Shalom 1. WHAT IS CFM? CFM stands for “Chivandikwa Family of Musicians”. This is how we call ourselves. This is in line with the Word of God as is shown on 2 Chronicles 5 from verse 11 on wards. Firstly it is a Calling that we are a family of musicians. We were sanctified and we do not do things as mare choice. We also don’t regard the divisions that exist amongst singers of the true house of God. Our call depends mostly on capacity given to us as a birth right which we are so sure no one can take it away from us…Not because we are clever or something…but that we know that He who gave it to us is also able to keep it active in us, for us and amongst us. We are indeed a Levitical group of singers who are proud to include the whole family in the praise and worship business to our God. Verse 12 of this chapter clearly states that these Levitical singers had their sons and kinsmen, arrayed in fine linen, with cymbals, harps and lyres at a particular position of alter. It is our duty to be heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord. However, we do not minister anyhow. We keep to our “eastern corner” of alter…When the Master require a song from us as His vessels, that’s when we respond. We don’t roll on our own from the shelves onto the serving table. We remain ready in the shelves until our turn arrives. There is no time limit for that wait…as long as it is according to the will of God. The following is one of the presentations we do wherever we go to minister…especially to choirs of the “born again” and not just any other group: The first presentation was done on this particular day during an all-night practice session of Combined Choirs (Harare Family Choir and Choir of the Redeemed). CHOIR-ALL-NIGHT----------14.05.2010------KAMBUZUMA PRESENTER: CHIVANDIKWA ELSON 1.What is music? • Academically known as the ‘art of combination sound that pleases the ear’, or ‘artful arrangement of sound that pleases the ear’, or simply ‘humanly organized sound’ (John Blacking 1977). • Our Context---Long ago at a programme on ZTV, Mbuya paPsalmody used to say ‘music brings joy to my soul’. -The art of combination sound that pleases the ear is defined as ‘a joyful noise that must be made to the Lord’.(Psalms100v1) 2. Why is music important? • Academically they say an instrument of music must amaze its own player. The player must feel, enjoy and become deeply relaxed by music. -Music must make you want to sing along (watch out what type of music quickly stick into your soul-some are addicted to Macheso) -It must be played purely for aesthetic audience entertainment. *They say general function of music is entertainment, education, educa-/edu-tainment, boosting moral, condolences etc. -It also develops the mind, the whole being and reflects the culture of the past, present and future. • In our context---The ark of God which signifies God’s presence was carried using music to bring down the presence of God.(1Chron15v16,28),(2Chron5v11-14),(Josh6v4-16) *David said, ’I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live. I will sing praise to my God while I have my being’, (Ps104v33). A singer defined the Word as ‘music’ in the sinner’s ear, most probably in reference to pleasing the ear in order to overwhelm the soul.(Ps51v8) -The Lord redeems life from destruction and forgives iniquities and crowns with lovingkindness and tender mercies. He further satisfies our mouths with good things.(Ps 103v3-5) -So my mouth will continually sing of his mercy and judgement while I still live.(Ps 101v1;Ps 104v33; Ps 49v4) -There other examples of why music is important a).Singing----(Psalms 96v1-9;96v1,5-9;100v2;95v1;68v4;66v4;61v8) b).Praise------(Psalms 50v23 says whoso offereth praise glorifieth God…); (Psalms 47v6-7; 35v18) 3. Which instruments of music can we play? a). Instruments made of animal skins(membranophones). These mostly are banged, shaken or tapped instruments. -Percussion are for rhythym purposes(mubvumo) and colour to music Examples; -Tambourine/timbrel (Ps 150v4; 149v3);(Ex 15v20) -drums(bass,snare,timbani,tom-tom,flow-tom,etc) -cymbals,triangles,tubular bells,gloclenspiel(Ps 150v5) b).Instruments made up of chords and strings(chordophones) Examples;-Harp-a plucked instrument which is the oldest (Ps150v3;147v7;149v3) -Guitar,violin,viola,cello,double bass(Ps33v2) -chipendani -organ(Ps150v4) c). Instruments that produce sound by plucking/shaking Examples;-hosho -mbira eg nyunganyunga,nyari,nhare,dzevaNdau,dzevaTonga,Matepe -marimba,magavhu,makwa/hakwa,hand clappers d). Blowing instruments/ wind instruments(aerophones) Examples; -d)1. woodwind-tube-wood or metal.These are made of wood/metal ie flutes,clarinets,bassoons -d)2. Brass instruments-made of brass tubes-the player makes the air vibrate using lips(1Chron15v19) eg -trumpets(Ps150v3)(1Chron15v28) -Cornets(Ps150v4) -saxophones,tuba,French horn,trombone -d)3. Acordian(Ps150v4) 4. Tips on how best we can blend with musical instruments Steps 4.1. Understand each component of music(tenor,soprano,alto,bass,baritone,medley,notes,keys,codes etc) • Our parts should blend well with music(hosho,hands clapping,guitars et in sink with voices) • A choir can sing well without baritone soloist • A choir can do well with inclusion of medieval poems, classic opera and presenting a mediley. • Choirs do well with own musicians where any music type may be played while we are presenting mass choral music. We can have flutists, urban luricists or any other musicians like guitarists, organ/piano players etc. 4.2. Kana uchiri kudzidzira kuimba nekuridza, don’t try to be prominent nenzwi rako kana your instrument kupfuura vanoziva.Zvine zvazvinoita kwatiri tose sechikwata. Dzidzira kuridza uchiimba(hosho,mbira,gita) 4.3. If not confident enough don’t be quick to blame it on others ie volume yemaistruments was too high, or I could not play well because the voices were off key or the congregation was intimidatory. 4.4. It is best to keep your eyes opened and only close them when the choir director has instructed you to do so. 4.5. No matter how spiritual the song/you may be, keep your voice in sink with the key and try to maintain the tempo. You may gradually slow down the tempo or gradually take it up—never abruptly. 4.6. Musanyepera kuziva zvaungazive, bvunza vanoziva zvausingazive, accept corrections and consult further. To those who know-it-all, get spiritual perspective about your super abilities-they may not be all that important to our Spirit-filled-Chikwata. 5. NOTES/KEYS/ CODES • Know what these words mean; KEY, CODES, BRIDGE,INTRO, CHORUS,HYMN,VOLUME, LEAD, BASS, RHYTHYM etc • Know your best key for songs we/you sing ( fast or slow tempo songs) Every soloist must know the keys for every song we have rehearsed We must always sing using the most comfortable key for both the soloist and all other parts. Where we sing (without musical instruments) we must adopt a suitable key that is comfortable for all parts to be heard. • Take time to learn new ways of singing and playing instruments -Dzidzira maNotes kuSchool of music -Dzidzira kuimba ne’the best of your voice’(voice training) -Dzidzira kuridza at least zviridzwa zviri more than obvious -Dzidzira kuziva ma ‘CYCLES’ enzimbo dzatinoimba dzose -Dzidzira kuziva manzwi erwuyo rumwe neumwe(we are blessed to have been taught to have SONG BOOKS) 6. SONG WRITING/ COMPOSING SONGS • Write as a professional/ only using talent—instruments can be used • Gift of arranging songs may not be there so you may need someone to do that for you -This is done to give the song structure eg BRIDGES, INTROS and the best lyrics for the song
Posted on: Fri, 23 Aug 2013 11:12:31 +0000