...The Music of Africa You’ve Got Rhythm Sub-Saharan Africa Geography and Brief History of Sub-Saharan Africa Introduction to the Region • • • • Many Africans reckon the bonds of family laterally and linearly One village may have a genealogy of a common ancestor Professional caste of musicians memorize these genealogies and recite them in song Each musical instrument has a spirit of it own. Introduction to the Region: Polyrhythm • • The most distinctive of traditional African musical characteristics Different meters or metrical starting points going on at once Characteristics of Traditional African Music • Ostinato 1. A short pattern that repeats over and over 2. ostinato most often refers to a repeating melody, but can also refer to a repeating rhythm. • 3. In Africa, ostinatos often form foundations for improvisation, variation, or the addition of other patterns Use of percussion 1. This characteristic reflects the Sub-Saharan emphasis on making music with drums, rattles, bells, xylophones, and mbiras. 2. Some orchestras include only percussion instruments, and nonpercussion instruments are sometimes played in a percussive manner 3. such instruments as harps, lyres, horns, and flutes are equally important in many areas. 3.1.harps, lyres, horns, and flutes are equally important in many areas Characteristics • Background Shimmer 1. African musicians often attach beads, coins, or other small objects to their instruments to create a constant...
Words: 849 - Pages: 4
...collective community in the Sub-Saharan African. They are dance, call and response and polyrhythm. The Call and response is very popular. The chorus repeats a fixed refrain in alternation with a lead singer, who then has more freedom to improvise. This makes the music conversational and encouraged group participation. 2. How are polyrhythmic music created in Sub-Saharan African? Polyrhythmic music is created when two or more locally independent attack patterns are superimposed, is realized by handclaps, xylophones, rattles, and a variety of tuned and non tuned drum, by handclaps, xylophones, rattles, and a variety of tuned and non tuned drums. The African polyrhythm is the noticeable steadiness of the resultant rhythmic pattern. Pitch polyphony exists in the form of parallel intervals overlapping solo-choral response, and occasional simultaneous independent melodies. In addition to voice, many wind and string instruments perform melodic functions. 3. What linguistic elements are required to make a drum "talk"? "Talking drum" is able to communicate by mimicking the tonal contour and speech rhythm of a language. African languages are tonal. Drums don't only play the rhythm some have strings attached to the skins or the player presses down on the skin, which alters the pitch making it similar to African spoken languages. 4. In what ways do juju and other types of popular music in sub-Saharan Africa draw on traditional music for inspiration? After World War II,...
Words: 348 - Pages: 2
...African music and dance * In texture, African music consists of a single line of melody without harmony. * As with most African dialects, where pitch is important in conveying meaning, variations of musical effect derive from tonal inflection and timbre. * The essential communal spirit of African culture is reflected in the use of Call-and-response chants similar to those of African poetry. * The most distinctive characteristic of African music is its polyrhythmic structure. * A single piece of music may simultaneously engage five to ten different rhythms, many of which are repeated over and over. * African dance is also communally preformed and shares the distinctively dense polyrhythmic qualities of African music. * A wide variety of percussion instruments, including various types of drums and rattles are used in the performance of African rituals. * Also popular are the balafo (Xylophone), the bolon or kora (harp), and the sansa. * The bolon and the sansa were believed to contain supernatural powers and to be dangerous, and were outlawed by many African tribes. * Africa was the origin of the banjo, which may have been the only musical instrument permitted on slave ships and traveled across the Atlantic in the 16th century. All other instruments were forbidden. * The dynamic convergence of poetry, dance and music generates a singularly dramatic experience in African culture. * The African Mask * African masks and...
Words: 772 - Pages: 4
...Black music is a very important step for American music, the early American music such as Jazz and blues are based on original African American music. African American music is a kind of music that is based on slavery and the suffering the African American took during the slavery time. They put their thoughts and their hope in those slavery songs. Two hundred years later, it becomes hip-hop music. Hip-hop music is now hip-hop music has become a major feature of the United States. You can find rap music around the whole world. But actually, rap music is based on the early slavery songs. As Sonian suggested:" African American music cannot be separated from the transatlantic slave trade and the forced transportation of millions of African people across the Atlantic who were then enslaved. Early records of African American music indicate that songs changed frequently, not just from singer to singer, but also from day to day when sung by the musician." (Smith Sonian.org)...
