Wimoweh Part 1 – Rhythm Parts

In the jungle, the mighty jungle

Welcome to our African extravaganza! Wimoweh comes from the Zulu word Mbube, meaning Lion. The song was composed and first recorded by Solomon Linda in South Africa in 1939. Most of us know it from Walt Disney’s film The Lion King.

Let’s look at how a group of harmonica players can perform the song. In this part, we’ll work on the rhythms. In part 2 we’ll look at the melodies, then in part 3 we’ll work out some extra fun parts to finish the job.

Some parts sound slightly better on a 10 hole harmonica, others work fine on a 4 hole. Purple music is for four hole harmonicas. Orange music is for ten hole harmonicas. A number tells you which hole to play. D is draw (breath in). B is blow (breath out). We’re using harmonicas in the key of C major

Take a listen to Wimoweh

First, take a listen to the song on line with a grown up and get a feel of the rhythm. Note how relaxed it is and how it it makes you want to sway. This is what we want to reproduce with the harmonica.

 Rhythm 1 – Wimoweh

This is the rhythm which supports the whole song. Start by saying Wim-o-weh. Now say it a bit faster, making the first part stronger and more important.

Repeat the phrase a few times and you should feel a rhythm taking shape. Now try playing this through your 10 hole harmonica in C major using groups of notes:

3B-4B-5B   3B-4B-5B   3B-4B-5B

3B-4B-5B   3B-4B-5B   3B-4B-5B 

3D-4D-5D   3D-4D-5D   3D-4D-5D

3D-4D-5D   3D-4D-5D   3D-4D-5D

3B-4B-5B   3B-4B-5B   3B-4B-5B 

3B-4B-5B   3B-4B-5B   3B-4B-5B 

2D-3D-4D   2D-3D-4D   2D-3D-4D

2D-3D-4D   2D-3D-4D   2D-3D-4D

On a 4 hole harmonica just blow two holes each time, but use the same rhythm pattern:

2B-3B   2B-3B   2B-3B

2B-3B   2B-3B   2B-3B

2D-3D   2D-3D   2D-3D

2D-3D   2D-3D   2D-3D

2B-3B   2B-3B   2B-3B

2B-3B   2B-3B   2B-3B

1D-2D   1D-2D   1D-2D

1D-2D   1D-2D   1D-2D

Rhythm 2 – Wim-Banana

To learn the rhythm, start by saying Wim–Banana. Now say it a bit faster, this time leaving out the Wim. Think Wim in your head, but only say Banana. Now keep this going but make the first part of Banana stronger and more important. (Wim)-Banana, (Wim)–Banana, (Wim)–Banana

Repeat the phrase a few times. You should feel a rhythm taking shape. Now try playing this through your 10 hole harmonica using groups of three notes:

(Wim)   3B-4B-5B   3B-4B-5B   3B-4B-5B

(Wim)   3B-4B-5B   3B-4B-5B   3B-4B-5B

(Wim)   3D-4D-5D   3D-4D-5D   3D-4D-5D

(Wim)   3D-4D-5D   3D-4D-5D   3D-4D-5D

(Wim)   3B-4B-5B   3B-4B-5B   3B-4B-5B

(Wim)   3B-4B-5B   3B-4B-5B   3B-4B-5B

(Wim)   2D-3D-4D   2D-3D-4D   2D-3D-4D

(Wim)   2D-3D-4D   2D-3D-4D   2D-3D-4D

(Wim)   2B-3B   2B-3B   2B-3B

(Wim)   2B-3B   2B-3B   2B-3B

(Wim)   2D-3D   2D-3D   2D-3D

(Wim)   2D-3D   2D-3D   2D-3D

(Wim)   2B-3B   2B-3B   2B-3B

(Wim)   2B-3B   2B-3B   2B-3B

(Wim)   1D-2D   1D-2D   1D-2D

(Wim)   1D-2D   1D-2D   1D-2D

Try softening (Wim)-Banana by pushing and pulling the rhythm from your tummy instead of speaking it through the harmonica. Which do you prefer?

Keep the rhythm going through the song, except when the main melody is played. You can click your fingers to the beat at this point.

The lion sleeps tonight!

Take a bow. Well done! Now put the two rhythms together with your harmonica group and show your friends, family and grown ups what you can do. In part 2 we’ll look at the main melody and a second melody we call the Tarzan call!

Go to Part 2

Go to Part 3