Unit 6 Take a Musical Trip - Camryn Williams

 The Music Of Africa - African Music:


What is Traditional African Music:

African music is used as a way to tell stories and lessons. In West Africa, a Griot, a musical storyteller, is responsible for spreading messages, life lessons, heritages, cultures, and beliefs. Dancing is a way to communicate these stories as well. 

Griots - storytellers

The music is expressed in celebrations and key points in life. This can include, births, weddings, funerals, coming of ages, and baptisms. There are ceremonies for the first harvest and rain. For these occasions, they are represented with different vibes and rhythms. 
 
African music is poly-rhythmic, meaning there are multiple rhythms brought together to create individuality and patterns. The drums, percussive instruments, strings, and vocals all play a part in traditional African music. 

Fun fact: Due to the slave trade, traditional African music inspired jazz and blues. 

African music and dance | Chihamba | TEDxCharlottesville
Jan 2, 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLyPiOf52z0 

How does African Music differ:

Different ethnic groups have distinctive types of styles and rhythms, specifically instruments.  Music in Africa is super diverse. South, East, West, and Central Africa are characterized by rhythms. 

Melody and rhythm are a big part in the African culture. 

Melody and Harmony: 

Depending on the style of African music, the melody can be prominent. The melody can be either more or less prominent than the rhythm. African melodies are distinguished by pentatonic scales. These sounds differ because it is a 5 note count per octave rather than a 7 count. 

Due to the melody, notes and range are limited. This causes the melody to be complex and intertwined. When vocal melodies occur, usually there are echoes and repetition. This can be called call-and-response pattern. Rhythm and vocals can play a big or little part in the melodies. 

Similar to the melodies, African harmonies use a call-and-response pattern. The pitches in the harmonies cause the unique sound of African music. 

Modes: 

Modes tend to differ depending on the cultures and traditions. African music does not use a central note to base the sounds off of. Repeating modes and patterns create the melodies/harmonies. 

Texture:

 Majority of musical elements in African music are complex, including the texture. Multiple layered rhythms are played to create the sounds. 

Timbre:

Every instrument has its own distinct timbre. In African music, timbre is used to blend instruments and voices together. Vocals in African music are important. This allows the artist/storyteller to convey emotions and messages. 

Overall instruments and vocals play a big part in African music, specifically the call-and-response pattern. 

West African Music (from Sankofa performance) - June 16, 2013

Instruments: 

All across Africa, there are many types of instruments. Most originated from West Africa. 

Here are a few examples...

Djembe - A Drum 

- one of the most important instruments
- produces a deep bass tone and sharp sounds
- creates a wide range and sound
- made with a wooden body and goat skin
- originated from West Africa

Kora - Stringed Instrument

- harp/lute
- produces melodies in the music 
- used for storytelling/praising 
- originated from West Africa

Balafon - Xylophone-like

- wooden body
- cheerful tones
- used in spiritual ceremonies 
- mainly used in South Africa

Mbira - Thumb Piano 

- hand-held with metal keys and a wooden body
- Used in cultural festivals
-originated in South Africa 

Talking Drum - 

-similar to the Djembe 
- "unique tensioning system" 
- helps change pitch 
- used for communication and sending/telling messages. 
- originated in West Africa

My opinion:

African Music is amazing. I love The sounds and complicated rhythms. 

Since jazz and blues are a descendant of traditional African music, I tend to listen to a lot of "african music." There are many artists, such as Tems, that like to keep a similar style of African music. It's more modern now.  

Living in Guam, I was introduced to many types of cultural music. I specifically remember seeing and playing a version of the Djembe and Mbira. I always thought these instruments were super unique. To this day, we own both. 


Sources:

 Chapter 1: The Music of Africa – Listening to the World,https://pressbooks.cuny.edu/apiza/chapter/chapter-2-the-music-of-africa/ . Accessed 25 Oct. 2024. 

“Exploring African Traditional Music: Instruments and Rhythms.” YouTube, YouTube, www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMBogGKfO0g. Accessed 25 Oct. 2024.

Photo - “Inside West Africa’s Griot Culture: Prince...” Playing For Change, https://playingforchange.com/articles/inside-west-africas-griot-culture-prince-diabat%C3%A9-marks-park Accessed 25 Oct. 2024.

YouTube, YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQur5iesRzM&t=18s s. Accessed 25 Oct. 2024.

 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Musical analysis #1 blog post

Image
Camryn Williams  When Doves Cry - Prince & The Revolution   Song link - When Doves Cry  - 1984, USA      Clearly when this song came out, I was not even thought of. My parents listen to Prince so I grew up to his songs. When I was first introduced to this song, I immediately loved it. I just wanna dance every time it comes on! The chorus caught my attention the most. I liked the way Prince's pitch ranged and his high pitched screams. The adlibs in the song were always my favorite. It showed his pitch range, which is immaculate.  Personally, I would consider him better than Mariah Carey - although she is fabulous.  When Doves Cry came out, it quickly hit the Billboard Charts. For 5 weeks, it remained the #1 song in Charts. It was produced for the movie Purple Rain.  Not only was the song popular for its wild beats, chords and melodies, the meaning was deep. Its about the loss of his relationship with his parents and lover. He is dealing wi...
Read more

Musical Analysis #2 - Camryn Williams

Image
End of The Road - Boyz II Men, June 30, 1992, USA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDKO6XYXioc        Starting out as Unique Attraction, they formed together in the mid 80s. In 1988, they changed their name to Boyz II Men. When they signed with Motown Records, they immediately became a hit group. A year after their first album, Cooleyhighharmony, it hits quadruple platinum. Babyface and LA Reid, the producers of  End of the Road,   also wrote the hits,  I'm your Baby Tonight  by Whitney Houston   and  Baby-Baby-Baby  by TLC.       I've been listening to this song for as long as I can remember. I feel like the lyrics engraved themselves automatically.  End of the Road has always been a family favorite as well as Boyz II Men. I personally love when artist talk in their songs and Boyz II men usually do so. This could kind of be considered as adlibs. I also love the album cover of Cooleyhighharmony bec...
Read more