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Day 3 - Mozambique

We're past halfway! I've learnt a lot so far and am really enjoying the process of putting together such a fun and collaborative art form. Today we explored the Mozambique style, which originated in Southeast Africa and although to the Western ear sounds quite like the conga, it has many different rhythms and the way the ensemble is constructed varies.

When dancing, we learnt some of the steps involved in Mozambique style. It seems a little more difficult than the conga, which is probably why I had never experienced it before but Luanda is a good teacher and we were soon all dancing around the room! Rather than the steps focusing on the feet, Mozambique seems to require more attention to be paid to the arms and involving movement other than simple stepping and walking side to side. The dancers were taught some more complex moves whilst the musicians got our teeth stuck into the rhythmic aspects and tried to tighten up our ensemble skills. I'm starting to notice how much I rush or don't listen to the underlying rhythmic pulse. By using my heels to mark down the tempo whilst playing I find I can highlight these problems!


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