African Music

Maurya Fox, BTSALP Specialist, is a music teacher extraordinaire. She teaches before and after school programs, conducts and accompanies 60 participants in the “Soaring Singers” chorus, and directs a musical theater group that has 55 participants. But the “real magic” happens when you walk through the doors of her classroom at Riverside Elementary School in Jordan School District.  

Her classroom is filled with instruments, artifacts and treasures from countries all over the world.  

Ms. Fox uses African instruments to teach sixth grade students about the culture and music of African nations. 

Agogo Bells – Nigeria, Ghana

Background:  The agogô may be the oldest samba instrument  based on West African Yoruba single or double bells. The agogô has the highest pitch of any of the bateria instruments. It is used in the ceremonial music of religions in Yorubaland as well as in their new world practice, which is based on beliefs such as Candomblé brought by slaves from Africa. Forged from iron, they feature a larger a low-pitched barrel (the parent bell) and a smaller high-pitched barrel (the child bell), said to rest on the bosom of the protective parent.

Also known as Yoruba Priest’s Bell, Yoruba Gong, Gangokui Double Bell, kpanlogo (Ghana) and Cha Cha Bell 

Videos:   

• Simple:  https://youtu.be/ZBIGWomw9vg
• Duet:  https://youtu.be/rc_MAMM0wXA
• Group Ensemble:  https://youtu.be/cMzKEmqFIBw
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Bottle Cap Instruments – North Africa

Background: Bottle cap instruments come in many shape and sizes. They are found in many forms of music. Turkish, Greek and Italian folk music. Also classical, Persian, samba, gospel, and rock music.

Videos:

• Bottle cap rattle: https://youtu.be/6ifW7ZqQey8 
• African Circular Rattle: https://youtu.be/unbjoirZ3Q0

The African instruments were played by students focusing on rhythm –  whole notes, half notes, quarter notes and eighth notes.