Instruments
This is the traditional Ewe-Anlo drum ensemble set. There is one lead drum and three supporting drums. The three supporting drums are called Sogo, Kidi, and Kagan from largest to smallest. These three drums play interlocking rhythms that are based on the repeating timeline played by a double bell called a Gangokui. The drums are said to speak to each other, with certain rhythmic phrases actually corresponding to lines of text. The rhythms can communicate simple message such as "how ya doin'" with a response of "fine". The drums are also supported by a gourd shaker called a Shekre. This same set is used in all Ewe drum/dance songs to varying degrees. Sometimes ensembles may have 20 or 30 people playing at once while others may only have one player of each instrument. Nevertheless, playing as group is essential to the nature of the music. It consists of precisely interlocking rhythms with the pace and feel of each part depending completely upon the playing of the other musicians.(J.Price)
SOGO
The Sogo is the largest of the drum ensemble. The drum is played with two
wooden sticks and is to be hit directly in the center of the skin. The "barrel"
section of the drum is usually made from individual strips of wood that are bent
and hooped with metal just like a regular barrel. Wooden trowels are drilled
into the sides around the drum about 5 inches from the top. They hold on the
goat skin with rope attachments. The skin is soaked for days at a time and then
allowed to dry in the sun. Once it is attached it is dumped upside down and
soaked for 2 days in a bucket of water to allow it to be moist before playing. (J.Chernoff)
The Sogo is responsible for the "back- beat" of the piece. This means that when a piece has a rhythmic feel of a 4 count ("1-2-3-4") the Sogo hits on the "2" and the "4" with mutes on the "1" and "3". It rounds out the count before it cycles again. It has the deepest sound of all the drums and is more powerful when playing parts with fewer hits.
KIDI
The Kidi is the medium sized drum of the ensemble. It is constructed in exactly the same manner as the Sogo, with a barrel technique. As you can see from this Kidi, drums must be hit in the center or it will result in tearing. This drum has been repaired once but may need to be re-skinned soon.
The Kidi is responsible for more complex rhythms but works closely with the Sogo. The sticking method may require a faster series of hits and mutes that are more subtle than that of the Sogo. Usually their parts will be considered 2 parts of the same. The drums play in a "call and response" method that allows for a communication to be heard when they play simultaneously.
KAGAN
The Kagan is the most slender drum of the group. Also a barrel-crafted drum. All three drums also have similar skins stretched across the top. The Kagan is played differently than the Kidi and Sogo. Instead of hitting the drum in the very center with the point of a stick, long slender sticks are used and slapped across the top. The point of the stick lands at about the center and the rest of the stick makes contact with the surface area around the rim.
The hits of Kagan are referred to as the "off-beats". We will often tap our feet in rhythm to music. Usually this will fall on the "down-beat" of the music. It is a natural feeling, because most music's emphasis is on this feeling. However, Ewe drumming (as well as hundreds of other traditions of music across the globe) make good use of the "up-beat" or "off-beat".
Numerically it can be seen as "1**2**3**4**". The stars symbolize the two hits of the Kagan that fall in-between the down-beats of the numbers 1-4. This opens up the entire piece of music and allows for more back and forth communication between the parts.
Shekre
The Shekre is made out of a gourd that has been grown, and has a net of plastic beads strung and attached around the entire bottom surface. The Shekre is similar to a western "shaker" and may be the predecessor to that very instrument. The Shekre will match the bell pattern of the Gangokui and add support to the timeline. Its volume allows the feel of the timeline to avoid being drowned out by the drum set.
Gangokui
The Gangokui is the most important instrument of the entire ensemble. It is made from forged metal pounded out by the village blacksmiths of Ghana. The instrument's form represents a mother carrying a baby on her back. The larger bell has a lower tone while the smaller has a chime like quality.
Timelines (or repeating bell patterns) played on the Gangokui may include both bells, sometimes only one. While playing as a group, it is important for each player to how the part relates to the timeline. If all instruments are following one pattern it is easier for the different musicians to lock in with each other, or pick up when they fall behind. Also, a steady pattern heard and felt throughout a piece is an essential aspect of African music. This is because rhythmic embellishments may play "around" the timeline feel, using the same type of off-beat technique as the Kagan.(J.Price)
For more information on Ewe playing technique.....