Name of Workshop: Intro to West African Drumming

Total Hours: 3

Workshop Description: This introductory workshop delivers an applied, hands-on approach to African drumming techniques relevant in traditional and contemporary drumming styles in West Africa. The students will learn to perform diverse ceremonial and recreational music and key

Name of Workshop: Intro to West African Drumming

Total Hours: 3

Workshop Description: This introductory workshop delivers an applied, hands-on approach to African drumming techniques relevant in traditional and contemporary drumming styles in West Africa. The students will learn to perform diverse ceremonial and recreational music and key fundamental elements in West African rhythm, melody, form and structure. Students will experience traditional African oral learning methods, listening exercises and music analysis through rehearsals, discussions, readings and listening. Students will also become familiar with the construction and basic maintenance of African drums. The purpose of this course is to explore West African culture through drumming and music performance. This workshop offers practical hands-on instruction in selected drumming repertory from the countries Ghana, Togo, and Benin, West Africa. Students will be expected to learn hand and stick drumming techniques using a variety of African percussion instruments. Students will also learn to sing songs related to specific drumming traditions and understand integral dance styles related to the drumming. No history of drumming prerequisite required.

Workshop Learning Outcomes:

Success completion on this workshop will enable the student to:

• Illustrate African drumming through performance.
• Develop a greater understanding of West African culture, history and music.
• Discuss and assemble musical forms and theory used in West African drumming. Example: call and response patterns, multi--layered part performance, compositional form and structure.
• Identify and describe key African languages, traditions and relationships between spoken language and drumming.
• Distinguish between various historical and social practices associated with performance in African drumming traditions.
• Discuss the construction and maintenance of a variety of West African drums.
• Develop an appreciation for teamwork and community spirit inherent in the West African performance practice.