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Class Descriptions

A Word About the Shekere:
The Shekere, as it is called in Nigeria, is a beaded gourd rattle.  This percussion instrument can be found, in all of its forms, in use as an accompanying instrument in parts of Africa, the Caribbean, South America and Hawaii.  It is called AXATSE in Ghana and an IPU in Hawaii.  Through classes and performances by Ahmondylla Best, this Nigerian technique of Shekere playing has been taken from the background and brought onto center stage as a solo instrument.

MULTI - SESSION CLASSES

number of sessions: 8
class length: 90 mins.

Shekere Design and Construction:
You will develop and demonstrate manual dexterity by preparing and stringing your own gourd, enhance hand-eye coordination and the ability to express your visual aesthetic sense of design and color by decorating your own shekere.

Shekere Rhythms & Playing Techniques:
Each session will include warm up exercises, Shekere playing techniques, rhythms (traditional and modern), development of discipline, skill and patience required for rehearsal and performance, constructive criticism for the purpose of encouragement and edification. This class encourages experimentation in techniques involving improvisation, co-ordination of playing and moving, the exploration of time movement and space, development of language and literacy as it pertains to the instrument and its techniques and identification and classification of each percussion part and how it blends with the whole to create an orchestra resulting in a symphony of rhythms.

Shekere Design, Construction & Beginning Playing Techniques:
You will develop and demonstrate manual dexterity by preparing and stringing your own gourd, enhanced hand-eye coordination and the ability to express your visual aesthetic sense of design and color by decorating your own shekere.  This class includes student critique, discipline involved in-group performing, experimentation in techniques involving improvisation, co-ordination of playing and moving, rehearsal and performance.

ONE SESSION WORKSHOPS (Held ONLY ONCE per season)

class length: 2HRS.

Introduction to Alternative Vocal Techniques Workshop:
Glottal Breathing: Create percussive vocal rhythms with the breath. You will also learn the yodeling techniques and melodies of the Ba-Benzélé Nation of Central Africa.

Flute Workshop:
Tap in to the energies of life's essence: BREATH.  Breath control techniques will become your allies of support as you express your personal story through your open holed flute. These techniques can be applied to wooden, reed, bamboo, metal or clay flutes. A student flute will be provided or bring your own.

- All levels welcome -