B ALAFON

G OBLET D RUMS

G ANKOGUI

S HEKERE

S INGING D RUM

D ONNO D RUM (T ALKING D RUM )

M BIRA

Z EZE

B EGENA

O UD

A TENTEBEN

T HE E XTREME D IVERSITY OF A FRICAN M USIC Due to the geographically huge size and large population, African music is rich and diverse. Different regions in African have distinct musical traditions. Due to the historical connections with other places of the world, such as the Middle East due to proximity, and much of Europe due to various events, some music in Africa has transformed, while other music remained more true to its origins.

D IFFERENT R EGIONS IN A FRICA Northern and Eastern African was widely influenced and entangled with the Middle East. As such, these regions share many of the same instruments, and some playing styles. Instruments from places such as Saudi Arabia and Turkey made their way down to this region of Africa and had a profound impact. Because of the sharing of ideas and instruments, this region of Africa has close ties with Middle Eastern maqamat (melodic modes). Ethiopian and Somalian music is typically pentatonic.

A MAP OF A FRICA !

P OLYRHYTHM Polyrhythm is a prevalent feature in much of West African music. The basic definition of polyrhythm is two or more rhythms being played at the same time, and at the same tempo. Polyrhythm on Gankogui There is no conductor to tell the players to follow the same beat. Each participant plays a rhythmic pattern that is not, by itself, difficult.

E XAMPLE OF P OLYRYTHM One half of the class claps a simple duple meter The other half is going to play triplets Make the “1s” of each beat line up. Left12 Right123

U NDERSTANDING Polyrhythm is the basis for music creation throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa. For those who grow up in cultures where polyrhythmic music is common, understanding comes more naturally. More polyrhythms with Donno drums (talking drums) Lots of polyrhythm is used in sub-Saharan African music, including music played in festivities and royal events.

J ÙJÚ M USIC Jùjú is a form of popular music that blends the polyrhythmic element of African music with some western stylization. The western elements usually include an acoustic guitar or sometimes a banjo. Juju may also include a tambourine, but the percussion always incorporates African drums. Jùjú originated in Nigeria Jùjú

V OCAL S TYLES Vocal styles in African traditional music vary widely. While traditional African music is very dependant on audience participation, songs differ in terms of purpose. Some songs are for celebration, while others are more sombre. Much of the vocal style lies in a chorus of audience members, while other traditional African music utilizes a small amount of vocalists with dynamic ranges.

C ENTRAL A FRICA A large portion of central Africa, particularly the Congo Basin, is covered in rainforest. The people living in the rainforest are usually referred to, by as, as Pygmies. Their music is vocal, and is passed on aurally and culturally. They have songs for hunting, celebrating, funerals, and a wide range of other events. Pygmy Music Note: this is a clip of Mbuti pygmy music. The term “pygmy” encapsulates a huge range of diversity.

E AST A FRICA East Africa is the source of a wide range of lamellophones. The singing drum that we saw on Friday is an example, as is the Mbira or the Kalmiba. A more English phrase for the Mbira is “thumb piano”. Another example of a lamellophone that you might be familiar with is a music box!

U GANDA Uganda is home to the Akadinda, a large and heavy log xylophone. It utilizes interlocking patterns in its rhythm and is generally played by more than one person. Akadinda The music of Uganda, sometimes referred to as Baganda music, is based on the mwanjo. The mwanjo is an octave divided into five intervals of approximately 2.4 semitones. Baganda

G AMBIAN K ORA The kora is a harp lute that originated in Gambia. The players of these instruments are quite skilled, being able to play multiple parts at once, like this.this.

M BUBE Mbube is South African choir singing, rich with vibrant harmony. Mbube