Modern African Classical Drumming: Contemporary African Drumming Practice for a Multicultural Music Curriculum

ABSTRACT Drumming is one of the most common instrumental practices on the African continent, and forms part of various cultural music practices of different ethnic groups. In traditional African drumming societies, drumming expertise is acquired aurally-orally. As culture evolves, so does the transmission of indigenous African music. Traditional music undergoes adaptations to fit recontextualised environments, including classrooms. Modern African Classical Drumming (MACD) is a contemporary notated drumming practice based on traditional practices. It is informed by indigenous African musical arts theory and promotes complementary interdependence of performance arts in a holistic performance presentation. MACD can be easily adapted into classrooms, promoting both music literacy and traditional African instruments. Incorporating traditional music into modern classrooms for the promotion of multicultural music education, and the preservation and propagation of the musical heritage of African drumming to younger generations are some reasons for the evolution of MACD. Inevitably, this continuum demands adjustments and compromises to be made in favour of recontextualising MACD. Notation used in MACD does not include performance markings – but merely minimal rhythmic guidelines. In this article theoretical elements of creativity, analysis and performance have been drawn on to facilitate teaching and learning of this particular drumming genre. Score analysis and interpretation guidelines are designed to equip both novice teachers and learners to acquire basic MACD interpretation and performance skills.