Today, I took a xylophone (gyil) lesson from master Bernard Woma, who runs the Dagara Music Center. He told me today that he showed the two little Obama girls how to play drums etc when their parents were out on business during their recent visit to Accra. Two degrees of separation. Thank you very much.
(Lecture mode). The gyil is a 14-key instrument that uses a pentatonic scale. I love how the key combinations are referred to: an octave is brother & sister; "fourths" as uncle; "thirds" as nieces; and neighboring keys as friends. Go read the rest on Wikipedia.
Of course, I was only able to do simple rhythms, but it was a glaring reminder of how much my mind wanders. Of course the moment it does, I lose track of either the key or the beat. It's the odd combination of getting your body to feel the music and become rhythmic, while at the same time maintaining enough attention and thinking far enough ahead to not miss the key and know what one's supposed to do. I guess I just haven't built up enough muscle memory in the short hour. (But I did earn my blisters). Plus, he is very good and I just want to listen to and watch him play.
But people, I have a video of the two of us playing together. Given the internet speeds here, it will have to wait till I return to Boston. And I hope to take another lesson next week when I come back. I can definitely get addicted.
I then stayed around and met this beautiful young woman who has been dancing for the past 14 years, and was the instructor of the African dance workshop later in the afternoon. I couldn't stay away and joined in the group of college students from West Virginia U. You can imagine how we looked, especially to the villagers who gathered to watch. Certainly a good way to work off the banku and fufu!
