Promoting World Music
Hertfordshire Music Service actively supports the
development and promotion of many World Music genres.
Gamelan
Samba
Steel Pans
Jembe
Tabla
Samba
 The Samba Workshops are one of the most popular activities provided by
the Music Service and are aimed at a wide age range from Year 4 to A Level
students. This workshop has been devised and developed by Samba supremo
Wallace Ruby.
The history of Samba and its origins in Africa is explained as is how
it was brought over with the slaves and the use of Portuguese military
instruments and what ever was at hand. Political and cultural dimensions
are also covered.
The various instruments are demonstrated pointing out which are of African
and which are of Portuguese origin and often a recording is played which
has all of the instruments playing together so that the group gets an
idea of how it all works.
The practical part of the session follows introducing the two most important
rhythmic parts: The Surdo rhythm and the Agogo/ Tamborim pattern. A piece
is then created using all of the instruments with everyone playing. This
is of a level driven by the age and experience of the group involved.
As Wallace says, "I feel that Samba is probably the most accessible
of all the World Musics and therefore is a good starting point at any
level of student understanding of other musical cultures.. Because it
is made up of quite simple and highly recognisable rhythmic patterns
it is possible to achieve a lot in a one hour session and leave the
students
with something that they can remember and hopefully merge into their
class music lessons.
I use no musical terms in the session and teach everything aurally.
This not only helps with listening skills but also doesn’t exclude pupils
who haven’t had a formal music training. This is important because
on many occasions these workshops have led to pupils showing a high level
of ability not previously recognised by their teacher."
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