In this lesson, we look at a basic "chord" progression that is common with Nhemamusasa, and many other mbira style songs.

If you are in the key of C, the "chords" (actually diads of the root and fifth) would be:

• C-E-A
• C-F-A
• D-F-A
• C-E-G

By doing these two different examples, you can start to feel different starting points for the different chords within the cycle and moving away from a singular starting point, and even moving away from "phrase" relationships of 4 phrases to a song.

Next Steps: After you have mastered these two positions, you can find the other three positions on these first two strings. Start working up decending lines that move through all five positions. Find different points within the cycle to jump back up.

In this lesson, we look at a basic "chord" progression that is common with Nhemamusasa, and many other mbira style songs.

If you are in the key of C, the "chords" (actually diads of the root and fifth) would be:

• C-E-A
• C-F-A
• D-F-A
• C-E-G

By doing these two different examples, you can start to feel different starting points for the different chords within the cycle and moving away from a singular starting point, and even moving away from "phrase" relationships of 4 phrases to a song.

Next Steps: After you have mastered these two positions, you can find the other three positions on these first two strings. Start working up decending lines that move through all five positions. Find different points within the cycle to jump back up.

This is a version taught to me by Newton Gwara when we were living and playing together in 1999-2001. In his interesting way of twisting the traditional lyrics, he sings about the 'Nhengure' bird. He sings about how he hears the bird singing so he knows it is time to leave for kumusha (the village). You can hear his Studio recording of this song on his album, Nhengure, found here: Newton Gwara CD.

You can view a much more in-depth lesson of this version here.

Kanotamba Mubani means something small dancing in the veld. Like a little bird flying in a valley. This refers to the spirit of a deceased person who has not had the proper ceremonies performed for their spirit to return to become an ancestral spirit for their family. So they fly aimlessly.

I like to think that we play this song to help those spirits find their way back to their families. This was taught to me by Sekuru Chaka Chawasarira, but it's been several years now, so I do my own things in it (for better or worse, ha!) Enjoy.

Below is a transcription of the basic pattern played on the video. Thanks to Robert for the transcription.

A recording of my teacher, Chaka Chawasarira can be heard at Mhumhi Records

Next Steps: There is more discussion of this song and some variations that are performed on the video at our matepe forum HERE

This is the first part for Muchenjedza Mutonga as taught to me by Chaka Chawasarira. This is often the first matepe song a person learns.

Next Steps: You can hear a recoding of Chaka Chawasarira playing this and other matepe songs at Mhumhi Records.

This is a lesson that goes over the first 6 parts of the 22 part Mozambiquean Nyanga panpipe orchestra. The names of the six parts are:

• Pagira
• Giriri
• Kabombo
• Gandamo
• Nyabzvrudzi
• Piko-Piko

Below is the numbering for each part. The "." indicates where you sing the note. Please watch the video to follow along with the proper rhythm.

• Pagira: .2 .2 .2 .1 .2 .2 .3 .4
• Giriri: .2 .3 .2 .3 .2 .4 .1 .2
• Kabombo: .1 .3 .2 .2 .1 .3 .3 .4
• Gandamo .4 .2 .4 .3 .2 .4 .1 .2
• Nyabzvrudzi 2.4.2 2.3.2 2.4.1 1.4.2
• Piko-Piko 2.4.3 3.2.5 2.4.4 1.2.5

You can hear a recording I made of a 13 piece Nyanga group and view pictures of the group here: Cancune Nyanga group

Next Steps:
There are articles of Nyanga music that can be found at ILAM and through the work of Andrew Tracey. Also, I teach Nyanga workshops at Zimfest and at my master classes so that would be a good way to learn more.