One of many ways to lead a group of performers is the so-called “call and response,” which is actually a compositional technique. The leader “calls” by singing and/or playing a musical phrase. The “other” (be it students, audience, or someone else) responds with another musical phrase.
One of the most famous call and response examples is that of Freddie Mercury prepping his audience at Live Aid (Wembley Stadium, London, 1985).
I am interested in “call and response” for it is a handy way to lead a group of beginning ukulele students in music. They may copy what I do or respond with a different phrase. Years ago when I was teaching the Music in World Cultures course at University of Hawaii Maui College, I mentioned that “call and response” has its roots in Africa. It is this interest that prompted me to organise “African Music for Guitar and Ukulele” workshop for South African guitarist Derek Gripper in early March 2019.
For the annual ukulele festival of Boston — on the North Shore (Massachusetts), I will be leading a “call and response” workshop. The Ukulele Melee 2019 takes places on Saturday May 4th at the Cutler School in Hamilton, MA. My ukulele group “The Choco-leles” will debut at the Open Mic with a few songs. To prepare for this workshop, I will tryout the different song sheets in my weekly adult education education classes.
Banana Boat Song (Day O)
Do Wah Diddy
California Dreamin’
Pearly Shells
Under the Boardwalk
We Will Rock You
Last year, I gave a workshop called “Transpose to Compose” at the Ukulele Melee 2018.