Experiencing Music Expressing Culture-This book introduces the musical traditions of West Africa and discusses the diversity motifs and structure of West African music within the larger patterns of the region's culture. Drawing upon the author's extensive fieldwork it explores how the music's complex rhythmic combinations in fast-paced patterns and quick tightly orchestrated movements influence how West Africans understand themselves and their culture.

In this lesson Fernando Perez presents several tunes from West Africa. Directly learnt from African Jalis (Griots) these are traditional as well as original compositions specially arranged for Guitar. Imitating the sound of West African instruments such as Kora Ngoni or Balafon Perez demonstrates unique techniques on the Guitar in order to perform the grooves and melodies in a faithful way. All the tunes can be played on nylon or acoustic steel string Guitars. In this lesson you will learn: Understanding the sound and techniques of African instruments in order to apply them to the guitar. Different techniques imitating Korascale runs Balafon breaks etc. Several grooves from Mali Senegal Gambia. How to properly keep these grooves counting tapping and feeling. Kora picking style with thumb and index. Main scales used in West African music. How West African music connects with Blues styles. Combining West African styles with your own Blues licks. Explanations on how to further develop this music style. A West African repertoire full of variety. Each tune is taught phrase by phrase and played slowly on a split-screen. Titles include: The Mandinka Song Massina Madou Fatoudiob Sanu Mali Blues and Kulanjan. 107 minutesLevel 3Detailed tab/music PDF booklet on the DVD