Study Guides

Unit Summary

This unit introduces pupils to the term syncopation through adding syncopated rhythms to songs. Pupils learn how to feel the offbeats through movement and experience how straight rhythms and syncopated rhythms feel different. Syncopated rhythm patterns form an accompaniment to a range of songs.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to play a syncopated rhythm to accompany a song.

Key Notes

• There are many drums played in West Africa, inclduing the dundunba, sangban, and kenkeni forming the mande drum enemble.
• Kuku is a rhythm from Guinea that can be played on two or more drums.
• We can use rhythm grids to decode syncopated rhythms.
• We can sing to a syncopated accmpaniment.

Vocabulary To Learn

• djembe: a goblet-shaped drum originating from West Africa, played with hands
• Kuku: a rhythm from Guinea, West Africa, that can be played on two or more drums
• syncopation: rhythms that emphasise the beats that are usually weaker
• drum break: a specific phrase played by the lead drummer to signal starting, stopping, or changing a rhythm

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• A commonly misused, generalised term is 'African drumming'.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

More Lessons In This Unit

• Creating and rehearsing a syncopated performance - building a tight ensemble Study Guide
• Singing and playing syncopated rhythms Study Guide
• Syncopated rhythms in jazz Study Guide
• Syncopation performance and reflection Study Guide
• What is syncopation? Study Guide