African MusicAfrican MusicAfrican MusicAfrican MusicAfrican music has influenced the Western world.African music has made great contributions to world music.

Jazz and blues have deep roots in African music, which led to rock and roll, R&B and hip hop.

In its purist sense, it imitates natures and the realities of life

Follows the circle of lifeSome songs recant the cruel invasion and occupation of foreigners

Songs also document history, depict moral values or inspire one to war

NATURE OF AFRICAN MUSICNATURE OF AFRICAN MUSICMusic is used to represent every aspect of life like working, weddings, funerals, festivals, religion, birth, love, initiation and royal ceremonies

Musicians at an Ethiopian weddingMusicians at an Ethiopian wedding

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Maasai Jumping DanceMaasai Jumping Dance

Maasai music traditionally consists of rhythms provided by a chorus of vocalists singing harmonies while a song leader, or

olaranyani, sings the melody. The olaranyani is usually the singer who can best sing that song, although several individuals may lead

a song.

Maasai music traditionally consists of rhythms provided by a chorus of vocalists singing harmonies while a song leader, or

olaranyani, sings the melody. The olaranyani is usually the singer who can best sing that song, although several individuals may lead

a song.

NATURE OF AFRICAN MUSICNATURE OF AFRICAN MUSICMusic is also used to reflect social concernsMusic is also used to reflect social concerns

Songs of correct behaviorSongs of correct behaviorSongs used in Songs used in rituals, to teach a lesson, to tell a story, to teach a lesson, to tell a storySongs are also Songs are also historichistoric, patriotic, and used for healing and , patriotic, and used for healing and mourningmourningIn some societies, instruments could only be played by certain In some societies, instruments could only be played by certain peoplepeople

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What is the main idea of the story of Abiyoyo?

Rhythm and BeatRhythm and BeatPerformance is very importantPerformance is very important

Sometimes more important than the Sometimes more important than the wordswords

Music is important part of everyday lifeMusic is important part of everyday lifeRhythm and beat are an important part Rhythm and beat are an important part of musicof music

Audience contributes by singing, Audience contributes by singing, clapping, stampingclapping, stampingPercussion dominates many forms Percussion dominates many forms of musicof music

Drums are important in everyday lifeDrums are important in everyday lifeRoyal drums have political meaningRoyal drums have political meaningUsed to communicateUsed to communicate

Performance is very importantPerformance is very importantSometimes more important than the Sometimes more important than the wordswords

Music is important part of everyday lifeMusic is important part of everyday lifeRhythm and beat are an important part Rhythm and beat are an important part of musicof music

Audience contributes by singing, Audience contributes by singing, clapping, stampingclapping, stampingPercussion dominates many forms Percussion dominates many forms of musicof music

Drums are important in everyday lifeDrums are important in everyday lifeRoyal drums have political meaningRoyal drums have political meaningUsed to communicateUsed to communicate

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AFRICAN INSTRUMENTSAFRICAN INSTRUMENTS

ChordophonesChordophones

Three typesThree types

Bowed (goje (Ghana))Bowed (goje (Ghana))

Plucked (kora (Senegal) Plucked (kora (Senegal)

Strummed (ngoni (Mali))Strummed (ngoni (Mali))

Kora

Goje

NgoniNgoni

Most instruments are made Most instruments are made of natural materials like of natural materials like dried skins and wooddried skins and wood

Instruments reflect both Instruments reflect both the lifestyle and the the lifestyle and the environmentenvironment

IdiophonesIdiophonesMade of wood or metal and Made of wood or metal and makes sound without using makes sound without using a stringa string

IdiophonesIdiophonesMade of wood or metal and Made of wood or metal and makes sound without using makes sound without using a stringa string

Balophone

Lamellaphone or Mbira

AerophonesAerophonesInstruments that produce Instruments that produce sound through air vibrationsound through air vibrationHorns (shawm (Sudan)Horns (shawm (Sudan)Panpipes (Swaziland)Panpipes (Swaziland)whistles are exampleswhistles are examples

AerophonesAerophonesInstruments that produce Instruments that produce sound through air vibrationsound through air vibrationHorns (shawm (Sudan)Horns (shawm (Sudan)Panpipes (Swaziland)Panpipes (Swaziland)whistles are exampleswhistles are examples

shawm

MembranophonesMembranophonesDrums made from hollow or Drums made from hollow or empty vesselsempty vesselsHeads may be cloth, rubber, Heads may be cloth, rubber, or animal skinsor animal skinsUsed to send messages and Used to send messages and for ceremonies and festivalsfor ceremonies and festivals

MembranophonesMembranophonesDrums made from hollow or Drums made from hollow or empty vesselsempty vesselsHeads may be cloth, rubber, Heads may be cloth, rubber, or animal skinsor animal skinsUsed to send messages and Used to send messages and for ceremonies and festivalsfor ceremonies and festivals

djembe

THE GRIOT AND MUSICAL INFLUENCETHE GRIOT AND MUSICAL INFLUENCE

The GriotThe GriotMuch of Africa had an Much of Africa had an oral oral rather than written traditionrather than written traditionHistorical information was Historical information was passed down from generation passed down from generation to generation by people who to generation by people who remember the facts and tell remember the facts and tell them to othersthem to othersWest African cultures called West African cultures called this oral historian the this oral historian the “griot”Information from the griot has Information from the griot has been remarkably accurate and been remarkably accurate and covers a long period of timecovers a long period of timeMany were also accomplished Many were also accomplished musiciansmusiciansStories done in song and danceStories done in song and dance

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