Learn to play the African marimba on this relaxed 5 week workshop series exploring folk songs from southern Africa.

Some of the things you will learn on this workshop series include:

• A repertoire of folk songs from southern Africa

• An understanding of the cultural context of each song

• Confidence to play on soprano, tenor and baritone marimbas

• Confidence to play several variations interchangeably on each song

• The ability to sing some basic vocal lines to the songs you learn

The workshop series will conclude with the opportunity to perform for a friendly audience of family and friends for those who wish to take part.

Workshop dates: Sunday 6th Oct, Sunday 13th Oct, Sunday 20th Oct, Sunday 27th Oct and Sunday 3rd Nov.

Time: 12:15 - 13:15

Duration: 5 weeks (Extra date added)

Tutor: Otto Gumaelius

Location: St Peters North Community Centre, 1 Marian Place, London E2 9AP

Cost: £10 per session

How to book: https://www.outsavvy.com/event/22257/play-the-african-marimba-from-zimbabwe-5-week-workshop-series

About Marimba

Full of buzzing sound and energy, the marimba is a wonderful instrument to play. A typical Zimbabwean marimba ensemble is made up of soprano, tenor, baritone and bass marimbas. They are acoustic instruments, making them easy to set up, and they are played using two sticks. Zimbabwean marimbas came into extistance in the 1960s at Kwanongoma College of African Music in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, which specialised in African music and teacher training. The marimba was developed as a uniquely African instrument for instruction. Today the instruments are played across southern Africa.

About Otto

Otto Gumaelius is a London based, Botswana raised, percussionist specialising in the Kwanongoma marimba and mbira nyunga nyunga of southern Africa. He writes and performs with his band Otto & The Mutapa Calling, and teaches music from Zimbabwe, South Africa and Botswana through his cultural arts and events company, Taste of Southern Africa. He is also a published author with a 1st Class Master of Arts Honours Degree in International Management.