Music 239: Introduction to World Music - Lecture Notes

Chapter 3: Music of Africa

Overview of Africa

• Population: 800 million people
• Extremely diverse in terms of languages and ethnic groups
• Focus of the class: 4-5 cultures out of many
• Importance of ensembles in African music
  • Emphasis on community and sharing music rather than solo performances

Call and Response

• Call and response structure prevalent in African music
• Ensemble playing is key to the experience

Example: Postal Workers' Song in Ghana

• Composition of postal workers whistling a hymn while working
• Transcription available in the textbook
• Performance Activity: Students participate in reconstructing the rhythm and performing the piece
• Importance of collaboration in musical settings

Definition of Music

• Humanly organized sound: African view contrasts with Western perspectives where certain activities may not be considered music
• Example: Postal music not viewed as "music" by performers

Syncopation

• Accented notes off the beat, demonstrated in the postal workers' song
• Key concept in African music

Instruments of Africa

• Variety of instruments: drums, harps, bells, gourd resonators, xylophones
• Example of water drum made from gourds
• Instruments often created from available materials

Cultural Elements

• Music and dance are inseparable in African culture
• Ancestor reverence connects music to religious beliefs
• Importance of passing down musical traditions through generations
• Role of gender in musical traditions: typically, drummers are male and singers are female

Characteristics of African Music

1. Repetition: Common in pieces
2. Pentatonic scale: Scale often used
3. Non-Western sense of pitch: Variation in pitch
4. Choral and solo singing: Predominance of ensembles
5. Call and response: Major structural element
6. Polyrhythm: Two or more contrasting rhythms; notably 3 against 2
7. Syncopation: Accented offbeats
8. Buzzing/rolling sounds: Characteristic sounds from certain instruments
9. Storytelling through song: Musicians as historians
10. Body movement: Dance integrated with music
11. Variety of instruments: Idiophones, membranophones, aerophones, etc.

Rhythmic Structures

• Rhythm is central to African music, compared to harmony in Western music
• Demonstration of polyrhythm (3 against 2)
• Clave Rhythm: Originates from Africa and is present in Latin American music

Specific Music Style: Aget Kor

• Originates from the Aay people of Ghana and Togo
• Celebratory dance often linked to military victories
• Historical context: music used to inspire bravery among warriors

Discussion Points

• Compare cross-cultural uses of music to inspire action (Scottish bagpipes, Native American dances, etc.)
• Importance of the bell rhythm in Aget Kor and its relation to polyrhythms
• Role of missionaries and cultural clashes in eradicating traditional music
• Gender roles in African music contrasted with other cultures

Conclusion

• Importance of understanding the cultural context of music
• Upcoming classes will explore more about Aget Kor and other African musical traditions.