The xylophone is the most important traditional folk instrument on the continent, alongside the drum. Usually, African scales differ from Western ones. The African xylophones mostly have 5, 6, or 7-note (pentatonic, hexatonic, heptatonic) scales, while Western instruments typically have a diatonic scale. Rhythm is the most distinguishing characteristic of African music and it always prevails over the melody.

The songs in this book have been adapted and can be played on all models of popular wooden xylophone, metal glockenspiel (metallophone), or resonator blocks. Even a simple kids' xylophone will be adequate to play most of these songs. Some songs here have been simplified for beginners.

The same song played on a wooden xylophone and on a metallophone will result in very different sounds. Due to their clear rhythmic patterns, African songs are an ideal material for any kind of musician. You will find both diatonic and chromatic scores. Some melodies have been specially transposed to a diatonic range to allow you to play them on the most popular models of xylophone, which normally do not have flat notes.

This book is aimed at those new to music and musical instruments and we put letter notation above the notes to make it possible for you to confidently begin playing.

Since African music assumes improvisation and variation, we recommend using this sheet music only as a guide. The most important thing is to listen and repeat the recordings linked to the QR code, so you can listen to the rhythm before beginning to play.

Contents:

Amawole. Song from Congo

Askari Eee. Song from Tanzania

Atadwe. Song from Ghana

Banaha. Song from Congo

Banuwa. Song from Liberia

Bebe Moke. Song from Congo

Before Dinner. Song from Congo

Bilanga Na Ngai. Song from Congo

o Che Che Koolay. Song from Ghana

Coco Laye-Laye. Song from Congo

Do Do Ki Do. Song from Cameroon

Eh Soom Boo Kawaya. Song from Nigeria

Erile Baboye. Song from South Africa

Famba Naye. Song from Zimbabwe

Funga Alafia. Song from Ghana

Iro Ye. Song from Benin

Kanzenzenze. Song from Congo

Kokoleoko. Song from Liberia

Kotiko. Song from Congo

Kuya Mbio. Song from Tanzania

L'abe igi Orombo. Song from Nigeria

Makun. Song from Mali

Manamolela. Song from South Africa

Mayo Nafwa. Song from Zambia

Mbele Mama. Song from South Africa

Ning Wendete. Song from Kenya

Noyana. Song from South Africa

Obwisana. Song from Ghana

Olélé Moliba Makasi. Song from Congo

Plouf Tizen Tizen. Song from Algeria

Sansa Kroma. Song from Ghana

Sélinguenia. Song from Kenya

Shosholoza. Song from South Africa

Si Ma Ma Ka. Song from Ghana

Si Si Kumbale. Song from South Africa

Sindi. Song from Burkina Faso

Siyahamba. Song from South Africa

Siyanibingelela. Song from South Africa

Stick Passing Song. Song from Uganda

Tue Tue. Song from Ghana

Umele. Song from South Africa

Wa Wa Wa. Song from Congo

Welcome Song. Song from Uganda

Zimbole. Song from South Africa

Zomina. Song from Togo