|
Together with
Emmanuel Gomado, Adjei is
arranging a 4 week course to be held
at the Odehe Center in Ghana in December
2003. (15.12.03-9.01.04)
Primarily
the workshop covers intensive courses in drumming and dancing.
These
apart, teaching and learning of dance
techniques and rhythm patterns also form an integral part of the
workshops.
All
courses will be directed and supervised by Adjei and Emmanuel Gomado
with the assistance of other qualified and experienced dancers and
drummers.
Every
day there will be four hours of dancing and drumming lessons. In the
evenings we will sing traditional songs, which will eventually be
incorporated into the dances.
The
programme also makes provision for small and big excursions, to take
place at weekends. These include visits to the Botanical Gardens in
Aburi and to the forts and castles in Cape-Coast and Elmina. (see Extra
- not included in the course fee)
OBS! The
course fee
will cover the full workshop, accommodations at the Odehe Center, and
two meals a day.
Workshop
Contents: Rhythm
& Drumming – Dancing & Singing
Dancing
During the dance lessons you will not only learn technique, but also
dances and steps. The structure of the lessons encourages the
development of a feeling for the characteristics of African dance, so
that the participants will be able to interpret the movements from
inside their own body out. This process will be intensified through the
contact to the members of the Odehe Dance Company. Dancers and drummers
of the group will accompany the lessons. As they use the Odehe Center
also for their own training, it is possible to watch their lessons.
Body
Exercise / Dance Technique
The exercises are an introduction to the basic positions and elements in
the African movements:
*
firm contact on the ground
*
relief of the back
*
awareness for the movements in our body
*
different rhythms controlling different parts of
the body (polysentric and polyrhythm)
Drumming
Training subjects of drumming are basically drum language and drumming
technique with both hands and sticks. Furthermore we will study the
differences and similarities of rhythms of the various tribes,
essentially 4/4 and 6/8 rhythm, also converting it with hands and
sticks. You will learn the rhythms of the particular instruments (first
and second drum. Solo voice, bell, shaker) as well as the correlation
between those instruments within the complete rhythm.
Rhythm
Theory
Main emphasis of the subject ”rhythm theory” are:
-
* different structures of rhythm, e.g. in comparing 4/4
and 6/8 rhythms
-
* which feeling comes up in your body while playing
-
* how to keep the timing (keep the rhythm with bell or
shaker)
-
* what is the relation between beat and offbeat
-
* how to play different rhythms with your body at the
same time (voice, hands, feet, etc)
Singing
Inseparable from dancing and drumming are the songs. In the evenings we
take time to learn them, in order to integrate them in the drumming- and
dancing lessons. The further training subjects ”drum-building” and
”cultural lectures” offer the possibility to enlarge the
experience of rhythm and movement by gaining an insight into the culture
and habits of Ghanaians.
Extra
* In this context we offer a language course, which is not an
official part of the training programme, but which fits easily into its
timetable. Participants can choose between either Ga, Ewe
or Akan, and lessons take place two or three times a week by
arrangement.
* Different aspects of African culture will be treated in lectures
and discussions guided by Emmanuel, the teachers of the Odehe Center and
guests.
* Furthermore we offer occasional excursions, more or less
extensive, e.g. to the Botanical Garden, another city, a village or to a
ritual celebration, by arrangement.
The
fees for the training programme do not include the fees for the language
course, nor for the excursions, these have to be paid separately on the
spot
|
