A
Quick Story About African Music
Where Does It Come From -
What Is African Music, Really?
African music is as diverse
as the peoples that inhabit the continent. Many
people think that it is all African tribal music.
They have heard African drumming music, no doubt,
in some PBS documentary, and think it typifies the
entire continent. No disrespect to West African
drumming – I absolutely adore it.
African Musical
Instruments
It is important to understand
the number of cultures and traditions that come
from Africa. African musical instruments are some
of the most interesting and varied creations in the
world, and the ways that people choose to play them
are equally varied.
My Story About African
Music
I first got into African
music by accident. I was actually downloading music
on the Internet, and stumbled across an album. It
was mislabeled, and I loaded it onto my computer
without knowing what it was.
What I heard just blew me
away. The rhythms were complex, the melody was
interesting, and the harmonies were gorgeous. I had
never heard anything like it. I resolved right away
to get in to African music.
Since then, I have understood
what an ambitious task this is. African music runs
the gambit from the tribal drumming music of West
Africa to the haunting melodies of Egypt.
Although there are some broad
trends in African music, there are many exceptions
to all of the trends. No matter where you start,
you have a long way to go if you want to learn
about the music of Africa.
African Music Comes To
America
One of the most interesting
things about African music is that it really
enhances your understanding of the music of
America. It is just amazing how much influence it
has had on the development of rock 'n
roll.
When downloading African
music, you can almost hear the roots of rock in the
poly rhythms of African percussion. Looking at
African musical instruments, you can see how they
influenced the development of more modern musical
instruments.
Not only have African drums
had a huge effect on the development of the drum
set, but African music instruments also lie behind
such modern mainstays as the banjo.
Understanding African
Music And Culture
In my experience, it is
always fun to understand the music, art, and
stories of another culture. Learning about African
music is not only an artistic experience, although
it is that.
When you buy African
traditional music, you get a little glimpse of what
it might be like to live in another place and time.
It can be a meaningful look into another world and
a totally different culture.
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More Music Notes
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Accompaniment
Music
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We hear this music all the time but don't
ever think about it ... Until
now!
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80s
Greatest
Hits
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This musical decade produced a wide
variety of music. Everyone has their
favorite musical decade and many people
are nostalgic for the 1980s.
80's.
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