Senior Recital

Electric Guitar – Introduced to Africa in the mid-20th century through colonial trade, radio, and imported recordings, the electric guitar quickly became central to urban popular and folk-derived styles across the continent. Played with a clean or lightly driven tone, it emphasizes intricate, interlocking melodic lines and rhythmic picking patterns, especially in West and Central African traditions like highlife (Ghana), soukous (DRC), and Afrobeat (Nigeria).

Fender Bass – The electric bass, particularly models popularized by Fender, became widespread in African music during the same mid-20th century. It supplemented traditional bass instruments by providing a consistent, amplified low-end foundation in styles like Afrobeat, soukous, makossa (Cameroon), and mbaqanga (South Africa). Typically played with a rhythmic, groove-oriented approach, the bass locks tightly with percussion to create cyclical, danceable patterns rooted in traditional African rhythms.

Kalimba – A southern African thumb piano with metal tines, producing bell-like tones in traditional and modern music. Its cyclical patterns create hypnotic textures. Descended from the Mbira.

Kora – A West African harp-lute used by griots in Mali, Senegal, and Gambia for storytelling traditions. It combines bass lines, chords, and melody simultaneously.

Dunduns – West African bass drums used in ensemble drumming (Mali/Guinea). They provide foundational patterns that interlock with other drums.

Djembe – A West African goblet drum with a wide tonal range, central to Mandé traditions. It often leads ensemble improvisation.

Udu – A Nigerian clay pot drum producing sound through air movement. Its unique tone resembles water droplets or bubbling sounds.

Shekere – A West African beaded gourd shaker used in Yoruba and broader African traditions. It combines shaking and striking techniques.

Seed Shaker – A global category of natural rattles made from seeds or shells. They are often used in ceremonial and communal music-making. Very common in Ghana

Caxixi – An African basket shaker (also used in Brazil). The hard base allows contrasting tones.

Karignan – A West African metal scraper used for steady rhythmic patterns. It often acts as a timekeeping instrument.

Talking Drum – A West African hourglass drum with tension cords, allowing pitch bending to mimic speech in Yoruba and other traditions. It historically served both musical and communicative roles.