Yiri

Question 1

Melody

Answer 1

• Improvised and learnt orally
• Balafons play polyrhythms independently to each other, sometimes playing in heterophony
• Vocal melody is short and repetitive, beginning and ending in unison but middle is call and response, with a much longer solo call than response. Uses long, held notes and short, punctuated notes on ‘Yiri’

Question 2

Harmony

Answer 2

• Close to tonic Gb major, frequent use of dominant Db note

* Octaves between balafons

Question 3

Tonality

Answer 3

*Opening balafon establishes Gb, reinforced by dominant Db note

Question 4

Structure

Answer 4

• (Verse, chorus, long balafon break) X3
• Chorus includes dialogue between voices and balafons, balafons often play tune of singers
• Choir echo the last bit of the soloist
• Ends with silent moments to signal the end of the piece

Question 5

Instrumentation/Timbre

Answer 5

• Leader sings and plays balafon, other musicians play flute, djembe, maracas and talking drum
• Timbre is developed - single balafon changes with second balafon, then drums, then two vocal types produce two new tone colours

Question 6

Texture

Answer 6

• Begins monophonic, then becomes heterophonic and polyphonic
• Simple to begin and builds up, changes considerably in call and response, with solo call and choral response
• Wooden balafons provide dense texture

Question 7

Rhythm

Answer 7

• Balafon ostinati create complex polyphony
• Drum ostinati is a relentless one-bar pattern, decorated with occasional rhythmic fills
• Balafons play cross-rhythms in call and response which syncopate during the coda

Question 8

Tempo

Answer 8

• Learnt orally
• Begins completely free, continues at a moderate tempo
• Tremelo on balafon at start make notes longer so it ia difficult to tell the time

Question 9

Mood

Answer 9

• Made for community and dance

* Upbeat, celebratory, sense of togetherness

Question 10

Dynamics

Answer 10

• Opens softly, increase as instruments are added and texture thickens
• Ends with a single bell ting