Music of Sub-Saharan Africa

1. Music of Sub-Saharan Africa

2. Geographic and Cultural info Sub-Saharan Africa- Everything south of the Sahara Several thousand cultures and 700 different languages Most people are polytheists, live in villages, and still hold traditional jobs Music is as diverse as the peoples but has common elements

3. Music in Society Used in every part of life Entertainment Dances and plays Religious and magic rites Mark special events Work songs Songs to treat ill Praise and criticize leaders Tell historical stories No word for �music�, but words �song�, �dance�, and �poetry�

4. More functions of Music Closely associated with dancing Dancers often play idiophones that are held or tied to the body Often used in communication Imitate rhythm and pitch of words Social activity Spontaneous music making as well as performances Usually no notation

5. Rhythm and Percussion Highly emphasized Complex polyrhythms- usually different patterns played simultaneously Dancers often follow one pattern Percussion ensembles usually consist of instruments specifically chosen for tone color and pitch Body percussion is often prominent

6. Vocal Music Vocal timbre is often varied Singers may whisper, hum, grunt, shout, imitate animals, or yodel Call and response- solo answered by chorus Leader may overlap the chorus Often accompanied by percussion ostinato

7. Texture Often homophonic or polyphonic May sing the same melody at different pitch levels Some peoples perform music where the melodic lines are quite independent of each other

8. Idiophones Most common type in African music Most are of indefinite pitch Some instruments, such as the xylophone are mbira, are tuned Xylophone Ten to over twenty keys Played solo or in ensembles Range in size from soprano to double bass Spider webs can be placed over holes in the resonators to create a buzzing sound

9. Idiophones Mbira Also called a thumb piano Melodic instrument vocalists use to accompany themselves Eight to 30+ metal or bamboo keys attached to sound board, plucked with thumbs and forefingers Slit drum Hollowed out log with a long slit on top Used as both an instrument and a �talking drum� Vary in size from handheld to over 20 ft long

10. Membranophones Essential for religious ceremonies and pacing work �Talking drums� send messages Manufacture is often accompanied by special rites, and sometimes housed in special shrines and offered sacrifices Regarded as property of a group, can symbolize power and royalty

11. Membranophones Usually played in groups of two to four Some can be up to fifteen Drums can be tuned to different pitches to form a melodic element Chief drummer free to improvise, others follow rhythmic patterns Drums come in many shapes and sizes and are made of various materials

12. Aerophones and Chordophones Common aerophones include the flute, whistle, horn, and trumpets Flutes often made of bamboo, cane or wood Trumpets made of horns, tusks, wood, bamboo, or gourds Chordophones plucked or struck Some musical bows have a gourd resonator, others use their mouth

13. Listening Example: Ompeh Featured percussive sounds, complex polyrhythms, and a call-and-response vocal pattern Brief solos answered by longer response from the chorus, singing mostly in thirds Percussion ensemble consists of a slit drum, pan rattles, two headed cylindrical drum, barrel shaped hand drum, and a metal bell