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Brief History of AfroCuban Music
The origin of AfroCuban
music is a blending of cultures that has taken place over the last
300 years. Slaves that were brought to Cuba in the 18th century from
Nigeria and other African countries brought with them their religious
chants and music which evolved and blended with the Latin and Caribbean cultures
and later American culture to produce several varieties of music.
The most popular form of this music is known as "Salsa".
Salsa developed in New York in the mid 1900's mainly by Puerto
Ricans as a blending of Cuban popular and folkloric music enhanced
by jazz textures. The name literally means "sauce".
By making the rhythms
themselves the focus of the songs, it allows the listener to
"get lost" in the rhythm and really feel it's essence.
The Instruments
| Ashiko:
The
Ashiko drum is played throughout Africa and the Americas. It is played
in Nigeria for recreational purposes. In eastern Cuba it is known as the
Boku and is played during carnivals and street parades. In western Cuba
it is know as Bonko Enchemiya and is the solo drum that forms the basis
of Abakua music.
Our Ashiko's are
seen at the right. They are 30" in height and
9.5" and 11.5" heads. The skin is African Cow
Hide and were built by Joe Platz and we've had them about 10
years.
There are little
rubber feet on the bottom so the percussion has a place to
escape. |
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Clave: The
clave is traditionally played on 2 sticks struck together. It's rhythm
is the
time keeper of AfroCuban music, it is a continuing pattern that
usually plays throughout
the entire song. It is the
"music-to-find-the-beat-by"
| Congas:
The conga drum is a Cuban
instrument said to be derived from the Bantu or Congolese drum called
makuta. It was not until the late 1930's that the conga drum
was integrated into the Latin rhythm section on the bandstand. In
traditional AfroCuban music, conga drums were played one drum per
player. Now two, three or more are the norm. They are played
in varying sizes (diameter of the head), the quinto which is the
smallest, the conga which is the mid-sized, and the tumba which is the
largest.
Our Congas seen on
the right, they are 31" in height, with 10" and
12" heads. The skin is African cow hide and were
built by Joe Platz and we're had them about 9 years. |
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Cowbell: The
cowbell which is held in one hand and struck by a beater with the
other hand also plays a repeating pattern similar to the clave. There
are different
sizes and shapes which produce different pitches. Agogo
bells are 2 bells joined
together one producing a high pitch and the
other a low.
| Djun Djun:
This is a double-headed bass drum used to
embelish the ensemble. It is prominent in the musical
cultures of all of West Africa. This drum gives deep,
rolling bass tones and is usually played in conjunction with a
bell. The bell is tied to the top, sometimes played on the
side, and there is a beater, a short stout stick to hit the
drum.
Our Djun Djun is 28" long with 2
15.5" heads made of African cow hide. Built by Joe
Platz, and we're had the drum about 8 years. |
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| Djimbe:
The Djimbe is a goblet-shaped drum originating
from northern West Africa. It is prominent in the music of Mali,
Guinea, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and other countries of
the region. The Djimbe sound engages players at all levels of
ability and experience and entrances listeners. This drum has
become very popular in all drum circles in the United States.
Our Djimbe is 24" in height with a 12.5" head made
from Goat hide. The drum comes from West Africa and the skin
was stretched by Joe Platz.
We've had our Djimbe about 7 years. |
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