PERCUSSION
[ TRIBAL GROOVES | Mark Shelton ]
interwoven beads and/or shells wraps loosely The sleigh bells need not be confined to the
around a gourd to create a customary shekere. last month of the year. You might raise a few
Have you heard a similar request during a Modern versions often substitute a “synthetic eyebrows when this instrument makes an
rehearsal? Modern worship recordings with gourd” instead of the fragile fruit. Learn a appearance in July, but the bright timbre can
tribal grooves are about as common as couple of methods for playing the shekere at deliver a ringing “ethno-rock” vibe to the mix from
sauerkraut on a Reuben sandwich. A tribal https://youtu.be/h_TNBLuNijQ. January through November. The tone combines
“Go to a tribal groove on verse two.”
aspects of both tambourine and shaker that
groove can also be referred to as “toms groove”
or “ethnic feel.” When the tribal directive is Does anything say “tribal groove percussion” can bring a sonic sheen to contemporary
given, you can be certain that the drum set more than a goat hooves rattle? A traditional worship songs. Look for a short video tutorial at
player is going to lay down a “toms-centric” instrument of Andean folk music, the chajchas https://youtu.be/rCOoK2wepHc.
pattern featuring a generic blend of eighths and are made by sewing the hooves to a cloth sixteenths with a few scattered accents. It will band. Instead of wearing the bracelet while Besides the suggestions mentioned above,
bear little resemblance to any culturally specific playing, I simply tape a couple of chajchas there are a plethora of other percussion sounds
tribal rhythms on this planet. What are you, the bands together so that I can hold the bunch in that will provide a contrasting timbre to a toms
percussionist, going to play? my hand and shake. groove. Combining tone colors should not
be overlooked as an option. Mix Togo seed
When a toms-dense groove is thumping from rattles with sleigh bells. Blend the sounds of
the drum set, I seldom feel the desire to attach tambourine and caxixi. Experiment!
more membranophones to the mix. Instead
of tossing additional drums onto the groove, When it comes to my rhythmic choices in
I prefer applying timbres and rhythms that a tribal groove for a modern worship song, I
offer a “complementary contrast.” With the go for simple. Since the drum set player is
drum set covering a bustling pattern of mid- going to carry most of the rhythmic activity
range and low frequencies, I often experiment and syncopation, I want my contribution to
with contributing a gentle “ethnic flavoring” of add some “ethno-spice” without cluttering the
upper frequencies. Read on for a quick primer groove. While steady streams of eighths or
on a few of my favorite instruments for the sixteenths might work well, I often drop only a
generic tribal feel along with some advice on single note on every downbeat or merely place
rhythmic choices. a solitary sound in the measure.
The body of the caxixi (pronounced ka-she-
(The art lies in locating the just-right spot.)
Shake one in each hand or rattle a cluster she) consists of a cone-shaped woven basket with one paw; maracas can be played with a attached to a “floor” made from a circular piece variety of techniques. (Go online and check out of gourd, metal, or plastic. A crisp attack and The tribal groove is coming up. Probably this
the Venezuelan Joropa method—and brace short sustain makes the caxixi a nice alternative weekend. Give the “color without clutter”
yourself.) For the tribal groove, l reach for maracas to a cylindrical shaker. Grab a few caxixi method a chance. Simple can be tasty.
with larger beads for a “coarse” tone quality. You techniques at https://youtu.be/_QVJyhh0vy4.
can find my three short tutorials for maracas at
www.youtube.com/marksheltonmusic.
A cluster of dried pods can pack a powerful
percussive punch. The Togo seed rattle delivers
The shekere has the look of a medium-difficulty a wooden clatter that can stand out in a mix
macrame project. A string network with and enhance a tribal groove.
52
April 2018
Mark Shelton
An active freelance musician, Mark’s percussion work
can be heard live and on recordings with Gateway
Worship. A member of the Texas Commission on the
Arts Touring Roster.
PercussionForWorship.blogspot.com
WorshipMusician.com