This lively song from Tanzania provides a rhythmic framework for joining in with body percussion, percussion, strings and wind.
The video
Chum Chum Pah
This lively song from Tanzania provides a rhythmic framework for joining in with body percussion (slap, slap, click), hand drums (drum, drum, drum), hand percussion (shake and scrape), string instruments (twang and bow), wind instruments (blow and buzz) and then every sound!
You could gather available instruments then arrange several different groups (up to five) around the classroom to perform in turn, or mime any instruments which aren’t at hand.
There is also a chorus for everyone to join in, saying, singing or playing. This has a semi-spoken chant rhythm (‘Chum Chum Pah’) and the words ‘karilengay kalengana’ about the strength of the lion being in its tail. They use a five-note pentatonic scale, using C, D, E, G, A, and a low A.
Follow the blobs on screen to find the exact shape of the melody, which could also be played by xylophone, mbira (thumb piano), keyboards or any melody instrument that can play these notes.
The accompaniment features especially the notes C and G on marimba in the ‘Chum Chum Pahs’. Tuned percussion can playalong with those notes in these sections.
Resources
Teacher Notes
Download / print the Teacher Notes for the series (pdf)
Download audio
Download the audio file for this music video (mp3)
