An agogô ( Yoruba: ''agogo'', meaning bell) is a single or a multiple

bell A bell /ˈbɛl/ () is a directly struck idiophone percussion instrument. Most bells have the shape of a hollow cup that when struck vibrates in a single strong strike tone, with its sides forming an efficient resonator. The strike may be m ...

now used throughout the world but with origins in traditional Yoruba and Edo music and also in the

samba Samba () is a broad term for many of the rhythms that compose the better known Brazilian music genres that originated in the Afro-Brazilians, Afro Brazilian communities of Bahia in the late 19th century and early 20th century, It is a name or ...

'' baterias'' (percussion ensembles). The agogô may be the oldest

instrument and was based on West African Yoruba single or double bells. The agogô has the highest pitch of any of the bateria instruments.

Construction

Each bell is a different size. This allows a differently pitched note to be produced depending on which bell has been hit. Originally wrought iron, they are now manufactured in a variety of metals and sizes for different sound qualities. The most common arrangement is two bells attached by a U-shaped piece of metal. The smaller bell is held uppermost. Either bell may be hit with a wooden stick to make a cowbell like sound or less commonly a clicking sound is produced by squeezing the two bells together. Origins, history, and evolution The Yoruba, Igala, and Edo peoples of Nigeria use the word "agogô," which refers to a single or double clapperless bell. (Page 33 of Gourley et al. The name agogô and the idea of an instrumental were carried to the Americas by enslaved Africans, where they were revived and used in both form and function over time as circumstances allowed and customs changed. Dimensions 10 in. length 5.6 in. length (larger bell) 2.7 in. diameter of rim (larger bell) 4.6 in. length (smaller bell) 2 in. diameter of rim (smaller bell)

Religious origins

It is used in the ceremonial music of religions in Yorubaland as well as in their new world practice, which is based on beliefs such as Candomblé brought by slaves from Africa. Uses Bells are primarily used as percussion instruments in traditional Yoruba music. It is yet another crucial musical instrument in their music, along with the sekere and gangan (talking drum). This bell is used by their cultural groups; in fact, traditional dancers can only move to the sounds made by the bell. Additionally, it plays a significant role in the Yoruba musical subgenres of Juju, Afro-juju, Apala, Fuji, and others. Agogo is always present in the musical instruments used by the performers that introduced Nigerian music to a global audience. The main musical instrument used in the dancing masquerades is also the bell. In addition to smaller bells fastened to their ankles, masqueraders exhibit musical skill at cultural events. They consist of two or more bells of different pitches, struck with a stick to create sharp, rhythmic sounds. Some can be squeezed to produce a "clapping" effect. Additionally, this ringing bell is crucial to the king-making and chieftaincy rites. It plays a significant role in various regions' specific ceremonies performed throughout these procedures. The Chief Priest's or occultists' declarations or prayers must be accompanied by the ringing of the bell. One of the finest Yoruba epic films, Saworo Ide & Agogo Ewo, depicts this. These films, created by director Tunde Kelani, provide more insight into the significance of the bell in Yoruba culture. The bell was utilized in Yoruba land and certain other regions of Nigeria before the development of social media, telecommunication, and radio stations to communicate information to the populace. Using the bell to draw attention, the town crier informs the populace of information from the monarch or leaders. As soon as the bell is rung using a wooden stick, everyone congregates in one spot to hear what the town crier has to say. The bell, which may be compared to the current tweet that is sent out to the entire world, is just as significant in this situation as the town crier. A bell known as agogo is used for religious reasons in addition to the percussion bell. It features a tongue and a clapper that are used to generate noise by striking the metallic body. Pentecostal congregations utilize it as a type of musical instrument and for prayer. The importance of agogo is the same everywhere in the world.

Rhythmic patterns

Bell pattern 1 is the most basic, or archetypal pattern. It is the 4/4 form of what is known in

ethnomusicology Ethnomusicology is the multidisciplinary study of music in its cultural context. The discipline investigates social, cognitive, biological, comparative, and other dimensions. Ethnomusicologists study music as a reflection of culture and investiga ...

as the ''standard pattern'', and known in Cuba as '' clave''. Pattern 1 is used in maculelê and some Candomblé and Macumba rhythms. Bell 2 is used in afoxê and can be thought of as pattern 1 embellished with four additional strokes. Bell 3 is used in

batucada Batucada () is a substyle of samba and refers to a percussive style, usually performed by an Musical ensemble, ensemble, known as a bateria. Batucada music is characterized by its syncopated style and fast pace with a marked rhythm. Originally fro ...

. Pattern 4 is the maracatu bell and can be thought of as pattern 1 embellished with four additional strokes.

In rock music

* Copacabana, popular American

disco Disco is a music genre, genre of dance music and a subculture that emerged in the late 1960s from the United States' urban nightclub, nightlife, particularly in African Americans, African-American, Italian-Americans, Italian-American, LGBTQ ...

song by Barry Manilow featuring an agogo bell solo in the introduction * Love Rollercoaster, popular American

funk Funk is a music genre that originated in African-American communities in the mid-1960s when musicians created a rhythmic, danceable new form of music through a mixture of various music genres that were popular among African-Americans in the ...

song by

Ohio Players Ohio Players are an American funk band, most popular in the 1970s. They are best known for their songs "Fire" and " Love Rollercoaster", and for their erotic album covers that featured nude or nearly nude women. Many of the women were models f ...

featuring a prominent agogo bell * Soulfly frontman Max Cavalera played a pair of agogô on the band's debut album. * There Goes The Fear by British band Doves features a percussion section at the end, including an agogo. This is played by guitarist Jez Williams in live performances. *

Bizarre Love Triangle "Bizarre Love Triangle" is a song by English rock band New Order, released as a single in November 1986 from their fourth studio album, '' Brotherhood'' (1986), which reached the top five on the US Hot Dance Music/Club Play Singles chart, an ...

by New Order features a synthesised percussion breakdown with timbales, agogo, claps at around 2:42, performed by drummer Stephen Morris.

References

African and African-American Contributions to World Music
(PDF)

External links

Bateria Sounds
{{DEFAULTSORT:Agogo African percussion instruments Bells (percussion) Brazilian percussion Capoeira music Central American and Caribbean percussion instruments Hand percussion Idiophones struck directly Metal percussion instruments Samba Unpitched percussion instruments Yoruba musical instruments