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Manny Cepeda: Educational Programs

Grossmont College
Department of Music
Music 299

Introduction to Afro-Cuban Percussion

COURSE PURPOSE
This course will give the students a broad overview of percussion rhythms and usage related to performance in the Afro-Cuban Ensemble or any other group that uses Latin or Afro-Cuban styles of music. Emphasis will be place on the execution of each rhythm by style, instrument role, rhythmic concept, structure and application. It will also enhance the student by listening to different musical styles, musical instruments and individuals who made significant contributions to different styles of Afro-Cuban and Caribbean music.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

1. Introduce the student to various types of Afro-Cuban rhythms percussion instruments
   

2. Introduce the student to ear training and selective listening
   

3. Enable the student to perform the basic fundamental aspects of Afro-Cuban rhythms on each instrument
   

4. Enable the student to gain a working knowledge of the musical terminology and interpretation associated with Afro-Cuban and Caribbean music
   

TEXT

• Arturo Rodriguez "Traditional Afro-Cuban Concepts in Contemporary Music"

• Charley Gerard with Marty Sheller "Salsa! The Rhythm of Latin Music" New Edition

INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES
Videos, recorded examples, classroom demonstrations, and the Internet will be used to help strengthen the students understanding of the material presented in this course.

MUSIC JOURNAL
I will start the class with listening to recording to train the ear understanding of the complex rhythms. You will be responsible for keeping a journal of every recording played in the class. Before each recording, we'll discuss the criteria that you will need for each example.
Here's a sample entry that I expect:

Artist - Mongo Santamaria
Title - "Margarito"
Impression - Guaguancó style straight-ahead 3-2 Clave pattern established. Instruments used; congas, palitos (sticks), and requinto drum improvising under the vocalist and the flute player. I notice this song had no melodic instruments other than the flute. Very common instrumentation for Rumba or Guaguancó. I really like it.

* There will be numerous recordings played during the semester, so you will want to make your music journal as complete as possible. Music journals will be turned in once at the end of the semester. Journals must be typed. Hand written journal will not be accepted. Journals with incomplete or vague entries will be graded accordingly.

CONCERT REPORTS (Non-performers)
You will be required to attend a minimum of two concerts involving Afro-Cuban/Caribbean style music and write a report for each concert. A sample copy will be posted on the course website.
A list of venues and concert dates will be provided. Papers must be typed (double spaced), and must have a minimum of two pages in length. Hand written papers will not be accepted. Each report must contain the following:

Intro: The vital statistics of the performance: date, time, place, name(s) of performers

Section 1: Describe the concert. Discuss the use of percussion instruments, the mood of the music, and anything else that you feel compelled to discuss. Be sure to include the composer of each piece.

Section 2: Describe the music in general. Include a brief description of what percussive emotions or solos were presented. Detail any special
percussion solo(s) and compare/contrast with music we have studied in class.

Section 3: Give a personal assessment of your experience. What did you like the most? What did you like the least? What this your first Afro-Cuban/Caribbean concert? Based on this experience would you go to another concert?

All reports must include a ticket stub and program where applicable. If a program is not available, make one up yourself.

* Where to find out about concerts:
The Union-Tribune (Thursdays, "Night and Day" section), and other San Diego-Area publications (such as the Reader)

Concert schedules for Grossmont College, SDSU, and area Jazz Clubs are included on the course website.

CONCERT REPORTS (Performers)
You will be required (if you are a part of the ensemble performing a percussive instrument) the same requirement structure as the "non-performer" but with a more detailed musical description of the concert. You must also explain the different beats styles you performed and why did you used that style. Did it enhance the percussion section? Did it get on the way? Were you too busy in your playing? Not busy enough? Did you know the form of the piece? Did you feel you had enough knowledge to do a solo?

COURSE OUTLINE

Unit 1

• Week 1
  Introduction - What is Afro-Cuban Percussion
  Listening session
  Elements of Music
  What makes it Afro-Latin?

• Week 2
  Role of each Instrument
  Rhythmic Concepts
  Pulse/Downbeat;
  Measure/Meter; subdividing meter
  Clave 3-2; 2-3

• Week 3
  Rhythm/Polyrhythmic
  Form structures

• Week 4
  Son/Son Montuno-Listening
  Application (Bongo/Cowbell; Timbales; Congas; Bass; Piano)
  Rumba

• Week 5 (Do after Mid-Term)
  **Cansión/Danzón - Listening
  Application (Bongo/Cowbell; Timbales; Congas; Bass; Piano)
  Punto Guajiro

• Week 6
  Afro-Latin rock/Pop/Mambo - Listening
  Application (Bongo/Cowbell; Timbales; Congas; Bass; Piano)
  Rumba- Guaguanco/Yambu/Columbia

Unit 2

• Week 6
  Afro-Latin rock/Pop/Mambo - Listening
  Application (Bongo/Cowbell; Timbales; Congas; Bass; Piano)
  Songo

• Week 7
  Salsa - Listening
  Application (Bongo/Cowbell; Timbales; Congas; Bass; Piano)
  Guaracha/Salsa

• Week 8
  Mid-Term Juries

• Week 9
  Polyrhythmic - Listening
  Application (Bongo/Cowbell; Timbales; Congas; Bass; Piano)
  Nanigo; 6/8; 4/4 & 6/8

Unit 3

• Week 9, 10
  Polyrhythmic - Listening
  Application (Bongo/Cowbell; Timbales; Congas; Bass; Piano)
  Mozambique 4/4 & 6/8

• Week 11
  More rhythms
  Application (Bongo/Cowbell; Timbales; Congas; Bass; Piano)
  Bolero/ Cha-Cha

• Week 12
  More rhythms
  Application (Bongo/Cowbell; Timbales; Congas; Bass; Piano)
  Merengue - Dominican; Merengue Apanbicha'o; Cuban; Puerto Rican

• Week 13
  Folkloric Instruments
  Application (Barriles - Panderetas)
  Bomba y Plena

• Week 14
  Review
  Application (Bongo/Cowbell; Timbales; Congas; Bass; Piano)
  All Rhythms

• Week 15,16
  Review
  Application (Bongo/Cowbell; Timbales; Congas; Bass; Piano)
  All Rhythms

• Week 17 - Final Jury

Copyright © 2010 Manny Cepeda