Words: 682 - Pages: 3
...Justin Baird Professor Tolson African American Music 1/28/15 Review #1 On Monday night, January 26th I had the pleasure of attending a Jazz Combo that consisted of three different bands. This Jazz Combo was performed by the University Of Louisville School Of Music and was held in Bird Recital Hall. These bands included the Clark Terry Combo directed by Tyrone Wheeler, Terence Blanchard Combo directed by Ansyn Banks, and the Fats Navarro Combo directed by Ansyn Banks as well. One of the bands that I enjoyed the most was the Terence Blanchard Combo which was directed by Ansyn Banks. This group consisted of Jon Driver who played the saxophone, Doug Finke who played the trombone, Hanks Evans who played the piano, Will Kinman who played the bass, and John Walther who played the drums. Most of the performers were young but the older men still kept up with them and made for a great performance. The band itself felt comfortable playing their instruments, but seemed a little timid when it came to actually performing in front of everyone though. They were confident in what they were doing, but just seemed like they were a bit nervous in the beginning. The energy with each other was a little sluggish at the beginning of their performance but picked up midway through the first song and continued to increases as they performed their second piece of the night. They all got into their instrument and you could really feel the passion they had for playing it as well. The Terence Blanchard...
Words: 832 - Pages: 4
...2 Courtney Mustoe Does Rap music Misrepresent African Americans? There are many genera’s in today’s music world. Depending on who a person is, and what their emotions may be, there will always be a song or genera that one can relate to. Some music helps us relax, while others help us to get pumped up. Other music helps us study while some get us ready to party. Music can create closeness with a significant other while sometimes it can relate to our sorrows of a breakup. It can make us happy when we are sad, while in curtain circumstances make us sad when we are happy. Music can take over our thoughts and emotions that create a story we can relate to or a story we are unfamiliar with. It can take us down a street we have never been before. In some aspects this could be a problem. Some listeners might think all country singers are hicks from the south or mid west. Many might assume every punk rocker is a rebellious Goth. So if these presumptions can be made, what is there to stop people from letting a genera of music represent a certain race in our society today? In the past, music was limited by certain branches of music that could air on the radio and one genera in particular, rap, had to fight its way through the music industry to be heard. Its roots came from the hip-hop culture which includes rapping, graffiti, break dancing, DJing (audio mixing or scratching) ect. After rap was recognized, over the years, changes within the music industry and what the media...
Words: 2681 - Pages: 11
...The Kora and originated in Africa and is most commonly classified as an harp-lute. As the Kora is discussed, there will be an exploration of the structure and typology, specifically in regards to its musical classification. As the discussion and exploration continues the cultural context in which the Kora is played will be investigated as well has also identifying and analyzing a context in which the Kora is played in a non-traditional setting. Firstly, before we can understand the culture surrounding the Kora and the differing cultural aspects of when it is played, there must be an exploration into the understanding of the structure, typology and history. The Kora is reported to have originated in the Guinea-Bissau area, however many people recognise the Kora from the many famous players of the Kora (from the Malo region) and therefore associate its origin to the Malo area. The Kora has been modified since its first creation, the most common Kora known is known for its 21 strings. Other modifications include the 18 stringed versions. However the original Kora was probably an adaptation of another existing harp (Oxford University Press 2007-2014). The kora was probably created by adding strings to an existing Mande harp, of which there are several with three to eight strings. Known as spike harps, these are a type unique to West Africa . The curved neck (a feature shared with other arched harps of the world) spikes the body as on the kora, and a string carrier stands upright...
Words: 2470 - Pages: 10
...English 175 11/28/11 Literature Essay Sounds of Music Some people say that certain music to people make them do extraordinary things. People hear their life through music they listen to or like and that is how they live it. This is the case for the novel Sonny Blues written by James Baldwin. The story is about two brothers who come to understand each other, more specifically, through its two main characters, two sides of the African-American experience. Sounds of Music Some people say that certain music to people make them do extraordinary things. People hear their life through music they listen to or like and that is how they live it. This is the case for the novel Sonny Blues written by James Baldwin. The story is about two brothers who come to understand each other, more specifically, through its two main characters, two sides of the African-American experience. Sounds of Music Some people say that certain music to people make them do extraordinary things. People hear their life through music they listen to or like and that is how they live it. This is the case for the novel Sonny Blues written by James Baldwin. The story is about two brothers who come to understand each other, more specifically, through its two main characters, two sides of the African-American experience. Sounds of Music Some people say that certain music to people make them do extraordinary things. People hear their life through music they listen to or like and that is how they live...
Words: 3512 - Pages: 15
...I think it is safe to say that pretty much everyone listens to and enjoys music. Who would be able to resist being soothed into relaxation by a favorite song or even an entire album after a hard, long day of stress? I know I definitely would not be able to. It is no lie that music is a very big part of our lives today, especially for the youth. It is even used as a type of therapy to help the pathways of the brain heal from stress and traumas. However, not a lot of people realize how bad some of today's music is and the negative impacts it has on today's youth. It alters behaviors and neuronal pathways, holds no regard for who it offends, and promotes violence as it shapes today's culture. For some cities and ethnic groups, music pretty much...
