‘Yiri’ by Koko

Starter What do these keywords mean?: Call and response Call and echo Polyrhythms Cross rhythms Syncopation Improvisation Oral tradition

Today’s learning objectives: To revise key features of ‘Yiri’ by Koko

Background 6 musicians in ‘Koko’ ‘Koko’ are from a small landlocked West African country called Burkino Faso (which translates as ‘men of integrity, father’s house’) Music from Burkino Faso is often about humanity’s greatest battles in life; fight for survival, looking after the environment. Music also focuses on creation, community celebrations and friendships. ‘Kiri’ is from an alum released in 2002. ‘Kiri’ means wood and its use as the title of this track probably refers to the importance of wood in the making of drums and instruments such as the balafon. Oral tradition

Identify these instruments used in Yiri 1 2 3 5 4

Instrumentation 2 Balafons Djembe Dundun (bass drum like a djembe) Bara (small drum made from a gourd) Talking drum

Identify the structure There are 12 sections in ‘Yiri’. Use the words below to identify the structure (they can be used more than once). BEWARE I have added a red herring! Intro Coda Chorus A Chorus B Verse Balafon solo Vocal solo

Structure Introduction Chorus A1 Balafon solo Chorus A2 Vocal solo Vocal solo and balafon cross rhythms Chorus B1 Chorus A3 Coda

Texture True or false… Monophonic in the intro (one balafon) Heterophonic later in the intro when the other balafon joins in Unison vocals in chorus A Homophonic during the balafon solo (drums accompaniment) Call and response during the vocal solo

Texture Monophonic in the intro (one balafon) Heterophonic later in the intro when the other balafon joins in Unison vocals in chorus A Homophonic during the balafon solo (drums accompaniment) Call and response during the vocal solo

Harmony Balafon tuning is the same as Western G flat major (remember they do not have major and minor etc like us)

Rhythm & Tempo The tempo is constant after the initial balafon solo at the very beginning The beat is regular The drum ostinato persists throughout the music Syncopation in balafon solo agains the drum ostinato Cross rhythms from balafons during the vocal solo