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Hand Signals

Funk

(Tune signal: Two fingers out to the side and thumb pointing downwards to make an "F" shape)

(Some bands use the signal of making a glasses on your eyes) 

Notes:

This tune is played over 8 beats rather than 4, so counting in of breaks etc is different.

Try starting the tune with the repeniques playing their part, then bring in the other instruments one at a time (the order surdos, tams, snares, shakers and agogos sounds good). Alternatively try starting with the repeniques, then bring in surdos, shakers, tams, snares and agogos. Play around and find a combination you like.

In break 2, you are playing 2 notes per beat. It is very easy to speed this up and play it as a drum roll. Try and avoid this - you want a nice measured rhythm that builds back into the groove.

The shouting breaks can be used in almost any tune, not just this one. Just make sure the band knows in advance that this is a possibility, otherwise just signalling the break in the middle of a totally different tune might cause a bit of confusion.

This tune is particularly amenable to stopping all instruments except one type then bringing them back in one by one. Try snares, surdos, tams then agogos then calling a break before having everyone come in. Or maybe surdos, tams, snares, repeniques then agogos last. Play around and see what sounds good.

If we're feeling in a particularly silly mood, we sometimes play around with the shouting break by using other yells instead of "hey" or "oi". For example, "woo" (signal: make the letter 'W' with the fingers) or the Monty Python inspired "Ni" (signal: antlers on head), blowing a raspberry (signal: thumb on nose, fingers waving) or even a scream (signal: hands up, fingers waving, pretend you're screaming). Mess around and have some fun!!! If you're running a workshop with kids, they'll love it.

[Sound files] [Printable Version]

Groove

x = hit  

fl = flare on repenique

hd = hit hand on repenique rim

r = note played on rim of repenique

l = low agogo bell
h = high agogo bell
. = ghost note (quiet snare note)

Break 1

(Signal: 1 finger held up)

x = hit

Break 2

(Signal: 2 fingers held up)

x = hit

Shouting Break

x = hit

We often play around with this if we're feeling in a silly mood by using other sounds instead of "hey". For example, "woo" (signal: make the letter 'W' with the fingers) or the Monty Python inspired "Ni" (signal: antlers on head), blowing a raspberry (signal: thumb on nose, fingers waving) or even a scream (signal: hands up, fingers waving, pretend you're screaming). Mess around and have some fun!!!

Sound files 

[Printable Version]

"Hey" sound by jukkis111 (http://freesound.iua.upf.edu/usersViewSingle.php?id=507974) pandora huuto2.wav (http://freesound.iua.upf.edu/samplesViewSingle.php?id=45604)

Sourced from The Freesound Project (http://freesound.iua.upf.edu/index.php)