matanzas guaganco, yambu, columbia

[Obi]

Yanvalou has a more religious context than Yambu or Guaguanco.
It is the opening section of the Rada battery of Vodoun rhythms.

Yanvalou is played slower to facilitate the serpentine movements
employed by the dancers. ???


It is a rhythm played for Papa Loko who is the guardian Lwa of priests & is often used to salute other Lwa as well such as Legba, Danbala and others. I have heard that on occasion the tempo may be altered to suit the dance movements & songs of other Lwa, But I can't confirm this...

These are the "high" spirits of the Vodoun Pantheon. The Lwa are akin in nature to the Orisa of the Yoruba & Lucumi cultures and many of whom share similar names & attributes. :;):

I would compare Yanvalou not to Yambu, but more likely to rhythms played for Olokun or possibly, Latokpa or Lalubanche as heard in the Yoruba and Lucumi traditions.

Obi

[Berimbau]

Dear Obi,
Thanks for the information. It seems that from your past postings that you are a musician with a very diverse area of interest and experience. Unfortunately my own Haitian musical experience is strictly limited to making and playing the vaccine bamboo trumpets and a couple of Petro rhythms on conga.
However, in my previous post I was only referring to the choreography of these two Caribbean dances as there is obviously a huge difference between Yanvalou's nonsecular cultural context and that of Yambu's obvious secular one. It would still be great to hear from a Caribbean dance authority. Anyone got Katherine Dunham's email? Given the close relationship between dance and tumbadoras, wouldn't it be helpful to include a dance section in this forum?

Saludos,


Berimbau

[Obi]

In truth, almost everything I have learned that really matters...
I have learned from dancers :p

You are most correct with the idea that perhaps we should have a board dedicated to dance or at least postings from dancers...


It is one thing entirely to learn how a rhythm should be played, but in my opinion the best teachers are those who use our grooves to move.

My late grandmother was a dancer who performed with the likes of Buddy Rich & Gene Krupa (boy, did she have stories...) Many of the dance troupes for which I have played, explained the purposes for each dance and how each "move" should feel for the dancer.
(let alone how it looks to the audience )

I won't even go into how some tasty "booty" moves can be enjoyably yet dangerously distracting for the drummer... :p

"Jigi jigi Isapa!"

Obi[CODE][/CODE]

[EDSEG6ES]

WHATS UP RUMBEROS FROM THE BAY AREA ! I HAVE BEEN PLAYING CONGAS FOR THREE YEARS NOW AND CANT FIND ANY RUMBEROS THAT WHAT TO JAM AND IMPROVE THERE PLAYING WITH OTHER BEGINERS. I DONT KONW IF ITS AN EGO THING OR WHAT BUT ANY BODY WILLING TO HOOK UP JUST EMAIL ME .I HAVE THE PATTERSN FOR GUAGUANCO AND COLOMBIA BROKEN DOWN FOR EACH DRUM IT WOULD BE A GREAT WAY TO LEARN AND PRACTICE.