Workshop Notes and Materials
Circle Song
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…
Now I Walk in Beauty
Traditional Navajo Prayer, Music by Gregg Smith
NOW I WALK IN BEAUTY
Now I walk in beauty
Beauty is before me
Beauty is behind me
Above and below me
Tue Tue
Traditional Play Party Song from Ghana ~ Languages: Hausa , Twi, Akan
Sung at harvest festivals to thank the supreme being for delicious food, health and well being.
Tue tue barima tue tue
Tue tue barmima tue tue
Abafraba ama dawa dawa tue tue
Abafraba ama dawa dawa tue tue
Barima tue tue
Tue tue
Love Crisis
by Joyce Brookshire
© Gaskill Street Music BMI
Your love for me has been my source of power
You always know the way to turn me on
But when you kissed me tonight, I felt a shortage
The current from your lips is almost gone
CHORUS
There’s gonna be a love crisis in my future
There won’t be fuel enough to light my fire
There’s gonna be a love crisis in my future
Cause you turned off the flame of desire
I guess I should have planned a little better
And set my thermostat at a less degree
But when you switched on the passion in my fire
I didn’t think of conserving energy
CHORUS
I’m leaving in the morning for Miami
I’ll think of you in sunshine by the sea
And if you ever hope to get us back together
You better study up on solar energy
CHORUS
SKHANDAMAYEZA
SKHANDAMAYEZA*
Zulu, South Africa
“Rubber neck” ~ A (wo)man who is perhaps not the best choice for a life partner, flighty, not reliable, not to be trusted
Bass, Tenor, Alto:
Skandama-yeza
Skandama-yeza
Skandama-yeza
Skandamayeza
Soprano (call):
Oile oile
Oile oile
Oile oile
Ngwana oi
Skandamayeza
Skandamayeza
Skandamayeza
Ngwana oi
DANCE
South African songs are always accompanied by dancing!
1) March R-L-R-L
Arm bent at the elbow, hand in a fist, alternating arms
2) Bounce in rhythm and turn to R – on beat 4 toss fingers up into the air
Bounce in rhythm and turn to L – on beat 4 toss fingers up into the air
Bounce in rhythm and turn to R – on beat 4 toss fingers up into the air
Turn L – Arms are bent up with hand in fist / L arm stays up, R arm pulls back at elbow 3x in time with the music
* Performance Note:
Sing through 1 time with no dancing. Traditionally this is done so that the audience can hear the arrangement because they know the song and will be singing along.
Then add the dance and sing through as many times as feels right.
Last time through stop the dance. This signals the audience that the song is ending, and they can enjoy the performance as it comes to a close.
WHAT IS A SHOOTING STAR?
by Hy Zaret & Lou Singer
Lyrics © Helene Blue Musique Ltd, Music Sales Corporation
WHAT IS A SHOOTING STAR?
Verse 1:
A shooting star is not a star
It’s not a star at all
A shooting star’s a meteor
A rock from space that falls.
Verse 2:
A shooting star is not a star
Why does it shine so bright?
The friction as it falls through air Produces heat and light
Verse 3:
A shooting star, or meteor Whichever name you like
The minute it comes down to Earth It’s called a meteorite
Diversify and Unify
Vocal improvisation from Augusto Boal
www.theatreoftheoppressed.org
Each person go alone to a corner of the room and find a phrase that can be repeated.
At a signal from the leader, find another person, listen to their phrase, while singing your phrase, and slowly transform the 2 phrases into one phrase.
Go back to your alone space.
Transform the new phrase into a new solo phrase.
Find a new partner.
Unify/transform your phrases.
With your partner, find another duo and unify your 2 phrases.
As a foursome, find another foursome, unify and transform.
Come together as a whole group and slowly transform the entire music into one phrase that everyone can sing together.