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Form

Now that you have learned about RHYTHMS, CYCLIC RHYTHMS, POLYRHYTHMS,
SYNCOPATION and CALL AND RESPONSE as features used in African music, its time
to compose your own African-inspired piece of music using these features.
1. Begin by composing your own RHYTHM. You can use some of the names of African
countries, from the map below, to help you. Try to include some SYNCOPATION and
write your rhythm in the rhythm grid below.

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2. Next, think about which INSTRUMENT you are going to perform your African rhythm on.
If youre performing it on an African drum, such as a DJEMBE, try to use BASS (B), TONE
(T) and SLAP (S) strokes to vary the sound adding the letters, B, T and S to your rhythm
grid below. If youre using a PITCHED instrument such as a xylophone to imitate the
African BALAFON, work out which note names or PITCHES youll use and write these on
the rhythm grid below.
My rhythm is being performed on

3. Practice repeating this rhythm over and over turning it into a CYCLIC
RHYTHM. Tick the box when you have completed this.
I have created my own rhythm, decided on which instrument
to perform this and can repeat it as a CYCLIC RHYTHM.
4. Now, form a group of between 5 and 6 people. Share each others rhythms by writing
them on the rhythm grid below, together with the instrument they are using.

5. Create a POLYRHYTHMIC texture by deciding who will start performing their CYCLIC
rhythm first and who will come in next and in what order. Also think about HOW MANY
TIMES each person is going to perform their rhythms. Add the numbers 1-6 against each
row in the table above to help remind you on the order of the rhythms. Now, practice with
each group member performing their rhythm at the correct time. Tick the box when your
group have completed this.
We have decided upon an order in which to perform each members CYCLIC
RHYTHMS and have rehearsed this creating a POLYRHYTHMIC texture.
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6. Now its time to add some CALL AND RESPONSE to your African-inspired piece.
Decide on who will be the MASTER DRUMMER and create a CALL writing your rhythm in
the box below, using words if this helps you remember it.

Next, create a RESPONSE which is performed by all the other members of the group and
write this in the rhythm box below.

You could also take it in turns being the MASTER DRUMMER performing the CALL and
allowing each group member to IMPROVISE a response which will be different each time.
Tick the box when you have completed your call and response section.
We have created a CALL AND RESPONSE pattern and can perform this
together as a group.
7. Putting your African piece together
Now that you each have a RHYTHM, can perform these as a POLYRHYTHM and have a
CALL AND RESPONSE section. You need to put your piece together. Use the box
below to work out a STRUCTURE to your piece. Work out an INTRODUCTION and
ENDING and decide when and how many times you will use your POLYRHYTHM and
CALL AND RESPONSE sections. Also think about how you will move or change from
section to section? Will you have a cue or signal? Use a different sound from an
instrument or use vocal signals and shouts?

Finally, think about a name or title for your piece

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