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 FOREWORD

In this module, the learners will learn and understand

the characteristic features of Afro-Latin American music
that will help students to widen and deepen their minds in
understanding its culture and many musical instruments
that are made from natural elements. You will be
encouraged to get involved by performing vocal and
dance forms of Afro-Latin American music and selections
of popular music. This module is designed for you to know
on how different forms of music reflect the life of the
people of a certain country or region.

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 OBJECTIVES:

At the end of the lesson, the learners should be able to:

- Identify the characteristics of Afro-Latin American musical
instruments and it’s classification;
- Create an improvised Afro-Latin American musical
instruments.
- Perform selected Afro-Latin American and Popular music;
LEARNING COMPETENCIES

- explores ways of creating sounds on a variety of sources

suitable to chosen vocal and instrumental selections;
- performs selections of Afro-Latin American and popular
music in appropriate pitch, rhythm, style, and expression;
- evaluates music and music performances using guided
rubrics

WHAT HAPPENED

PRE-ASSESSMENT

Identify the musical instruments of Afro-Latin American music.

Choose the best answer from the options below. Write the letter
on the space provided before each number.
____1.It is a pitched percussion instrument with bars made from logs or bamboo.
a. Agogo b. Atingting kon c. Balafon d. Dejembe
____2. It is a single bell or multiple bells that had its origins in original Yoruba music as well
as in the samba bateria ensemble. It is the “oldest samba instrument”.
a. Agogo b. Atingting kon c. Balafon d. Dejembe
____3. It is a vessel made of seashells, tin, basketry, animal hoofs, horn, wood, metal
cocoons pallm kernels or tortoise shells.
a. Agogo b. Atingting kon c. Rasp d. Rattles
____4. It is a slit gongs used as communication between villages.
a. Agogo b. Atingting kon c. Balafon d. Dejembe
____5. It is a type of gourd and shell megaphone from West Africa, consisting of a dried
gourd with beads woven into a net covering the gourd.
a. Dejembe b. Slit drum c. Rasp d. Shekere
____6. It is a hollow percussion instrument and referred to as a drum, it is more of an
idiophone.
a. Dejembe b. Slit drum c. Rasp d. Shekere

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____7. This instrument is used to send messages to announce births, death, marriages,
sporting events, dances, initiation or war.
a. Body Percussion b. Lamellaphone
c. Talking Drum d. Musical bow

____8.It is a classification of instruments, usually drums, which have vibrating animal

membranes.
a. Aerophone b. Idiophones
c. Chordophones d. Membranophones
____9. Africa’s most sophisticated harp, while also having features similar to a lute.
a. Earth Bow b. Lute
c. Kora d. Musical bow
____10. It is the ancestor of all string instruments.
a. Earth Bow b. Lute
c. Kora d. Musical bow
____11. These are single-reed pipes made from hollow guinea corn or sorghum stems,
where the reed is a flap partially cut from the stem near one end.
a. Horns b. Reed pipes
c. Trumpets d. Panpipes
_____12. It is a bamboo flute from Ghana.
a. Atenteben b. Kudo horn
c. Fulani flutes d. Whistles
_____13. It is a flute variety from the Aztec culture made of clay with decorations of
abstract designs or images of their deities.
a. Concha b. Tlapitzalli
c. Huehueti d. Ocarina
_____14. It is an upright tubular drum used by the Aztecs and other acient civilizations.
a. Concha b. Tlapitzalli
c. Huehueti d. Ocarina
_____15. it is an ancient vessel flute made of clay or ceramic with four to 12 finger holes
and a mouthpiece that projects from the body.
a. Huehueti b. Teponaztli
c. Ocarina d. Zampoñas
_____16. It is a wind instrument usually made from the shell of a large sea snail.
a. Concha b. Tlapitzalli
c. Huehueti d. Ocarina
_____17. It is a vertical duct flute with a mouthpiece similar to that of a recorder.
a. Charango b. Siku
c. Quena d. wooden Tarka
_____18. It is a ten- stringed Andean guitar from Bolivia.
a. Charango b. Siku
c. Quena d. wooden Tarka
_____19. It is a vertical cane flute made from bamboo.
a. Charango b. Siku
c. Quena d. wooden Tarka
_____20. The pipes are made from bamboo tubes, but have been made from condor
feathers, bone and many other materials.
a. Charango b. Siku
c. Quena d. wooden Tarka

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 WHAT TO LEARN

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS OF AFRICA

African music incorporates all the major instrumental genres of Western music,
including strings, winds, and percussion along with a tremendous variety of specific
African musical instruments for solo or ensemble playing.

