Course: Bata Rhythm Class credits: 2

This course is a hands workshop centred around the rhythms generated by the Cuban Bata drums. The course will be divide in three main parts:

• Assimilation of specific Bata patterns using the voice, body percussion as well as miscellaneous percussion instruments.
• Secondly, you will be asked to compose short modal tunes: (8 to 16 bars), utilising the rhythmic elements of a given style.
• Third, students will perform their compositions with an ensemble.

Bata rhythms stem from the ancient oral tradition of the Yoruba people in West Africa.
A traditional Bata ensemble comprises of:
Okonkolo:           the smallest Bata drum, considered as the time keeper. The Okonkolo plays in support of the Itotole and the Iya drums.
Itotole:                the middle Bata drums, used as a support to the Iya. The Itotole is expected to answer and conversates with the Iya.
Iya:                       the largest drums has stock phrases played by all Iya players. The Iya “calls out” the changes and the rhythmical conversations for the entire Bata ensemble.

Final words, due to the high complex and interactive nature of the Bata rhythms, I strongly believe the
introduction of the Bata would be conducive to a more sophisticated relationship to rhythm in a broad sense,
applicable in double or triple based music and far beyond.