African Music 1 - Introduction/Wimmoweh

Lesson 1 of African Music KS3 scheme of work (or standalone lesson)

N.B. This is designed as a modular scheme of work with self-contained lessons linked by recurring themes. It works well in a short half of term and/or one interrupted by trips, exams, etc. Lessons 3 and 4 work best when taught consecutively.
Objectives
• Performing: to sing traditional African songs and to play African percussion
• Composing: to create a layered, syncopated rhythmic ostinato within a group performance
• Listening: to learn about, and to recognise, African musical styles and instruments
Lesson overview
• Lesson 1: Wimmoweh
• Lesson 2: African instruments
• Lesson 3: African rhythms
• Lesson 4: Group composition
• Lesson 5: Singing African Songs
• Lesson 6: Listening to African Music
• Research assignment (cover lesson/homework – no listening required)
Vocabulary
• African instruments:
o CABASA large gourd with a handle covered with a network of stringed beads
o KORA a harp with 21 strings, resounding in half a large gourd, covered with skin
o TALKING DRUM A drum with two heads which are kept taut by strings
o MARIMBA A set of wooden bars arranged in a row over a set of resonating gourds
o DJEMBE A large single-headed drum
o THUMB-PIANO A wooden board with thin metal strips attached to it
• Polyrhythm and cross rhythm
• Call-and-response
• Ostinato
• Layering
• A capella
• Close and parallel harmony
Assessment
• Performing: singing an African song (Lesson 5)
• Composing: creating a rhythmic ostinato as part of a group composition/performance (Lessons 3 and 4)
• Listening: ‘Listening to African Music’ (Lesson 6)