Play African songs on the African marimba of Zimbabwe. Complete beginners are most welcome and there will be plenty of room for growth and development.
There are 7 places available in this community marimba band, and it is open to anyone interested in learning how to play this wonderful instrument, spread across soprano, tenor and baritone marimbas. We also welcome anyone who would like to join to play djembe or shakers, with singing.
Some of the things you will learn playing in the community marimba band include:
A repertoire of folk songs from Zimbabwe, South Africa and Botswana
An understanding of the cultural context of each song
Confidence to play on soprano, tenor and baritone marimbas
Confidence to play several variations interchangeably on each song
The ability to sing some basic vocal lines to the songs you learn
Dates: August 20, 27, September 3, 10, 17, 24
Time: 19:00 - 20:00
Duration: 6 weeks
Location: St Peters North Community Centre, 1 Marian Place, E2 9AX
Cost: £60 for a six week committment
Book Your Place: https://www.outsavvy.com/event/28126/st-peters-community-marimba-band-6-week-marimba-band-workshop-series-20-august-24-september
If you would like to book on to an individual class, and not the entire 6 week programme, please get in touch at info@tasteofsouthernafrica.com and we will confirm availability.
About Marimba
Full of buzzing sound and energy, the marimba is a wonderful instrument to play. A typical Zimbabwean marimba ensemble is made up of soprano, tenor, baritone and bass marimbas. They are acoustic instruments, making them easy to set up, and they are played using two sticks. Zimbabwean marimbas came into extistance in the 1960s at Kwanongoma College of African Music in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, which specialised in African music and teacher training. The marimba was developed as a uniquely African instrument for instruction. Today the instruments are played across southern Africa.
About Your Instructor
Otto Gumaelius is a London based, Botswana raised, percussionist specialising in the Kwanongoma marimba and mbira nyunga nyunga of southern Africa. He writes and performs with his band Otto & The Mutapa Calling, and teaches music from Zimbabwe, South Africa and Botswana through his cultural arts and events company, Taste of Southern Africa. He is also a published author with a 1st Class Master of Arts Honours Degree in International Management.
