go | do |
CAll - Instruments
CAll - Mnemonics
- gr Open tone with both hands
- go Open tone with left hand
- do Open tone with right hand
Try to perform using instruments or body percussion.
All performances begin with a call (signal / break) by the master drummer.
The use of mnemonics is a particular feature of African drumming.
Use the following mnemonic sounds. Memorise each part and then perform.
LNF 7.OS5 / 7.OL1

- How challenging was it to perform the rhythm?
- Why do you think this?
- Did the mnemonics help you to internalise the rhythm? Explain your answer.
Performance Track | Rehearsal Track | Mnemonics | 1 | e | + | a | 2 | e | + | a | 3 | e | + | a | 4 | e | + | a | |
Djembé 1 | gn | ta | gn | ta | gn | ta | gn | ta | |||||||||||
Djembé 2 | go | do | ta | pa | gn | go | do | ta | pa | gn | |||||||||
Djembé 3 | pa | ta | ta | pa | go | do | pa | ta | ta | pa | go | do | |||||||
Dundun and bell | ti | ti | ti | ti | ti | ti |
Full track instrumental
Full track mnemonics
Mnemonics key
Download
Following the call, all parts will play the Akonkon polyrhythm.
Use the following mnemonic sounds. Memorise each part and then perform.
When you are familiar with the part, perform it in a cyclic pattern.
Mnemonics key
- gr Open tone with both hands
- go Open tone with left hand
- do Open tone with right hand
- gn Bass tone with left hand
- ta Slap tone with right hand
- pa Slap tone with left hand
- ti Open tone and strike the bell
LNF
7.OS5 /
7.OL1

- Was it easy or difficult to perform each rhythm?
- Which rhythm was the most difficult to perform? Explain your reason.
- Were the mnemonics useful in helping you to internalise each rhythm? Explain your answer.