RATTLES & SHAKERS & BELLS.

 

These are often thought to be simple rhythm instruments that anyone can play, and although that is often true it doesn't mean that these instruments are limited or unimportant. The bell parts in much of African music are essential, they hold everything together and can be pretty challenging. And when the dancers or players get out the rattles and shakers then a wonderful shimmering texture is added to the music which can't be made with any other instrument. Shake it, baby... 

(Most of the .wav files here are designed to loop, so set your player to loop if you want to hear the continuous rhythm.)

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West African Drums

Cocoa Bean Rattles. Traditionally, the Igbo women in Southeastern Nigeria wear a waist belt rattle, an ankle rattle on each leg, and a rattle in each hand when they dance in ceremonies and festivals. Here is the hand rattle, made of cocoa bean seed pods. It is a loud and bright rattle, able to cut through drumming and be heard. Six inches long. $16 each.

  Wav Sound Sample 375kb

 

Kayamba Rattles. Used in ceremonies and dances in many areas of Africa, these wood and cane rattles are made in Kenya. They have a soft, dry sound and are capable of  high definition, complex rhythms. 11"x7".  $8.00 each.   Wav Sound Sample 97 kb

 

Nsak Rattles. These rattles from Nigeria are made from woven split cane with a disk of hard calabash gourd woven into the bottom. The pebbles inside can be shaken against the cane work - making a dry rushing sound, or against the calabash - making a loud bright sound. Availiable in two sizes, large (12"x5") -$11.00, and small (8"x4") - $9.00.

    Wav Sound Sample (large nsak with small nsak) 162 kb

Wasembe Rattles. These are made in Uganda and Kenya. The J shaped stick holds several disks of Calabash gourd with short strings of beads on the disks. Makes a loud, penetrating clacking sound. (18"x9") $18.00 each.

  Wav Sound Sample 183kb

Chagcha, Andean goat toenail shakers. Dozens of goat hooves sewn onto a brightly patterned band of fabric. Can be used as a hand shaker or as wrist/ankle rattles. These make a bright jingling sound with plenty of cutting power. (4" bands) $10.00 each.

  Wav Sound Sample 198 kb

Manyanga. A forked stick with steel bottle caps strung on wires for jingles. A sistrum. Used on market days, in celebrations, and in dances by the Kikuyu people of Kenya, it has a bright, sharp, jingling sound. Various designs and colors. (18"x6") $8.00 each.

  Wav Sound Sample 61kb

Sisal fiber rattles from Ghana. Very much like the Nsak of Nigeria (see above), but smaller and more colorful. (4"x7")   $10.00 per pair.

 

Toke Bells. Hand forged iron bells from Ghana. These are great bells for Djun djun drums, the pointed tab at one end wedges into the ropes. They can also be played as a hand bell. (8"- 9" long) $22.00.

Wav Sound Sample 154 kb

 

Frikiwa. A hand held bell played something like finger cymbals, with the bell hung on one finger and the iron ring/clapper on the thumb. One bell on each hand can weave some wild rhythms.     (2" in diameter)  $14.00 each.

  Wav Sound Sample 154 kb

 

 

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Still under construction, more to come...

 

02/14/2005

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