CLASSIFICATION OF TRADITIONAL AFRICAN INSTRUMENTS

A. Idiophones
These are percussion instruments that are either struck with a mallet or against one
another.
The balafon is a West African xylophone. It is pitched percussion
instrument with bars made from logs or bamboo.
The xylophone is originally an Asian instrument that follows the
structure of a piano. From Asia, it went to Africa, then to Americas
Image: woodbrass.com
and Europe.
The rattles are vessels made of seashells, tin, basketry, animal
hoofs, horn, wood, metal, cocoons, palm kernels, or tortoise
shells. These may range from single to several objects that are
eitherjoined or suspended to create sound as they hit each
Image: wikipedia.com
other.

The agogo is a single bell or multiple bells that had its origins iin
traditional Yoruba music as well as in the samba bateria
(percussion) ensembles. The agogo may be called “ the oldest
samba instrument based on West African Yoruba single or
Image: wikipedia.com double bells”. It has the highest pitch among the bateria
instruments.
The atingting kon are slit gongs used as communication between
villages. Traditionally, they were carved out of wood to resemble
ancestors and had a slit opening at the bottom. In certain cases,
their sound carry for miles through the forest and across water to
neighboring islands. Gong “languages” composed of a series of
beats and pauses, made it possible to send highly specific
Image: wikipedia.com messages.
The West African djembe (zhembay) is one of the best known
African drums. It is shaped like a large goblet and played with
bare hands. The body is carved from a hollowed trunk and is
covered with goat skin.
Image: suggestkeyword.com
The SHEKERE is a type of gourd and shell megaphone from West
Image: wikipedia.com
Africa, consisting of a dried gourd with beads woven into a net
covering the gourd. The agbe is another dried gourd with cowrie
shells or beads usually strung with white cotton thread. The axatse
is a small gourd, held by the neck and placed between hand
and leg.
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 The slit drum is a hollow percussion instrument. Although referred
to as a drum, it is more of an idiophone.
It is usually carved or constructed from bamboo or wood into a
box with one or more slits in the top. Most slit drums have one slit,
though two or three slits (cut into the shape of an “H”) occur. If
the resultant tongues are different in width or thickness, the drum
Image: en.wikipedia.com can produce two different pitches.
A rasp, or scraper is a hand percussion instrument whose sound is
produced by scraping the notches on a piece of wood
(sometimes elaborately carved) with a stick, creating a series of
rattling effects.

Image: en.wikipedia.com

B. Membranophones
Membranophones are instruments, usually drums, which have vibrating animal
membranes. Their shapes may be conical, cylindrical, barrel, hour-glass, globular, or kettle,
and are played with sticks, hands, or a combination of both.
Body percussion- African people frequently use their bodies as
musical instruments. Aside from using their voices-since many of
them are superb singers-they also clap their hands, slap their
thighs, pound their upper arms or chests, or shuffle and stomp
their feet.

Image: en.wikipedia.com
Talking drum is used to send messages to announce births,
deaths, marriages, sporting events, dances, initiation or war. An
example of talking drum is luna.

Image: en.wikipedia.com

C. Chordophones
Chordophones are instruments which produce sounds from the vibration of strings.
These includes bows, harps, lutes, zithers, lyres of various sizes.
Musical Bow is the ancestor of all string instruments. It is the oldest and one of the most
widely-used string instruments of Africa.
Image: en.wikipedia.com

Image: en.wikipedia.com

Earth bow also called ground bow or

Image: en.wikipedia.com pit harp-consists of a flexible pole
Mouth bow which is planted in the ground. A
Resonator bow is a
consists of a single string is attached to one end of the
from of the mouth
string attached to pole, while the other end of the string
bow with a calabash
each end of a is attached to a stone, a piece of
resonator attached
curved stick, bark or small piece of wood which is
and its mid point.
similar to a bow then planted in a hole dug in the
and arrow. ground, thus bending the pole.

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 The kora is Africa’s most sophisticated harp, while also having
features similar to lute.

Image: en.wikipedia.com

Lute – originating from the Arabic states, is shaped like the

modern guitar and played similar fashion. West African plucked
lutes include the konting, khalam, and the nkoni.

Image: en.wikipedia.com

The zither is a stringed instrument with varying sizes and shapes

whose strings are stretched along its body.

Image: en.wikipedia.com

The zeze is a fiddle from Sub-Saharan Africa played with a bow,

a small wooden stick, or plucked with the fingers. It has one or
two strings, made of steel or bicycle brake wire.
Image: en.wikipedia.com

D. Aerophones
Aerophones are musical instruments that produce sound primarily by trapping or
enclosing a body or column of air and causing it to vibrate.

