African Druming |
 Our workshop started at around 9 o’clock. Eddy brought all the Drums that would be needed. He brought Jamy Drums, Congo Drums, and Bass Drums. Eddy also brought instruments that are used in African Music such as the “Shakers” and the Cow Bell. Before we started learning the different beats and rhythms Eddy introduced us to the different drums and told us what they are used for and the roll they play in different songs e.g. the bass drums give the beat bottom beat or rhythm that the other drums are to play to. After some practicing and some experimenting with the different instruments, we were ready to start on our first piece of music. This was called “Jolie”, it is a welcoming piece played at ceremonies where a person is being welcomed into a community. We played this piece because we were being welcomed to the music and rhythm of Africa. It took us about an hour to perfect the piece and then we moved on to the next piece. This was a little more difficult because the timing changed in the middle of the song but the beat of the Cow Bell and the “Shakers” stayed the same. This piece was a Goodbye piece and was played when someone was leaving or at a time of change. We played this piece for the 6th years because the would soon be leaving the school and moving on to something very different i.e. it is a time of change for them. We continued perfecting both pieces until after Lunch when we assembled on the stage of Clonaslee Community Center where we played both pieces in front of the entire school. This was a great success and everybody enjoyed it. 
“Its not easy to learn how to play an instrument in only one day but Transition Years have not only accomplished learning how to play the African Drums but can now perform in front of the whole school and play two pieces of African Music for you on the African Drums!!” Mr. Fran Bates 26/03/2002  |
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