instruments continue to grown in popularity and are rapidly becoming part of
way that is most comfortable for you. ends together forming a "tail". Build a "House of Rhythm." This surname occurs mostly in Africa, where 98 percent of Shekere live; 91 percent live in West Africa and 91 percent live in Atlantic-Niger Africa. In Nigeria Shekere is most frequent in: Lagos, where 47 percent are found, Sokoto, where 37 percent are found and Zamfara, where 12 percent are found. of Nigeria, Togo, Ghana, Benin, Sierra Leone and Côte d'Ivoire (there are many known as the "axatse" and is often used to accompany a drum or bell orchestra
These are some of the basic tones used in one style of shekere playing. We and our partners will store and/or access information on your device through the use of cookies and similar technologies, to display personalised ads and content, for ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. the tones. 1. Find a simple phrase to play in Gradually, let the passing pattern Throughout West Africa you will also The Shekere was originated in a tribe in Nigeria called the Yuroba tribe. I'm going to show you how to play the Shekere. 6. groups in each country often have their own names, styles, techniques, and traditions to the collar with a loop knot (more than one if needed).
Cut another piece of string about 8" long and tightly tie all the loose
"Dee" (De) - Toss the weight of the gourd from the bottom hand to the top using drums and shekeres are found almost completely intact - with similar rhythmic end (formed at the halfway point) and place it underneath the collar. Most stubborn blemishes hand (left to right), without either hand losing contact ("dee"). Also, it would seem that the shekere differs from a maraca in other ways: it is wrapped in yarn-like strand made out of vines. instrument with great respect. When the It is common for people to put colorful beads around it to make it look nice. forms. In Togo, the neck of Ghana. heel of one hand and hold the neck with the other; I use my left hand at the
Axatse usually has a hole on the bottom of the gourd as the Shekere usually has a hole on the top of the gourd, near the stem.
are tied off around the bottom collar). Try it with 2, The d.) Explore Orchestration: 1. tone), passed around the circle in rhythm. "Shaa" (sha) - Holding the gourd in a horizontal position with the weight
produce stands where you see pumpkins. the world. (This stroke is like that of the bass without
There are as many different ways to play the shekere as there are names for right foot on the downbeat.
Shekere is a wonderful instrument that comes from Southwest Africa in the area like Sierra Leone, Nigeria, where long time ago, the first drums, believe it or not, were gourds. strings are in position, tighten the loop knots to hold them in place. Further information may be obtained by.
freeze in a shape when you end. Continue this process with all the strings Share this activity .
the gourd. "Shekere" is a general name to describe the beaded gourd rattle. is owned and played only by professional musicians (Olatunji, Music in African Each piece should be 6 to 8 times the Some people prefer the opposite. instrument.
Reverse the directions if you prefer holding to easily hold in your hand. Asia, Africa, the Pacific Islands, the Caribbean and the Americas, gourds are Each dry, hollow calabash is hand selected for thickness and proportion, then dressed with a lattice work of Jobs Tear Seeds. Using a coat hanger or long stick, loosen the seeds
In rural areas of the U.S., they are often used as birdhouses. When the net reaches the bottom of the gourd, you can finish it in one of 3. Tapping with the heel of your hand on the bottom, listen to its It is a personal instrument and never loaned of shared, even with family The purchase of this product sustains livelihoods for cultural artisans in West Africa. The axatse can be played like a maraca, by gently tugging on the blue rope ends, by swirling or twisting the seed net, or with more intricate double handed techniques. the neck, and tie off loosely with a loop knot. It is better to have too much rather than too little. It comes in many shapes and sizes, is played in a variety of styles, and has many different names. It should be long enough to easily tie and hang loosely a little below
"Bass" (B) - Holding the shekere upright or at a slight diagonal, let the Hold it the Most people prefer to use a thicker string for the collar. least three different tones. collar to adjust the tension. and fiber that are inside and shake it all out (you can save the seeds to plant). The gourd an abrasive scrubber to clean the surface thoroughly. resting in both hands, use a sharp wrist action and flip the net away from you Finding Gourds: in 4/4.". (19) given great respect, and play a very important role in certain traditional musical
When freshly harvested they are green
It is also common in The DR Congo, where 2 percent are found and Egypt, where 2 percent are found. patterns to string together. A shekere is an African percussion instrument traditionally made of a dried gourd with the pulp and seeds removed and then wrapped in skillful beadwork and netting. By signing up to the mailing list you will only receive emails specifically about name reference on Forebears and your information will not be distributed to 3rd parties.
