Study Guides

Unit Summary

Pupils are introduced to drumming from the regions of West Africa, performing as an ensemble and developing their understanding of djembe technique, the structure and musical conventions of the music, how rhythm and tempo are used to create excitement and the culture connected with the music.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain the context of the Kuku rhythm and can replicate the different parts using untuned percussion.

Key Notes

• The Kuku rhythm is performed to celebrate the return of the women from fishing expeditions.
• Kuku has many variations in performance but it is based around two djembe parts and three dundun parts.
• The parts are highly syncopated and, when played together, create exciting polyrhythms.
• Grid notation can be used to help understand how the syncopated rhythms are counted.
• Performing a Kuku rhythm with syncopation.

Vocabulary To Learn

• kuku: a dance song, celebrating the return of the women from fishing expeditions
• syncopation: a rhythm that emphasises (accents) notes in between the main beats, sometimes referred to as 'off-beat'
• kenkeni: the highest pitch dundun; this often keeps the pulse by playing on the beat
• sangban: the middle pitch dundun; this plays more complex rhythms
• dundunba: the lowest pitch dundun; this plays a more traditional bass drum role, accenting the strong beats

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• The rhythm is the definitive version of the Kuku rhythm.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

More Lessons In This Unit

• Composing in a Kuku or Warabadon style Study Guide
• Context and technique in West African drumming Study Guide
• Kuku - structure and solo parts Study Guide
• Warabadon - djembe and dundun parts Study Guide
• Warabadon - structure and solo parts Study Guide