Gahu, part 1

Max Ebb performs on the Boba master drum, playing the social dance, Gahu, of the Ewe people of Ghana, accompanied by his teacher, Jerry Leake on bell, kidi, sogo and shaker.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• african
• dance
• drum
• recitation

[sorelbaid]

I have only played Gahu with the "4 beat bell" as you say, but if that bell "drags" then I think maybe the players need some help!! For me, the $ beat bell always kept me on my toes!! All the sources I have studied outline the "4 beat bell" pattern, which is also how David Locke presents the rhythm in "Drum Gahu" which cites Godwin Agbeli (I believe) as well as Gideon Alorwoyie and others. Its nice to hear variations on these traditional rhythms. Keep it up!

[Kbosh]

@sorelbaid

I play with David Locke every week and nowadays we play the 2-beat only. 4-beat comes from Kinka. Although the 4-beat is correct, the 2-beat is more in use these days. It's all good. And even the top players tend to drag with the 4 bell -- it loses its energy and momentum, in my decades of experience.

[Kbosh]

2-beat bell is common in gahu, keeps the energy high and strong: the 4-beat bell is used, but it really comes from the rhythm "kinka" which can be brought into Gahu. Either bell is fine, but my teachers -- the sons of the late Godwin Agbeli -- only use the 2-beat. For me the 4-beat bell drags and slows the energy -- the 2-beat is like an engine. Hope this helps.

[travisshores]

This kid does a great job with the Locke style here. Keep in mind that the comments below of pronunciation and roles of the drums (i.e. Gboba vs Atsimevu) are from regional perspectives. This rhythm, like many Ewe rhythms, differs in form, technique and drum use, depending on where in Ghana you see it played. The trappings of "correctness" are purely the academics wishing to place a stamp on it. There are MANY ways to execute these dances outside of Accra and the tourist / college areas..

[pjgonzales1]

@Kbosh The piece is called Agahu and the drum your playing is called Agboba. The Gankogui pattern is also varied from the traditional Agahu pattern.



[FiveCollegesDrumming]

@ojassa1 In some folkloric ensembles, or in ensembles, perhaps. However, the vast majority of times I've seen it performed it has always been on the Boba.

[sorelbaid]

very impressive! gahu is one of my favorite rhythms, but we always play the bell as

x--x--x---x---x-, instead of x--x--x-x--x--x- like you play here. I have never heard the bell play that before, is this common?

[ojassa1]

Good job. But, Boba is a hand drum. It's the Atsimevu that plays the rhythms the young is playing on the Boba.

[jbelch1987]

That's whats up.

[pawansahay]

awesome....thats a big ewe drum man. Thats like sogbo jah bless playing :-)