Matepe music can be accompanied by clapping and singing, a specific type of drumming, hosho (shaker) playing, or any combination of these.
Singing
Unlike other types of mbira, there are established vocal lines for matepe pieces, which are usually sung by a women’s choir. Unfortunately we could not (yet) include then in this documentation. On top of these lines, singers (Chawasarira calls them the “poets”) add improvised vocal parts and yodelling.
Hosho playing
As Sekuru explains in the Beat Placement video, Hosho playing was not common in the area where he learned matepe. Whereas in other places like Nyamapanda, Hosho player Crispen Zonke and his late grandmother Ambuya Sinati Nyamande are famed for their skills, style, and interaction with the matepe playing.
Matepe & clapping
Chapters:
00:00 Who may clap?
01:00 Different types of accompaniment
02:11 Preferences in different areas
04:10 Different clapping sounds
04:52 Clapping Patterns
05:23 Drumming and Clapping
05:51 Beginner’s Patterns
08:29 Liberties and Correctness
12:04 Balance between Mbira and Percussion
17:02 Dancing
20:20 Things happening in ceremonies
Matepe drumming
Chapters:
00:00 Matepe drumming (demonstration) 1
02:43 Other drumming styles?
03:35 Nhare-style drumming (demonstration)
04:16 Interaction between mbira and drums?
06:26 Matepe drumming (demonstration) 2
09:52 What makes a good drummer?
11:55 Type of drum to accompany matepe
13:24 Occasions for drumming
13:58 Banya for the Mhondoro
17:09 Dancing
18:37 Interaction between mbira and dancers?
19:11 Behaviour during ceremonies