In-Depth Lessons:
I'm excited to offer you these in-depth online Zimbabwean style music lessons.
Each Lesson Contains:
A high quality video to clearly see what's going on.- Transcriptions in many common formats and Western Notation.
- Discussion of the history and and stories behind the pieces.
- Personal Comment form so you can communicate directly with me if you have any questions.
Scroll down to see the lesson details!
Mahororo: Funky Kushaura
Here is a really funky kushaura for Mahororo taught to me by Newton Gwara. It builds on the common kushaura that many people play, and adds a nice twist to the rhythm.
Details:
- This is a detailed lesson of the version I play here.
- Basic version, bass variation, and highline variation.
- A great new way of playing Mahororo that will bring energy to the dancers!
- 14 Minute High Resolution video.
Mbira: Muka Tiende
This is a version of Nhengure (Muka Tiende) that Newton Gwara taught me. I've never heard anyone else play a version like this. Very cool and funky high Kushaura.
Details:
- This is a detailed lesson of the free Youtube version I play here.
- 17+ minute high resolution video.
- Basic Kushaura and bass variation with very funky right hand.
- Multiple Transcription formats and Western notation.
Mbira: Dangurangu
I often get the request to teach this piece. This is considered by some to be one of the hardest mbira pieces. This is the version that I play on my CD Ndiro YeMidzimu.
Details:
- This is a detailed lesson of the version I play here.
- 23+ minute high-resolution video.
- Basic Kushaura and basic Kutsinhira broken down slowly.
- Multiple Transcription formats and Western notation.
- Bonus material-some non-transcribed variations-highlines, bass variations, etc.
Guitar: Nhemamusasa Kushaura
In this lesson, we take the basic kushaura directly from the mbira and play it on acoustic guitar. You will play exactly what the mbira plays!
Details:
- You can hear the version you will learn here.
- Basic pattern and low bass variation.
- 17+ minute high resolution video.
- Closeup shots of each hand played very slowly.
- Tablature and Western Notation provided
Guitar: Nhemamusasa Exercises
This lesson will continue where the first two free guitar lessons finished off. We will go deeper into exercises to link the positions that you have learned.
Details:
- High Resolution Video.
- Learn to move from position to position.
- Pull melody lines directly from mbira patterns.
- Learn two low lines and two high lines of Nhemamusasa.