The music of West Africa is characterized by two main aspects: rhythm and melody. The rhythm is generally the most important, and West African songs are polyrhythmic featuring two or more conflicting rhythms. … Rhythms are often played by percussion instruments, but also from the sounds of dancing.
What are some characteristics of West African music?
A “buzzy” or “raspy” tone quality is desirable in both singing and instruments.
…
Characteristics of West African Music:
- Music is usually taught by oral tradition.
- Unity and teamwork is emphasized in most cultures so West Africans sing and play together easily.
- Music and movement are usually linked together.
How would you describe African music?
African music consists of complex rhythmic patterns, often involving one rhythm played against another to create a polyrhythm. The most common polyrhythm plays three beats on top of two, like a triplet played against straight notes. … African musicians aim to express life, in all its aspects, through the medium of sound.
What is a common style of music in West Africa?
Call and Response A common style of music in West Africa is known as call and response. In call-and-response singing, a leader plays or sings a short phrase, known as a call.
What is West African music called?
Afrobeat is a music genre with major popularity throughout West Africa. … Afrobeat is influenced by palm-wine music and Ghanaian highlife, as well as jazz, funk and fuji. Fela Kuti devised the term ‘Afrobeat’ as early as 1968 in his home country of Nigeria.
What are 3 characteristics of African music?
Songs include accompanied and unaccompanied solos, duets and choruses. Unaccompanied choruses are an example of a cappella singing. Songs are usually either strophic (split up into verses) or are in call-and-response form.
What are the main features of African music?
Songs include accompanied and unaccompanied solos, duets and choruses. Unaccompanied choruses are an example of a cappella singing. Songs are usually either strophic (split up into verses) or are in call-and-response form.
What are the 5 kinds of African music?
14 African musical styles for you to explore
- Soukous. Soukous is a form of music that stems from rumba. …
- JuJu. Juju style originally came from Nigeria, a country which has produced many styles that managed to spread all around West African countries, including juju, jaija, fuji, ozzidi, palm-wine, highlife and afrobeat. …
- Mbalax. …
- Zilin. …
- Gnawa. …
- Mbaqanga. …
- Chimurenga. …
- Majika.
5.04.2018
Why do you think African music is unique?
African music is very rhythmic, expressing all aspects of life through the medium of sounds. … Mostly, the traditional music in the continent is passed down orally, not in written form. Bringing People Together:- Every part of African continent contributes to the music of this land in their own unique way.
What is the most important element of African music?
The music of West Africa is characterized by two main aspects: rhythm and melody. The rhythm is generally the most important, and West African songs are polyrhythmic featuring two or more conflicting rhythms.
What makes West African music unique?
The music of West Africa is characterized by two main aspects: rhythm and melody. The rhythm is generally the most important, and West African songs are polyrhythmic featuring two or more conflicting rhythms. … Rhythms are often played by percussion instruments, but also from the sounds of dancing.
What is the purpose of African 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.
Which instrument is most commonly used in West African music?
West Africa (specifically Mali and the Mande people) has many of these harp/lute type instruments but the most widely known and used is the Kora.
What music do Africans listen to?
Many genres of popular music like blues, jazz, afrobeats, salsa, zouk, and rumba derive to varying degrees on musical traditions from Africa, taken to the Americas by enslaved Africans. These rhythms and sounds have subsequently been adapted by newer genres like rock, and rhythm and blues.
Where does West African music come from?
Major and minor migrations of African peoples brought musical styles and instruments to new areas. The single and double iron bells, which probably originated in Kwa-speaking West Africa, spread to western Central Africa with Iron Age Bantu-speaking peoples and from there to Zimbabwe and the Zambezi River valley.
What are the classification of African music?
Answer: There are five groups of Sub-Saharan African musical instruments: membranophones, chordophones, aerophones, idiophones, and percussion.