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None of These

Learning from the Balafon: Lesson 18: 6 + 4 African Bell

Jerry Leake 4 January 2021

6 + 4 African Bell Perspectives

This video explores a contemporary treatment of a bell pattern from the country of Benin in West Africa. These drumset examples are adapted to playing the balafon, but can be applied to any instrument. The 2-bar pattern in 12/8 is built with the first bar in a “6” feel and the second in “4.” The alternation of 6 and 4 creates a profound shift in perspective as it is played by the musician and heard by the listener.

Download the attached file for notation and variations.

Autumn Leaves - Improv with Four Note Groupings

ed saindon 26 June 2020

Clip of "Autumn Leaves" exclusively improvising with Four Note Groupings recorded for my Berklee improv classes this summer. The concept is in Volume Two of The Complete Guide To Improvisation. I uploaded the lead sheet listing the 4NGs that I am using in the clip as well as excerpts about the concept from volume two of the guide. The book excerpts include a page about the concept, what 4NGs are available according to chord types and the table of contents of the concept. It's a concept that I love to play and work on for myself and with students.

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