KROBOTO AND TOTODZI – Master & Support Drum

Kroboto / totodzi

 

kidi

The kroboto or totodzi are two more types of drums, essentially the same, differing only in pitch. These are the smallest master drums used by the Ewe. They measure lengthwise around eighteen inches. The two drums are not only used as master drums in some songs but sometimes play the same role as the kidi (The kidi is a mid-sized drum also played with two wooden sticks. It functions mostly as a supporting drum). The kroboto and totodzi are always played with two wooden sticks, and their player is usually seated.

ATOKE, the banana bell

The atoke is a forged iron bell instrument and is always shaped in the form a banana or a boat.  When playing the atoke, the player holds in his weak palm the banana-shaped instrument and plays it with a forged-iron rod with his strong hand. The atoke serves the same purpose as the gankogui and is sometimes used instead of or a substitute for the gankogui.

ATSIMEVU

The ATSIMEVU is a popularly known as the grandfather of all the ewe musical instruments and the tallest of all. It has a carved body of about 4 ½ feet tall and has a drum head of about 9 inches in diameter which is mostly made from animal skin. In order to play the atsimevu, the drummer should stand parallel to the drum which is tilted against a stand known as vudetsi, bringing the height of the drum head below the chest for a good leverage and aiming position. It is played with two sticks or stick and hand.

INTRODUCTION

‘’MADE IN GHANA’’ is an entertainment blog which seeks to discover and enlighten how most of all the Ghanaian musical instruments came to being and played.

We unearth the musical instruments which are not heard of now-a-days and their functions in the olden days.

Gourd Rattle - Axatse

The gourd rattle is a hollowed-out gourd covered with a net of seeds or beads. It is popularly known as AXATSE in the volta region of Ghana and being played in many different numbers of ways. When sitting down, it is held at the handle and in the players strong hand and is shaken up hitting the hand and down hitting the thigh making two different sounds. It is mostly played alongside with the gankogui to enrich and reinforce what the gankogui plays. Conclusively, the gourd rattle populary known as axatse in the ewe land gives energy to the music and drives the music. The axatse produces a dry ratting but energetic sound.

Follow the link to have an audio feel of the axatse  http://mp3twit.com/o2G