African Idiophone Instruments
What Are They (Good For)?
The idiophone naturally fascinates us: Like all African percussion instruments, it has that rootsy sound, that ancient look. There's an abuncance of fun hand percussion and shaker percussion in Africa.
But if you are like me, then honestly: You just can't figure out what the heck to do with these ethnic musical instruments!
Well, no problem. As usual, we can learn the most by just observing Africa.
But first, I think we should clarify one basic and important question:
What exactly is an idiophone?
African idiophones
In Ghana, I often see people play whatever they can find: sticks, tin cans, pots...
Any object that sounds when being struck, shaken, scraped or stamped is a self-sounding instrument. So basically even your clapping hands and stamping feet!
Examples Of Idiophones
There are so many of them that scientists started to categorize. Probably the most relevant categories for Africa are these, each with a few examples:
| untuned | tuned | |
| primary | maracas clappers kosikas |
xylophone thumb piano |
| secondary |
djembe shakers ankle shakers |
Primary / Secondary
Primary ones are actively played by a musician through striking, shaking, scraping or stamping. Many of these simple instruments need great skills and practice.
The musician doesn't really play the secondary ones. He just attaches them to his primary instrument or wears them on arms and ankles. Through his movements, they passively add sound to the music.
Tuned / Untuned
Most percussion instruments produce only rhythm (untuned). Some primary instruments though have several pitches and can be tuned to create melody.
Good to know. But what we are really interested in is:
What Are Idiophones Actually Used For?
First of all, they play a significant part in:
Everyday African Life
Can't imagine what that means? Here are some examples:
- Farmers keep their herds together or chase away wild animals.
- Street vendors play specific signals to get attention of potential customers.
- Fitness groups gather on Sunday mornings for a run through the city streets, motivated and paced by bell rhythms.
- Kings and priests dramatize their processions and ceremonies with bells and rattles that mark each of their moves.
Apart from that, self-sounding instruments also make great:
Childrens Musical Instruments
Ghanaian kids' favorite toy is the Kosika. That's surprising, because even for an adult it's quite challenging. For our non-African kids, colorful rattles like the Caxixi or a small wooden xylophone are far more suitable.
But even these "toys" are serious instruments in the hands of:
Professional Musicians
In traditional music ensembles, it is always present in one form or another:
The bells are considered the "backbone" of traditional music. Although they don't dictate the pace, they mark the time line that every member of the group follows. It must therefore be played very accurately.
(It's these distinctive sounds of the Atoke or Gankogui etc. that let you immediately recognize a rhythm and it's ethnic origin.)
Secondary rattles and shakers worn by dancers or attached to instruments are responsible for that typical spice and rootsy feel of African music.
Various types of calabash shakers like the Axatse effectively drive the music and turn up the heat with their loud and quick rhythms.
Conclusion
As you see, the idiophone shouldn't be underestimated. When you know how to make use of it, it is an extremely powerful and versatile type of percussion instrument.
