Jin-Go-La-Ba (Drums of Passion)
Babatunde Olatunji
Alternative embedded performance: Babatunde Olatunji — Jin-Go-Lo-Ba, live in San Francisco (1986). The preferred recording remains linked on YouTube.
First listen
Listen once without writing. What do you notice?
Listen closely
1 RHYTHMWhich drum pattern repeats?
Sentence stemThe ___ drum pattern repeats.
Vocabulary
- low
- high
- steady
- short
2 TEXTUREHow do the drum and vocal layers fit together?
Sentence stemThe texture has ___.
Vocabulary
- one layer
- several layers
- call and response
- everyone together
3 STRUCTUREWhat signals a new section?
Sentence stemA new section begins when ___.
Vocabulary
- a new rhythm starts
- voices enter
- the volume changes
- the pattern stops
4 DYNAMICSHow does the energy change between a call and the full response?
Sentence stemThe response is ___ than the call because ___.
Vocabulary
- louder
- fuller
- stronger
- more voices join
5 TIMBREHow do the different drum sounds and voices contrast?
Sentence stemThe ___ sounds ___, while the ___ sounds ___.
Vocabulary
- low drum
- high drum
- voice
- deep
- bright
- sharp
How does this piece make you feel?
There is no right or wrong answer. Which words match your response?
calmexcitedhopefulcuriousjoyfulpowerfulpeacefultensedreamybravethoughtfulenergeticmysteriouscomfortedrestlessproudsadsurprisedupliftedfocused
Music through time
1959 · Yoruba-influenced drumming
- Medieval500–1400
- Baroque1600–1750
- Classical1750–1820
- Romantic1820–1900
- 20th century1900–2000
- Contemporary2000–present