We were sixteen making an energetic start to this new session.
After warming up, loosening the joints and finding that good posture, to instrumental music, flute, harp and pipes by the Whistlebinkies, in 8 beat metre, we moved on to listening and moving to beautiful voice music in 7 beat metre by Bobby McFerrin & Co._ quite a different "feel" and very unusual to our ears. Interesting to discover how a rhythm that seems unnatural at the outset can begin to feel settled and comfortable as the music progresses.
White Swans sung as a round, sounded good and composed as it is from downward scales, is a good instrumental exercise. Transferring the tune on to instruments and playing them in a 3- part round allowed us to make a complete piece in the form, instrumental - song - instrumental.
SENJUA, the African song of welcome, we sang in 3 -part harmony and similarly transferred our voice parts to the instruments.
After many repeats, it began to sound good.
The break was noisy and congenial _ there was much catching up to do after the long summer holiday.
We look forward to more happy music making and socialising next week.