1. Flutes – are widely used throughout Africa.

Image: pablosalcedo.org

Image: africandrumming.com.au Image: Amazon.com

Atenteben – is a bamboo Fulani Flute – is a traditional Panpipes – consist of
flute from Ghana. It is flute of the Fulani people. It is cane pipes of different
played vertically like the also known as fula or tambin lengths tied in a row or
European recorder. which is the traditional Fulani in a bundle held
flute of the Fouta Djalon together by wax or a
highlands of Guinea. cord, and generally
closed at the bottom
2. Horns – horns and trumpets are found almost everywhere in Africa, and are
commonly made from elephant tusks and animal horns.

KUDU HORN – is one type of hornmade from the hornof the kudu
antelope. It releases a mellow and warm sound that adds a unique
African accent to the music

Image: streamafrica.com

3. Reed pipes – These are single reed-pipes made from hollow

guinea corn or sorghum stems, where the reed is a flap partially
cut from the stem near one end. Image: arncastillon.wordpress.com

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4. Whistles– are found throughout the continent and may be Image:ancientpoint.com
made of wood or other materials. Short pieces of horn serve as
whistles, often with a short tube inserted into the mouthpiece.

AFRICAN WHISTLES
5. Trumpets– African trumpets are made of wood, metal,
animal horns, elephant tusks, and gourds, ornamented with
snake or crocodile skin or the hide of zebras, leopards, and
other animals.
Image:hamillgallery.com

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS OF LATIN AMERICA

The varied cultures that developed in Latin America gave rise to different types of
wind and percussion instruments. As with the African continent, Latin America’s rich
history, dating back thousands of years to the Aztec, Maya and other ancient cultural
groups, understandably generated diverse creative approaches to making music.

Aztec and Mayan Instruments

In Central America, the ancient civilizations of the Aztec and Maya peoples
used various instruments mainly for religious functions and these were usually played
by professional musicians.
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The tlapitzalli is a flute variety from the Aztec culture made of

clay with decorations of abstract designs or images of their
deities.

Image: woodbrass.com
The teponaztli is a Mexican slit drum hollowed out and carved
from a piece of hardwood. It is then decorated with designs in
relief or carved to represent human figures or animals to be
used for both religious and recreational purpose.
Image: wikipedia.com

The concha is a wind instrument usually made from the shell of

a large sea snail.it is prepared by cutting a hole in the shell’s
spine near the apex, then blown into as if it were a trumpet.
Image: wikipedia.com

The rasp is a hand percussion instrument whose sound is

produced by scraping a stick (or a similar object) that has a
series of indentations or notches with another stick, creating
Image: wikipedia.com rattling effects.

The huehueti is an upright tubular drum used by the Aztecs

and other ancient civilizations. It is made of made of wood
opened at the bottom and standing on three legs cut from
the base. Its top membrane of stretched animal skin is beaten
by the hand or a wooden mallet.
Image: Ancientpoint.com
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 Whistles are instruments made of natural elements such as
bone from animals. The eagle-bone whistle is the most
common. It produces a series of high-pitched notes which are
similar to the cry of an eagle.

Image: Slideshare.net

Ican Musical Instruments

Among the Incans of South America, two instrumental varieties were most
common:

Zamponas or panpipes are ancient

The ocarina is an ancient vessel instruments from Andes Mountains of South
flute made of clay or ceramic America. They typically feature bamboo
with four to 12 finger holes and a tubes of different lengths tied together either
mouthpiece that projects from in pairs or more to produce graduated
the body. pitches of sound.

Andean Musical Instruments

The Andean highlands also had their own varieties of flutes and string instruments that
include the following:

The tarka is a vertical duct The siku (panpipe) is

flute with a mouthpiece originally from the Aymaras
similar to that of a recorder. it of Peru and Bolivia. It is
is used during the rainy traditionally found all across
season and in tribal the Andes, and is the main
ceremonies to mimic bird instrument used in a musical
sounds. It sounds very genre known as sikuri.
permitive, soft, and mellow
with a rasp in the low range.

The quena is a vertical cane flute made The charango is a ten-stringed Andean
from fragile bamboo. Thus it only used guitar from Bolivia. It is the size of a ukulele
during dry season. It has six finger holes and is similar version of the mandolin,
and one thumb hole. It is open on both imitating the early guitar and lute brought
ends or the bottom is half-closed. by the Spaniards. It produces bright sounds
and is often used in serenades in Southern
Peru.

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 The mariachi is an extremely popular
band in Mexico whose original ensemble
consisted of violins, guitars, a harp, and
an enormous guitarron (acoustic bass
guitar). Trumpets later replaces the harp.
Mariachi music is extremely passionate
and romantic with its blended harmonies
and catchy rhythms. Its musicians are
distinctly dressed in wide-brimmed hats,
jackets, and pants adorned with silver
buttons

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

Activity 1

CLASSIFICATION OF TRADITIONAL AFRICAN

INSTRUMENTS

Process Questions:
1. What are the characteristics in each classification of African music?
2. Briefly describe the nature and qualities of the following categories of African
musical instruments listed above?
3. Name some African musical instruments from each of the above categories.
4. Describe how African musical instruments are sourced from the environment.
Give examples.

