AFRICAN MUSIC

FUNGGA,
ALAFIA
ASHE,
ASHE

WELCOME
MY FRIEND
WELCOME
TODAY

Characteristics of Africa
2nd largest continent with a population of
approximately 700 million people
Geography deserts (Sahara), rain
forest jungles, mountains, rivers & lakes, &
the Great Rift Valley
Mostly tropical climate
Animals elephants, gorillas,
chimpanzees, monkeys, crocodiles,
rhinoceroses, giraffes, and lions
Over 800 languages and cultures

Purpose of Music
Recreation
- singing, dancing, drumming, and
concerts
Rituals & Ceremonies

celebrating

Occupational
- work songs, preparing food

Social
- child care, story telling, social
games, and parties
Language
- drumming and signaling are
used to send messages

GRIOTS
- Highly
skilled
musicians

CHARACTERISTICS
OF AFRICAN
MUSIC

1. Polyrhythmic
-. They perform
two or more
basic rhythms
simultaneousl
y.

2. Wide range of
tonal quality
is observed
among the
Africans.
(open voice quality, open

3. Group
singing
is done
through a
call-response

CHAY, CHAY KOO LAY

CHAY, CHAY, KA FEE
NSA
KOE FEE SHE LAHN
GA
CHA-CHA CHEE LAN
GA

Gives birth to many forms of

music Jazz & Rock
African Musical style and practice
Taught and learned orally
Sing & play together easily (teamwork)
- rhythmic singing & clapping childrens
games
Most common form
- call & response

Texture is complementary
- many rhythms occurring at the same time
Syncopation off-beat phrasing
Music is part of most activities
- music and movement are linked to each
other
Buzzy tone quality

African music

Music is central to every aspect of

traditional life, from rituals to
entertainment. Virtually all drum music is
to accompany dancing or singing.
Music is passed on through oral tradition
rather than notation, and in West Africa
particularly there are hereditary musicians
called griot or jali who can trace their
family heritage back to the 12th century.
The griot pass their musical skills on to
their sons from a very young age and are
highly respected (and paid) within their
communities.
Master drummers are soloists and
conductors. They set the rhythm, pulse
and decide upon solos and dynamics. They

Musical styles: African

In African music repetition is often used

to organise the music. The interaction of
players hands establishes a repeating
pattern (ostinato) which players use as a
basis for improvisation.
Polyphony has many musical parts or
rhythms interweaving with each other.
Polyrhythm is the simultaneous sounding
of two or more individual rhythms (3
against 4).
Call-and-response is very popular. The
chorus repeats a fixed refrain in alternation
with a lead singer, who then has more
freedom to improvise. This makes the
music conversational.

Music-making is a
dynamic activity that
involves not only
singing
polyphonic music and
playing instruments,
but
also dancing activities

AFRICAN MUSICAL
INSTRUMENTS

IDIOPHONES

1. RATTLES
. Primary held
by hands
. Secondary
worn by the
performers on

2. CLAPPERS
- Wood or
stone

3. SCRAPPED
and
STAMPED

4. MBIRA
- Sansa or
hand
piano

5. XYLOPHONE
- Made up of
series of wooden
slabs, or keys
mounted on a clay
post, or on

MEMBRANOPHONES

1. DRUMS
The drum is a
precise means
of
communication

AEROPHONE
S

 Flutes
Reed
pipes
Horns

CHORDOPHONES

1. ZITHERS
-. Stringed
instruments
that
are positioned

2. LUTES
- Are instrument
with strings that run
parallel to their
necks and are
played
through plucking or

3. HARPS and LYRES

- Used to
accompany solo
singing, poetry,
narrative songs,
and praise
songs.

KUM BA YAH MY
LORD
KUM BA YAH
(3X)
OH LORD, KUM
BA YAH

SOMEONES
PRAYING, LORD
KUM BA YAH
(3X)
OH LORD, KUM
BA YAH

SOMEONES
SINGING LORD,
KUM BA YAH
(3X)
OH LORD, KUM
BA YAH