Learn to play the African marimba on this relaxed 5 week workshop series exploring folk songs from southern Africa.
Participants have the option to book on to the entire 5 week workshop series, or to attend one workshop on a date of your choice, subject to availability.
Some of the things you will learn on this workshop series include:
A repertoire of folk songs from southern Africa
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
The workshop series will conclude with the opportunity to perform for a friendly audience of family and friends for those who wish to take part.
Workshop dates: Sunday 6th October, Sunday 13th October, Sunday 20th October, Sunday 27th October, and Sunday 3rd November
Time: 12:15 - 13:15
Duration: 5 weeks
Tutor: Otto Gumaelius
Location: St Peters North Community Centre, 1 Marian Place, E2 9AX
Cost: £10 per session
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 Workshop Leader
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.
