African music is very traditional and has been handed down
from father to son and from generation to another. When a music concert is
forthcoming, posters will be pinned on every street wall, radio adverts play
and the final day for the concert sets in. Africans line up in queue with
either their money or tickets in their hands, eagerly waiting for the
performance from the Artiste of the day.
The magic about going to an African music concert is much
different from going to a classical concert. At a music concert the audience
will join in by clapping, singing or playing an African music instrument,
rather than just sitting and listening to the music quietly. Most people will
stand up during the performance, raise their hands as they sing along..
It is interesting and interactive. The music (African)
sounds very different from European classical music. Although it is nearer to
popular music styles, it still seems very unusual to western ears.
Music instruments like the drums are more complex than those
found in Europe. Western music is usually played with the same rhythm
throughout the piece. African music, however, is often played with a number of
rhythms at the same time. This is known as a polyrhythmic style of music.
At the heart of African singing is the "call and
response" style. In this style a group of singers might sing a line which
is repeated or answered by a soloist. African artistes also like to put a lot
of emotion into their performances as if they were acting a part. They like to
shout words.
African instruments are often made from plants and animal
products such as hide and bone. African artistes are very fond of percussion
instruments and use a wide variety of drums, clappers, scrapers, gongs and
xylophones.
Perhaps the most famous African percussion instrument is the
"talking drums". By loosening or tightening the cord around the body
of these drums variations in pitch can be produced which are so subtle they
sound like the human voice. Stringed instruments such as bows, lyres, lutes,
zithers and harps are popular as well as wind instruments like whistles, reed
pipes, trumpets and horns.
Since the 1980's there has been a growing interest in
African music from amongst American and English record buyers. Musicians such
as Youssou N'Dour from Senegal and Hugh Masekela now have an international
reputation. With more upcoming young energetic artistes, Africa is destined for
musical superiority.
Harps are played
mainly north of the Equator, in a broad band extending from Uganda to the
western Savannah. Harp-lutes, such as the Gambian kora, are popular in West
Africa. Other string instruments include fiddles in East Africa and the musical
bow, fashioned like a hunting bow and played, with varying techniques and great
sophistication, throughout the continent.
Africa singing and
dancing has survived as long as we can remember the existence of humankind.
African music will last long after we are gone. For more information, Please
visit AFRICAN MUSICIANS and watch
traditional African Videos
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