Words: 1032 - Pages: 5
...BACKGROUND INFORMATION African Music Role of Music: African music is a vital part of everyday life in Africa. It is a part of religious ceremonies, festivals, and social rituals. Songs are used for the important events in a person's life (birth, coming of age, marriage, and death). They are used for curing the sick, bringing rain, and religious dances. Many Africans believe that music serves as a link with the spirit world. Everyone plays an active part in the musical life of the community. Music is ultimately tied to the things that are most important to the welfare of the people. African Music Across the Continent: Music varies across the African Continent. Ethnic groups of Southern African deserts have very simple songs. People in the Congo River Basin have more complicated singing and instrumental music. East Africans specialize in music played on xylophones. West Coast tribes have made the art of drum playing a highly developed skill. Characteristics of African Music: Melodies are usually short and simple. African music uses short bits of melody that are repeated over and over. Singers or instrumentalists may change them at will, so that the performance becomes a theme with many variations. When performing, one person may begin to improvise, or make up a special version of the melody while the other singers continue the original melody. Often, several voices will sing different melodies at the same time. Africans also sing in rounds. The accompaniment may consist...
Words: 566 - Pages: 3
...Throughout my high school career, I've struggled with deciding what major I want to have in college. I've always been inspired by music and I love everything about music. so my junior year of high school I attended NC all-state chorus and got the opportunity to work with the amazing Andrea Ramsey and hear her story about why she wrote a song the way she did and how and what inspired her to write choral music and the feeling it give her to make music period. I then realized how much I love music. How much I love choral music and how much I wanted to be in a choir and perform. i learned that my passion for music is not something that should be limited and only shared with myself but with everyone. so i searched for colleges that offered music and colleges with choirs....
Words: 501 - Pages: 3
...of time, music was created. God wrote an entire book, in the bible, devoted to songs, or hymns. He has given us a priceless gift! Music can touch us like nothing else can! It reaches into our depths, it gives us expression, and its an offering as an instrument of praise to Him. Within the early times of African Americans and Jews, music provided them their strength, dignity, and hope in the midst of their demeaning enslavement. It healed them in a way nothing else did. From the earliest of church days, singing psalms, hymns, and spirituals were an important part of Christian worship. Using music within churches helped the spread of Christianity. Singing with praise and worshiping God became very important to the spiritual...
Words: 1521 - Pages: 7
...1. African music was so highly integrated as a part of their everyday life that for almost every activity there was an appropriate music to accompany it. In other cases, music was also used as code to communicate messages between Africans during slavery. This makes it easier to describe how this music was able to survive and evolve in spite of the persecution and oppression of its people. 2. Through the 17th and 19th centuries, African music had already evolved highly into a complex art form built around concepts of structure. It was used ritually as an important part of life events. It was used to commemorate such major events as crowning a king, religious ceremonies, the birth of a child, and even the moment of someone’s passing. 3. The African heterogeneous sound idea was a term first described by African American composer Olly Wilson. It was a term used to describe an assortment consisting of many contrasting elements. This assortment was described as the interaction and combination of a wide variety of instruments. The degree of complexity within each assortment varied among individual African ensembles. 4. One notable aesthetic in African music is call and response. It is when a statement in music is made, either vocally or instrumentally, so that it may be responded to. The response can be the repetition of the first statement or the completion of it. This musical attribute is popular in jazz, ragtime, blues, gospel, and R&B. This is one of the many ways...
Words: 608 - Pages: 3
...in the desert around the southern city of Tamanrasset, where he got his first acoustic guitar from a local arab man. As he got older and started to travel he started meeting other musicians that, like him, enjoyed exploring radical protest music or moroccan groups, western pop, and western rock and roll. While the group was in its early stages of development, even though they did not have a name people from all over stater referring to them as “Kel Tinariwen” which is the Tamashek language translated as “The People of The Deserts” or “ The Desert Boys.” Even though they drew inspiration from alot of west european bands, their sound is alittle more Grass root, and has more of traditional sound. Their sound comes from West African music the “Great Bend” region along the nile river. The use of their old traditions have solidified their longevity through music. Along with the discovery of Tinariwen, I stumbled upon some similar artist such as Amadou & Mariam as well as some other african rooted bands. The many instruments the band Tinariwen used were endless, but most were traditional pieces such as the Guitar, One String Fiddle, Shepherd's Flute, or a Tinde Drum. The specific genre they are listed as is “Tichumaren” which is a style of music from...
Words: 489 - Pages: 2
..."Sony's Blues" which is an famous short story by James Baldwin, describes many conflicts in relationships and obstacles African American lives in the 1950s. At this time, there was discrimination in the society of The United States. The story is narrated by the brother of Sonny. In the end of story, the narrator comes to Sonny's show of jazz following his young brother, Sonny's invitation. This event is held at a small nightclub in Greenwich Village. Sonny's brother is there and harmonies himself with jazz music. He carefully observes any changes of Sonny at his first performane at nightclub. The author sets up the nightclub in the end of story effectively. This setting is spotlight and important for turning point of the brotherhood between narrator and his younger brother, Sony. After many arguments on different styles of living, Sonny opens his heart by inviting his...
Words: 916 - Pages: 4
