Braiding Rhythms: The Role of Bell Patterns in West African and Afro-Caribbean Music
Designed by: Jonathan Saxon
Summary
These lessons aim to demonstrate
the polyrhythmic element found throughout West African and
Afro-Caribbean music. Students will listen to music from Ghana, Nigeria,
Cuba, and Puerto Rico to learn how this polyrhythmic tradition followed
Africans to the Caribbean as a result of the transatlantic slave trade.
Students will learn the rumba clave pattern, cascara pattern, and a 6/8 bell pattern. All rhythms will be accompanied by a two-step dance pattern.