In today's lesson everything about my composition changed. I completely abandoned the idea of an aggressive tribal piece and actually took an unexpected liking to a lullaby that I found by complete accident. There was something about the soft and warm way the instruments were played, which were completely parallel to everything I had heard before, and it just stuck. So instead of invasive and aggressive poly rhythms and lower scale chords, I have opted for much kinder sounds. I have still used poly rhythms and chords from E minor (now A, E and G) but they have been played in a way I would never have thought of had I come across the old song (I actually found the CD at the back of the wardrobe). Although I could not find the exact one, a similar composition can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD-HLyebLOo
I feel that the effectiveness of this piece is far better than what I was originally aiming for, and I feel I have encapsulated a big part of what African music is about- family and community.
I feel that the effectiveness of this piece is far better than what I was originally aiming for, and I feel I have encapsulated a big part of what African music is about- family and community.