ipl-logo

Sub-Saharan African Music: The Use Of African Instruments

1018 Words5 Pages

5. INSTRUMENTATION

The use of instruments is essential to African music; its unique instruments are therefore a significant characteristic to consider. Many instruments are employed in African music, and differ per ethnic group. However, several instruments are common among all Sub-Saharan African countries including the talking drum, xylophones and the mbira.

5.1 Drums

Drums are one of the primary African instruments. Differing in size and shape, the specific drums used within particular cultures is largely dependent on the materials available to produce instruments. Drums are essential to political and religious ceremonies, and are also used as accompaniment to dancing and regulating the pace of work. (Ewens 1991: 22; Kamien n.d.)

One …show more content…

Attached to the sound box is a rattle which maintains a steady pulse. The mbira dza vadzimu music has a minimum of two parts, which overlap and interlock to create complex polyrhythms. (Kamien; Miller & Shahriari 2012: 357.)

5.3 Xylophones

Xylophones are among the most significant and common instruments of Sub-Saharan Africa. A melodic instrument, it consists of pre-tuned keys which are hit with mallets to produce sound. Various types of xylophones are found in Africa, including those with free-floating keys. However the most common is that with hardwood keys attached to a framework, with a calabash resonator attached beneath each key, and is most notable in Mozambique where it is known as a tsimbila. Xylophone performances combine polyrhythm with melodic pitches to create highly complex music. (Ewens 1991: 20, 21–22; Miller & Shahriari 2012: 361.)

In Uganda, a type of xylophone known as the akadinda can be found. Performances require a substantial interlocking of parts to create a dense polyrhythmic structure. The akadinda is closely related to the amadinda, another type of xylophone common in Uganda and nearby regions. However, the amadinda is used in less formal contexts, with performances that are less complex than those of the akadinda. (Miller & Shahriari 2012:

Show More
Related
327 Words | 2 Pages

It is a sign of respect and signifying that Tanzanians like the American style of music so they decided

Read More
239 Words | 1 Pages

The Arapaho is a Native American Tribe. This chant, known as the “Eagle Dance” is given its distinct metrical rhythm because of a drum that is hit on every beat, giving it the feeling of a duple meter. This drum maintains an even tempo throughout the chant, from the first 4 beats which serve to introduce the chant, all the way through. The chanting vocal group is very free, they are speak singing throughout, and there are many people in the group including a primary upper voice and many voices underneath. This primary upper voice also sings performs for a small portion of the chant, transitioning to the repetition of the main melody.

Read More
1104 Words | 5 Pages

On November 15, 205 at 2pm I was able to see the Rutgers Percussion Ensemble. I was very interested in this show, because I have never been able to see a group of only percussionists perform in the same space. The first piece they did was called Ionisation, which was written in 1929. There were thirteen musicians on stage playing various instruments. This song began with a rolling unpitched sound coming from four snare drums with the claves.

Read More
1831 Words | 8 Pages

America's Greatest Gift There is no doubt that Jazz music is one of greatest things to come from American culture. It had sprouted up from cultural and spiritual hymns a global sound that has no restraints. From the early slave songs with their call and response style, to the later Swing and Bebop era tones, Jazz became the frontline for American music where it still remains relevant to this day. It all started in the later parts of the 19th with African slaves brought over from the Atlantic slave trade.

Read More
250 Words | 1 Pages

Another

Read More
582 Words | 3 Pages

Africa is known as the origin of the human race. Since that is the case, Africa has had the most opportunities to impress the modern world. Africa has done just that. Africa had three major kingdoms, each of which were major successes. Throughout history, Africa’s kingdoms have utilized their natural resources to become some of the most prosperous kingdoms the world has ever seen.

Read More
627 Words | 3 Pages

Since the emergence of bachata in the early 1960’s, bachata was associated with poor rural migrants. Bachata was also considered too vulgar, crude, and too musically rustic. The music was not allowed in the mainstream musical landscape. Only a few years ago bachata was now finally respected by different class of the Dominican Republic. One of bachata’s most notable characteristics was extra musical; which

Read More
686 Words | 3 Pages

It is known as the king of Arabian, and Middle-Eastern music because of its main use. As a teenager, my dad and his friends used to play music around one another, this was seen as a type of social gathering in which any individual present would play on the oud while those who surround them dance and clap. They were very passionate about it as it brought people together whether it was by teaching one another how to play certain

Read More
914 Words | 4 Pages

[What](Description): The BIWA, a Japanese short-necked fretted lute, is distinguished by its graceful, pear-shaped body. It has a shallow, rounded back and silk strings (usually four or five) attached to slender lateral pegs. The biwa is the chosen instrument of Benten, goddess of music, eloquence, poetry, and education in Buddhism. [How]: The instrument is played with a large wedge-shaped plectrum called a bachi.

Read More
1102 Words | 5 Pages

Did you know that just one little thing could affect a whole country? Well in West Africa, specifically Mali, gold made them a site of cultural exchange and that was only one reason why. After a long journey across the Sahara Desert, you reached Mali. Mali is a place for cultural exchange where not only gold and salt was traded, but also religion and ideas. Many people took the harsh trip to reach Mail.

Read More
1411 Words | 6 Pages

The drums were typically used to lead troops into battle. The drum corps became

Read More
1105 Words | 5 Pages

Building of Suspense in Poe’s Works “I became insane, with long intervals of horrible sanity.” -Edgar Allan Poe. Edgar Allan Poe was born January 19, 1809.

Read More
777 Words | 4 Pages

First of all, slaves used elements of medicine and magic from African cultures in their everyday lives by using them whenever they felt a fever coming on or the slaves would use it for protection. Many slaves used magic and medicine for prayer and their way of for healing; treat their illness from their body and soul. Medicine and magic were used when the slaves would get together and do spiritual rituals on their masters. They would also use it as healing power, most of them are leaves, roots and bark. When the slaves would use this remedy it would cause less physical and emotional stress.

Read More
1148 Words | 5 Pages

The snare and the tambourine are the principal features that promote a controlled and consistent rhythm

Read More
2047 Words | 9 Pages

The Philippines has always had a rich musical history. It takes its roots from the indigenous tribes of the Philippines, who used it as a way to pass on epics and stories about gods and heroes, a way to celebrate good harvests, festivals, weddings and births, a way to mourn the dead, to court women, and a way to praise the gods. This music was then enriched by the Philippines’ western colonizers. The Spaniards imparted the zarzuela (called sarswela in the Philippines) and the rondalla, adding more Spanish touches to Filipino folk songs. The Americans, on the other hand, influenced the Philippine music scene by introducing pop and rock, eventually leading to the creation of “Pinoy pop”, which included a wide variety of forms like dance tunes, ballads, rock n’ roll, disco, jazz, and rap.

Read More

More about Sub-Saharan African Music: The Use Of African Instruments

Related Topics

Open Document