Gnaoua 101_Introduction to Gnaoua Rhythms for Beginners

Course Description:

Welcome to the world of Gnaoua music! This unique introductory course empowers beginners to learn and embody the foundational rhythms of Gnaoua music using only their hands, feet, and voice along with Academy’s original sound tracks. We will explore how to create rhythmic patterns and beats, mimicking the sounds and feel of traditional Gnaoua instruments, while also understanding the cultural significance of these rhythms.

 

Course Outline:

Lesson 1: Understanding Gnaoua Rhythms

We begin our journey by introducing students to the key rhythms in Gnaoua music, and the significance of these rhythms within the music’s spiritual and cultural context.

Lesson 2: Hand Rhythms

In the second lesson, we’ll focus on using our hands as the primary instrument. We’ll learn a range of techniques for creating rhythm through clapping and tapping hands on different surfaces.

Lesson 3: Feet Rhythms

This lesson will teach students to use their feet to contribute to the rhythm. By stomping, tapping, and sliding, we’ll create patterns that enrich and complement the hand rhythms.

Lesson 4: Vocal Rhythms

In this lesson, we’ll introduce the voice as a rhythmic instrument. Using techniques like rhythmic breathing, humming, and vocal percussive sounds, students will learn how to add another layer to their rhythm compositions.

Lesson 5: Combining Hands, Feet, and Voice

In the final lesson, we’ll bring together the rhythms of the hands, feet, and voice. Students will practice coordinating these elements to create multi-layered rhythmic compositions.

 

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

• –  Understand and explain the key rhythms in Gnaoua music.
• –  Create a variety of rhythms using their hands, feet, and voice.
• –  Combine hand, feet, and vocal rhythms to produce a full rhythmic composition.

–  Appreciate the cultural significance of rhythm in Gnaoua music.

This engaging course provides beginners with a unique and accessible entry point into the fascinating world of Gnaoua music, promoting continued exploration and deeper study of this rich musical tradition.