Overview
This lecture introduces the complex musical traditions of Africa, with a focus on Ghana, its instruments, and their unique cultural roles.
African Music Traditions
- African music has a long, rich tradition and is as complex as Western classical music.
- Ghana, a country in West Africa, contains many tribes, each with its own language and music style.
Musical Instruments of Ghana
- The main instruments are rattles, bells, and drums.
- Rattles are made from gourds with beads; they are typically played with other instruments.
- Bells come in single (high or low pitch) and double forms; the "tokay" bell is used with singing and other instruments.
- Rattles and bells are used during both sad events (funerals) and happy occasions (weddings).
- Drums are made of wood and animal hide, come in various sizes, and can be played by hand or stick.
- Larger drums have low sounds; smaller drums have higher sounds.
- Some drums are carved from a single log and are always played with sticks.
Drums as Communication
- Drums are used to send messages using pitch changes to imitate speech patterns.
- Small drums can send short-distance messages by changing pitch with hand pressure.
- Larger drums transmit messages over long distances using multiple drums for different pitches.
- Drum "language" can convey warnings (e.g., "a lion is near") or announcements (e.g., "the chief is coming").
- Drum messages can be relayed group to group to cover greater distances.
Poetry and Performance
- Poetry from tribes like the Ashanti can be performed on drums instead of spoken.
- An example poem, "The Path and the River," demonstrates how poetry is translated into drum rhythms.
Ensemble and Rhythm
- Rattles, bells, and drums are played together in ensembles.
- The bell player's rhythm is central; others play rhythms that interlock or contrast with the bell.
- Multiple rhythms played together create the complex, shifting patterns that characterize African music.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Rattle — A percussion instrument made from a gourd with beads, used for rhythm.
- Bell (Tokay) — A metallic instrument that produces high and low pitches, often used in ensembles.
- Drum — Wooden instrument with animal hide head, produces sound by striking.
- Ensemble — A group of musicians playing together, each on different instruments.
- Drum Language — Communication method using drum pitch and rhythm to imitate speech.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Listen to recordings of Ghanaian ensemble music for rhythm analysis.
- Review and compare the roles of rattles, bells, and drums in different African music traditions.