What is the most important element of African music?
Throughout Africa, there are four distinct categories of musical instruments: drums, wind, self-sounding and string instruments. The African drum (called the heart of the community) is the most significant instrument as it reflects people’s moods and emotions, and its rhythm holds dancers together.
Who is the king of Nigerian music?
“King” Sunny Ade enjoyed noble status not only through birth into the Yoruba royalty of southwestern Nigeria but also through popular acclaim as the “King of Juju” since the late 1970s.
What is the origin of Nigerian music?
The earliest styles of Nigerian popular music were palm-wine music and highlife, which spread in the 1920s among Nigeria and nearby countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Ghana. In Nigeria, palm-wine became the primary basis for jùjú, a genre that dominated popular music for many years.
What are the main features of African music?
Among the qualities of African music which may be considered characteristic, then, we may include the following: an emphasis on rhythmic and metric complexity expressed throughout the musical system; the use of extended syncopation, or off- beat phrasing of melodic accents, as a melodic device; the antiphonal call and …
What kind of music is used in Africa?
Music is an important part of traditional African life. The styles of music vary across the countries of Africa. The music features a number of percussion instruments. Percussive instruments are a part of life in some African societies. Traditionally they have been used for: Music and dance are an integral part of the African culture.
How is music played in villages in Africa?
Music and dance are mainly performed by large groups in villages. The music played by drum ensembles is very complex in rhythm and texture. The rhythms are not normally written down and are instead passed between people through aural tradition. The master drummer has the most elaborate part, leading the drum ensemble and playing solos.
How are polyrhythms used in African drumming?
polyrhythms are frequently played in African drumming – the figure is an example of a polyrhythm Although the two rhythms divide the bar of music into different segments they both are to be played over the same period of time the rhythms can be displaced creating a cross-rhythm
What kind of music does moctare Sawane play?
Moctare Sawane is a djembe drummer and singer from Senegal in West Africa. Moctare introduces this clip by talking about his instrument and djembe playing in Senegal. He performs a traditional piece called ‘Salia’ live in the studio. Features the following concepts – voice, striking, pulse, syncopation.