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Finding New Ways to Make Sound

Basket Rattles

  • Basket rattles are a way that African dancers were able to enhance the drumbeat making it clearer to the listeners.

  • Frequently dancers wear rattles or shakers wrapped around the arm, wrist, waist, knee, leg or ankle.

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Basket Rattles continued

 

  • They are made out of long leaves making baskets filled with pebbles wearing them on their wrist and ankles.
  • They may consist of a chain of capsules formed by pods, fruits, or nuts.
  • Every time they step or move the rattles shake making a “shushush” sound.
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Tap Shoes

  • Tap shoes consist of 1-2 tap plates attached to a sole and upper with a series of screws or rivets.Tap shoes are often called “two shoes and four taps.” because of this.

  • Depending on how tightly the screws are attached, and the number of screws, determines the sound that you get from your tap shoes. Therefore, the screws are adjustable to achieve the desired sound.

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Tap Shoes Continued

  • Depending on how the tapper uses their foot the tap will make a different sound.

  • Tap dancing mixes two beautiful arts —dancing and making music — into one mesmerizing act. 

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