Students will learn the basic patterns to Chemutengure. Variations will be taught if time permits.

In this introductory instrumental workshop, students will learn a very simple nyunga nyunga piece called Kukaiwa (“to be bothered”) composed by Dumisani Maraire. Within the learning of this piece, students will explore some of the basic Shona musical concepts as passed down by Dumi.

Your first mbira lesson! You will learn how to hold the instrument, listen to mbira, and basic concepts, as well as learning the mbira piece Kariga mombe (Undefeatable). If you are thinking of learning mbira, but have never tried it, this workshop is for you.

For first time mbira players. In Zimbabwe, the first mbira piece taught is Kariga mombe (Undefeatable, literally The Bullfighter.)

Learn the kushaura and kutsinhira parts to this song of encouragement to fighters.

The ngano (traditional story) of the Eagle, the Owl and the Rabbit — whose mbira is it? The first part of this workshop (for everyone) will be the story, and learning the song that goes with it. The second part of the workshop (for mbira students only) will be the kushaura and kutsinhira mbira parts for the song.

Learn the kushaura part and a high line to this beautiful traditional mbira piece, also the kutsinhira part if time permits.

Learn the kushaura part and some variations, time permitting. Dande is an area in northern Zimbabwe known for its salt deposits.

For those looking to expand on the basic kushaura and kutsinhira parts of Nhemamusasa. We’ll explore different approaches to variations, look at moving between parts, and learn one or two classic examples.

Description not yet available.

The class will choose the song for this class, for example, Mbavarira (Determination), Ngozi yemuroora (The revengeful spirit of the daughter in law), Bembero (Happiness of celebration), or Ndomutenda mambo (I thank you, Chief).

For those who already know this song, learn Fungai Mujuru’s version. Lots of great kushaura variations! The title means “On top of the mountain named after the Nhowe clan” (aka “Nyamaropa of the Nhowe clan”).

David Gweshe will talk about the spiritual content and context of the mbira. He will take the song Chipembere as an example for different regional name versions to the mbira songs. In the Kore-Kore version, this number would be “Chikomo che Hurungwe.” He will teach the music from his mbira so that the players of the mbira they call “DzaVadzimu” will learn the piece.

Learn kushaura and kutsinhira variations to Mukai tiende — “Wake up, let’s go” (must already know a minimum of one kushaura and one kutsinhira to the piece). Forward has many unique styles of playing this piece, so you will learn something new, no matter how many versions you know...

Delve into traditional Shona rhythm and song while focusing on the traditional piece Chigamba in nyamaropa tuning.

The first class will introduce participants to the song Kare Mugomba. We will cover the basic kushaura part, one of the high lines, and accompanying singing lines. The second class will cover the kutsinhira line, which is almost identical to one of the kutsinhira parts to Taireva, and can be modified to fit with the Taireva kushaura part.

Explore various styles of kutsinhira parts with Nhema musasa — we will work on ones that no one in the group knows, so no problem if you already know a few.

In this workshop David Gweshe will work with musicians on ways to relate different instruments (guitars, drums, etc.) to the marimba and mbira. The workshop is for all musicians: mbira, marimba, guitar, trumpet, drums, whatever.