AoS 4: Toto 'Africa' - Tempo, Metre and Rhythm

1. 'Africa time signature is _____

2/2 or 'Cut common time'

'Cut common time' means

2 minims per bar

The tempo in beats per minute (bpm) is

92 bpm

2. Riff 1 comprises

- a distinctive syncopated rhythm
- mostly repeating chord VII

3. Riff 2 features

- an anacrusis
- an ostinato pattern based on groupings of 5 quavers

The five-quaver pattern in riff 2 creates a

cross-rhythm

A cross rhythm is a rhythm which

cuts across the 2/2 time signature, creating syncopation

Cross rhythms are a common feature of which musical cultures?

traditional African music

4. The vocals in the Verses are highly

syncopated

5. Which rhythmic device appears in the Verse 2?

Additional anacruses:
- '...AS they grow restless...' (bar 16.4)
- '...SURE AS Kilimanjaro...' (bar 25.3)

Describe the rhythmic feature which links the end of the Verse to the start of the Chorus (b.37.2)

Sustained chord (C#m) for 2.5 bars (bb.37-39)

6. The vocals in the Chorus are highly

syncopated

7. Identify 2 key features of the Instrumental (first 'quarter')

- Straight quavers grouped into 3s, creating cross-rhythms
- Ends with triplet quavers

8. Identify 2 key features of the Instrumental (second 'quarter')

- More rhythmic variety than the first phrase of the Instrumental, featuring:
- Triplet quavers (b.70)
- Straight quavers, including rests and syncopations (b.71)
- Triplet crochets (b.72)

9. Identify 2 key features of the Instrumental (third 'quarter')

- First half: straight quavers, grouped into 3s
- Second half: 'pop style' grace notes and syncopations

Identify key features of the Instrumental (fourth 'quarter')

- Same as Intro (syncopated and sustained final chord)