Atsimevu:

The lowest drum in the Eve orchestra is a large barrel drum about five feet in length, played with a stick in one hand and one bare hand. It leads the ensemble and provides the cues.

Suggested sound for bare hand notes: low pitched conga, open and dampened.

Bare hand MIDI map (all channel 10):
 
E3, velocity 127 = an open hit of the drum with the whole hand
E3, velocity 100 = an open hit of the drum with fingers flat
D3, velocity 100 = a dampened slap of the drum with fingers flat
D3, velocity 85  = a dampened slap of the drum with two fingers only

Suggested sound for stick hand notes: taiko drum, head and rim.

Stick hand MIDI map (all channel 10):
 
C#3 = stick on head
C3 = stick on rim

Kagan:

The highest in pitch of all drums in the Eve orchestra is a small narrow drum of the barrel variety. It is played with two sticks and provides a supportive and stabilizing role in the ensemble.

Suggested sounds: African talking drum without pitch modulation, very high tom tom or very high timbale. Use a sample that is more resonant for long notes than short ones. The velocity settings in this file are quite low because this example was set up using the GM high timbale, which is too loud in relationship to the other drums for this use.

MIDI map (all channel 10):
 
F3, length lower than 30 = stick on head to make sound "ka"
F3, length higher than 30 = stick on head to make sound "gan"

Sogo/Kidi:

The sogo and kidi are medium sized barrel drums that play in rhythmic unison. The kidi is slightly smaller and higher in pitch than the sogo. They are played with two sticks.

Suggested sounds: high taiko drum, African talking drum without pitch modulation, or high tom tom; rim sound.

MIDI map (all channel 10):
 
C3 = stick on rim open
C3, length 15 = stick on rim, dampened by not letting stick bounce
D#3 = stick on head
D3 = stick on head, dampened by not letting stick bounce

Gankogui:

A forged iron double bell played with a metal rod provides the unifying rhythm which keeps the whole orchestra in time.

Suggested sounds: agogo, cowbell.

MIDI map (channel 10):
 
G#2 = gankogui

Axatse:

A rattle made of a calabash gourd with a bead net, played by hitting it downwards on to the thigh or upwards against the left hand while holding it in the right hand, it provides a background rhythm for the ensemble.

Suggested sounds: rattle, shaker, or maracas.

MIDI map (channel 10):
 
A#3 = axatse

 

---

© info. E-mail: info@ancient-future.com . This site is supported by sales from the catalog. Support world music: buy direct from the artists!