Toro
Toro is a mask dance from Guinea. (The Notation page explains the musical notation used below.)
Toro is played in 4/4 time, which means the measure is four quarter notes long. This can be thought of as four groups of four sixteenth notes.
The sound files are in MP3 format, and include a bell on every quarter note. This bell is not part of the melody, but is included for reference.
Break
1 2 3 4
| e & a | e & a | e & a |
Of O o o o O o O
RL R L L L R L R
Listen to the Break (32 KB MP3 file, 1 measure).
First Accompaniment
1 2 3 4
| e & a | e & a | e & a | e & a
O o b S S S O o S s S
R L L R R R R L R L R
1 2 3 4
| e & a | e & a | e & a | e & a
O o b S S S b S S
R L L R R R L R R
Listen to the First Accompaniment with the Break. (95 KB MP3 file, 4 measures).
Listen to the First Accompaniment. (438 KB MP3 file, 20 measures).
Second Accompaniment
1 2 3 4
| e & a | e & a | e & a | e & a
S s Ss O o S s Ss O o
R L RL R L R L RL R L
Listen to the Second Accompaniment with the Break. (95 KB MP3 file, 4 measures).
Listen to the Second Accompaniment. (438 KB MP3 file, 20 measures).
First and Second Accompaniments Together
Here the first and second accompaniments played together at a slower speed. The first accompaniment is played in the left channel; the second accompaniment in the right channel. (The separation is less than ideal, but using headphones may help.)
Listen to the First and Second Accompaniment Together. (563 KB MP3 file, 20 measures).