For professional musicians.
 

This workshop is organized around a request from a company of percussionists who wish to enrich their repertoire by learning polyphonic rhythms with Beninese bells as their main percussion instrument. We would like to open up this space to other musicians interested in this particular work.
Aristide Goudalo, a traditional dancer and percussionist from Benin's Voodoo culture, will be in France this summer. During this intensive workshop, he will be proposing the polyphonic sounds of certain Gan-Kéké based on traditional rhythms, i.e. a simultaneous combination of sounds that harmonize with each other while retaining their individuality. Bells or Gongs accompany all Beninese rhythms, but they hum different melodies depending on the rhythms played. Tchingounmey, Zinli, Sakpata, Agbo-tché-bou... each with its own deities and history.

Aristide also transmits songs rooted in Voodoo culture. The Assans or Chékérés are the essential percussion instruments for establishing a deep connection with spiritual beings. The rhythms and tones produced by the Assan serve as a means of communication with deities and ancestors. 
When the traditional songs and Assans are added to the Gan-kéké, we say “adjo sô gbé”, which can be translated as “everything is ready”, or the ceremony and festivities can begin. 

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