African Songs and Rhythms for Children (Book)

This Orff-Schulwerk volume includes speech, song, and percussion based on African materials. Songs are presented from the Akan, Ga, and Ewe-speaking peoples of Ghana, written in phonetic script with a short pronunciation guide.

This book includes topics from cradle songs to songs about adventurous people and absent friends. Instruments used include hand clapping, single or double bell or gong, rattle, castanets, and drums. The coordinating CD, available separately, is an excellent quality recording (item 850183).

This book is recommended for grades 4 to 9.

Contents:

• Preface
• Introduction
• About the Songs
• Percussion
• Drumming
• Pronunciation Guide
• Instruments
• Songs

Songs:

• Away Away Little Goat (Ewe cradle song w/ rhythmic accompaniment)
• You Must Do It Well (Ewe tune w/ rhythmic accompaniment)
• Bring Us Fish to Eat (Ga tune w/ rhythmic accompaniment)
• We've Arrived at Klinua (Ewe tune w/ rhythmic accompaniment)
• If I Had a Brave Man Alive (Ewe lament w/ rhythmic accompaniment)
• Taa Taa Yee (song w/ rhythmic accompaniment)
• I Go Slowly I Walk Slowly (speech choir w/ drum accompaniment)
• Kondo Went to the Whiteman's World (simplified version of an Ewe piece)
• Departed Spirits Come for a Drink (simplified version of a Ghanaian piece)
• I Cry Out for the Valiant One (drum ensemble based on a simplified version of an Akan piece)
• Adu Get Ready to Receive Us (based on a simplified version of an Akan piece)
• Don't Cry (Ga cradle song w/ rhythmic accompaniment)