From the work of Bobby McFerrin and his vocal orchestra – Voicestra http://www.bobbymcferrin.com
and Rhiannon http://www.RhiannonMusic.com

Circle Song

One person gives out repeating parts to the groups.

Find parts by first singing what’s inside, then refining to find a motor part. Harmony is good. Look for spaces in the motor part to interlock new parts.

Find parts by first solo-ing over what is already created.
Play with rhythm – try putting 3 over 4 or try something in an odd rhythm like 5/4, 7/8, 9/8
Play with tonality – use some unusual harmonies, try notes that may not be the “first choices”
Play with language – try using some sounds you don’t always use; experiment with different consonants; imagine you’re speaking a language you don’t know but have a sound in your ear eg. french, russian, italian, etc.

The person giving out the parts can then solo over the foundation they have created.

Solo-ist can then step out and let another person solo and/or create new parts…

Igbo, Nigeria

Learned from Okorefe Onovwerosuoke aka Fred O.

www.AfricanChorus.org

MUNA GI GEBYO

Mmm Mmm Muna gi gebyo

You and I have to do this thing together!

Ada mma – my angel

Nwanna – my brother

Nwanne – my sister

NOTE: Translation can have many meanings and layers! Don’t fall into literal translation.

eg. In the Robo language of Ghana, the expression “may coconuts fall on your head” in its cultural context can mean “may you have good fortune”

eg. If the words say “left and right,” in its cultural context it could mean “from everywhere”

by Terry Garthwaite
on Terry’s new CD “Shine On”
www.TerryGarthwaite.com

PIPPINIPITY

When you get the rhythm, you palpitate the beat
You get the boogie in your body, now you turn up the heat
Ca chinka chinka
Drink the chai, feel the tingle in your feet
Ca chinka
Think to sink the chi, get completely upbeat

Terry Garthwaite, Becky Reardon, Elise Witt live @ French Garden in Sebastopol CA

Rachel Schlafer Parton created this Body Percussion for Terry Garthwaite’s song “Pippinipity”

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipOftH0fVxE-KtFSeEsZUfpL0jZAIDAcdvANft2OaZQEECgHdck1Lhhh6kyGKveY7Q/photo/AF1QipPdE7bSxPCY1FD7vdak73teFf-p9EcYhFiRv21Q?key=RmJmTDc4c3ZndWV4TG43a0h6ZHFZcU1iay1KczZn

by Becky Reardon

Part 1 lyrics by Pete Seeger

www.BeckyReardonMusic.com

Recorded on the CD “Here”

TAKE HEART, TAKE PART

Part 1

Participation is gonna save the human race, save us, save us

Participation is gonna save the human race, save us, save us

Part 2

Something you know how to do can save us, save us

Something only you can do is gonna save us, save us

Part 3

Something big or small can save us, save us

When we get involved it’s gonna save us, save us

Take heart, Take part

Take heart, Take part