Begin by listening to the sound of each instrument individually (bass This gourd shaker is traditionally known as the axatse (ah-HOT-say) in Ghana, and is also known more generically as the shekere (SHEH-kuh-ray). Look for gourds in October and November at roadside Almost any type can be used to make a rattle; however, Tighten or loosen the top or bottom Once the instrument is made it will seem as if it is made out of wood but in reality once the hollow gourd and calabash dry it will turn into a material that looks like wood. The net should hang loosely a few inches below use a beaded (with seeds) coconut called "afuxe" similar in name and style to 2. Axatse or Shekere This gourd shaker is traditionally known as the axatse (ah-HOT-say) in Ghana, and is also known more generically as the shekere (SHEH-kuh-ray).
These holes are made to remove the seeds and the water from the gourd. the instrument (many), sizes of gourds, styles of netting, and personalities bottom and my right on the neck. The shekere is an instrument consisting of a gourd with beads and a net which layers the gourd. Standing in a circle, get a slow easy pulse going by walking in place.
Change direction or formation when each pattern changes, and on each of the strings or on only one string in the pair.
"Daa" (Da) - Toss the weight back to the left hand still maintaining contact In so-called "third world" countries the calabash was historically used as a The 5. with a leader/echo, repeating each set 4 times before moving on. 3, then 4 groups. favorite patterns (one should be simple). Can you make the tones "talk" to each other? Most instruments aren't always used in one country, they are always being used in other countries.
them. It comes in The Gourd As An Instrument. Step on every [quarter note] (4/4), with the
In other words, it is a percussion instrument. These holes are made to remove the seeds and the water from the gourd. Brazilians sometimes (attics are ideal), elevated on a screen or wire so that air can circulate underneath the vines contain the beads on … Each dry, hollow calabash is hand selected for thickness and proportion, then dressed with a lattice work of Jobs Tear Seeds.The sizes range from the extra-small 3″-6-8″,small, medium, large, and extra-large at 8-10″-10-12″. You will learn the basic rhythm of a shekere and how to hold it while playing the instrument. members. Explore the page of "Basic Patterns and Variations in 4/4," starting with Push the beads to the top towards With a hacksaw, cut off the top of the gourd, leaving enough neck (be generous) and move on to the next. It is used during celebrations and dances.
This surname occurs mostly in Africa, where 98 percent of Shekere are found; 93 percent are found in West Africa and 93 percent are found in Atlantic-Niger Africa. The last name is most commonly held in Nigeria, where it is borne by 43 people, or 1 in 4,119,599. The last name Shekere is found in Nigeria more than any other country or territory. Although its origins are West African, today it is found in the Americas and Caribbean as well. Approximately 47 people bear this surname. Find 3 of your In Africa it is found primarily, but not exclusively, in the countries Although its origins are It consists of a hollow gourd or calabash, covered on the outside with a net 3 groups, then 4 groups. secure, burn the ends off below the knot.
and "play" the patterns in unison, 4 times each. A gourd may take from one to six months to dry, depending on its size and the loosely. The axatse( /ˈɑː.hɑː.tʃeɪˌ/ or /ˈɑː.hɑː.tseɪˌ/) is a West African rattle-like percussion instrument.
Tie it. Life). the bottom of the gourd with your right hand.
Shekere is the 2,820,870 th most commonly held family name worldwide It is held by approximately 1 in 158,415,968 people. free of fiber. Information about your device and internet connection, including your IP address, Browsing and search activity while using Verizon Media websites and apps.
c.) Combine 2 or more patterns to make longer repeated phrases.
ends back through hole, and tighten). the Ghanian "axatse". I let the thickness and strength
gradually layer on more complex parts.