How to get your Percussion Ensemble to understand an Afro 6/8 Groove – even if they think an Afro is just the name of a Haircut!

I always thought the Afro-cuban 6/8 would be too difficult for a school ensemble, and they wouldn’t like it – until I rewrote this tune for my school percussion ensemble….. and they LOVED IT!

Dear Music Teaching Friend,

Firstly, I have to admit something…

I’m into Jazz.

No… I’m really into Jazz.

In fact I studied it full time for four years, and I still regularly do Jazz gigs. At the moment I’m living and working out of China, where there is a great jazz scene, but I also work heaps at home in Australia (when I’m not teaching!)

Anyway, it was for one of my Jazz bands that I originally wrote this tune, and then one day I was trying to think of something different for my school percussion ensemble – something they hadn’t head of before when I remembered this tune.

I said: We’re going to play an afro.

You want us to play a what?

An Afro Cuban 6/8, I said.

I just got blank looks! They really thought that an afro was just the name of a haircut! Most high school students have never heard of an afro Cuban 6/8, let alone played one!

Luckily, the piece is based on moderately simple riffs, and it came together reasonably quickly. The rest, as they say is history and the ensemble really loved performing it.

Introducing

Complete Recording, 2:30

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The piece opens with the bass groove, and the percussion gradually layers over the top.

The melody is played by just two tuned percussion instruments, the vibraphone and glockenspiel, meaning that the piece can be performed with minimal instrumentation. The keyboard part provides a harmonic backdrop, but probably could be omitted if you didn’t have a keyboard player.

This little “stop time” section is one of the highlights

In the Bridge section the piece almost goes into 2/4 Time, but I’ve left it written in 6/8, with 4’s and 2’s over the notes. This gives you a chance to discuss duplets and quadruplets, and their reason for existing in music.

The piece then settles back to its original feel for the repeat, and concludes with an exciting coda

Here are the benefits of “Mallet Afro” for your percussion ensemble

• Your Students will be able to learn about a different style of music than your ensemble may have come across before

• You’ll find a piece that audiences will really enjoy for its groove

• You’ll be able to highlight the vibraphone and glockenspiel

• You’ll be able to show off one of your good bass guitar or keyboard players

Plus Don’t Forget….

The instantly downloadable Sheet Music for Mallet Afro is available right now from this website for just $24.95. The Download also includes:

	A complete set of parts
	The studio quality mp3 recording

You’ll get instant access via digital download and you can use it with your percussion ensemble tomorrow! Our ordering systems are 100% safe and secure, and if you have any queries check out my frequently asked questions page.

Click Here to get this piece now

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I know that you’ll get years of Value from Mallet Afro, and don’t forget that if you find it doesn’t work for your ensemble you are covered by my 100% money back guarantee.

Up and On!

Zac Courtney