Kenken (bell)

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Kenken bell on Sangban dunun

Kenken is an African iron bell (also Bambara or Malinké bell) that is traditionally used in conjunction with dunun drums and djembes . She plays in West African music, for example B. in the musical culture of the Ewe , a central role.

Design

The bell is forged from one piece of steel and consists of two uniform bell halves that are connected to each other by a bar. They are available in different, longer or wider forms and the resulting different pitches. The kenken is usually attached to a dunun , with the lower half of the bell connected to the tension cords of the drum.

Style of play

Typical bell pattern of the Kenken ( Play ? / I )Audio file / audio sample

The kenken is played with a metal pen (often a nail, screwdriver, etc.), which gives the typical sound rich in overtones. While the (lying) drum is beaten with the right hand, the left hand plays polyrhythmic structures on the kenken . The Kenken play a continuous rhythmic basic pattern on which the bass melodies are built.

Occasionally, several different tuned kenken are tied on a dunun. The bell is also played individually, then it is held in the left hand.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. Ruth Stone: The Garland Handbook of African Music . Routledge, 2015, ISBN 978-1-138-13329-7 .
  2. Djembe and Dunun (the bass drums) have been conquering the entire globe with their music since the 80s. Retrieved June 8, 2017 .