RUBRICS OF PERFORMANCE

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Activity 2

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS OF LATIN AMERICA

Write your answer in your answer sheet.

1. What are the different types of

musical instruments of Latin American
music? Briefly describe the
characteristics of each instruments.

2. Name and describe

at least one instruments
from the musical
instruments of Latin
America?

3. What are the distinct

characteristics of the mariachi
band?

RUBRICS OF PERFORMANCE

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 Activity 3
MAKING IMPROVISED AFRICAN AND LATIN
AMERICAN INSTRUMENTS
Individual Activity

Directions: Kindly read and understand the guidelines for your

performance task written below.

1. Make improvised African or Latin American instruments using dried vegetables,

scraps of leather, bamboo, wood, strips of roofing metal, tin cans, peebles, and
bottles.
Originality of Instruments - 50
Creativity - 30
Neatness - 20
Total -100

2. Create a rhythmic/harmonic accompaniment for any song you know using

these improvised African or Latin American instruments.
3. Describe your experience in making improvised African or Latin American musical
instruments from materials found in the environment.

3. Describe your experience in making improvised African or Latin American musical

instruments from materials found in the environment

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 POST-ASSESSMENT

Identify the musical instruments according to its classification. Write your

answer in the column provided. One point for every correct answer.

Wooden Tarka Quena Zampoñas Rattles

Fulani Flutes Shekere Lute Whistles
Teponaztli Slit drum Charango Zither Talking drum
Atenteben Huehueti Mariachi Kora Agogo
Atingting kon Ocarina Kudu horn Zeze
Musicalbow Tlapitzalli Balafon Rasp
Body percussion Concha Djembe Siku

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SCHOOLS DIVISION OF MANDAUE CITY

NIMFA D. BONGO, Ed.D., CESO V

Schools Division Superintendent
ESTELA B. SUSVILLA, Ph.D., CESO VI
Assitant Schools Division Superintendent
JAIME P. RUELAN, Ph.D.
Chief, Curriculum Implementation Division

ISMAELITA N. DESABILLE, Ed.D.

Education Program Supervisor (LRMDS)

MR. NIÑO G. MATILLANO

Education Program Supervisor, MAPEH

MARICHU M. AMESTOSO
Writer

CLYDE G. FONTANOSA
Lay-out Artist/Illustrator

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
REGIONAL OFFICE VII

SALUSTIANO T. JIMENEZ, ED.D, JD, CESO V

OIC, Regional Director
CRISTITO A. ECO
OIC, Assistant Regional Director

MAURITA F. PONCE
LRMDS, Education Program Supervisor

DR. JUVELYN P. OTERO

MAPEH, Education Program Supervisor

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 SYNOPSIS

In the Philippines, we also have our traditional musical

instruments that the new generation are not familiar with, they
didn’t even experience to touch nor use those instruments. To
look back let me cite a few of those instruments: Sulibaw,
Bunkaka or bilbil, Diwdiw-as or Diwas, Kalutang, Gangsa, Baliing,
Kolintang from Cordillera. Kudyapi, Kubing, Gabbang from
Mindanao, Batiwtiw, Kudlong, Badyung, Cantuy, Buray-dipay,
Subing from Mindoro, Buktot, Tulali, Tugo, Linguit from Visayas.
These musical instruments were purposely made as
accompaniment to a song that produces good sound and it has
been part of our culture.
In this module, you have learned the different characteristic
features of Afro-Latin and American musical instruments. There
are suggested activities that will guide a Grade 10 student to be
more familiar with the different classification/categories of Afro-
Latin American musical instrument . The activities were designed
for the student to moved out from their comfort zones. This will
help you explore and make new things that you least expect
from yourself.
By this, they can even help their brothers and sisters to be
more aware of the traditional musical instruments and its
characteristics found in Africa and Lzatin America at the same
time they may be able to integrate our own traditional musical
instruments to the young ones that will bring back its life can
make a difference.
Most of the activities highlighted on this material are geared
towards the awareness of every student that he/she has an
individual share of responsibility.

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Writer. MARICHU M. AMESTOSO. Graduated
at Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Sta. Mesa Manila in April 2015 with a degree
of Bachelor in Physical Education (BPE).
Took Graduate School Studies with Masteral
units (12) at Cebu Technical University.

Ilustrator. CLYDE G. FONTANOSA.

Graduated at Cebu Normal University in
Marchl 2011 with a degree of Bachelor
in Physical Science .

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