1. African Music
African music has influenced the
Western world.
African music has made great
contributions to world music.
Jazz and blues have deep roots
in African music, which led to
rock and roll, R&B and hip hop.
In its purist sense, it imitates
natures and the realities of life
Follows the circle of life
Some songs recant the cruel
invasion and occupation of
foreigners
Songs also document history,
depict moral values or inspire one
to war

2. NATURE OF AFRICAN MUSIC
Music is used to represent every aspect of life like working,
weddings, funerals, festivals, religion, birth, love, initiation and
royal ceremonies
Musicians at an Ethiopian wedding
Maasai music traditionally consists of
rhythms provided by a chorus of vocalists
singing harmonies while a song leader, or
Maasai Jumping Dance olaranyani, sings the melody. The olaranyani
is usually the singer who can best sing that
song, although several individuals may lead
a song.
Film Clip

3. NATURE OF AFRICAN MUSIC
Music is also used to reflect social concerns
Songs of correct behavior
Songs used in rituals, to teach a lesson, to tell a story
Songs are also historic, patriotic, and used for healing and
mourning
In some societies, instruments could only be played by certain
people
What is the
main idea of
the story of
Abiyoyo?
Abiyoyo Clip

4. Rhythm and Beat
Performance is very important
Sometimes more important than the
words
Music is important part of everyday life
Rhythm and beat are an important part
of music
Audience contributes by singing,
clapping, stamping
Percussion dominates many forms
of music
Drums are important in everyday life
Royal drums have political meaning
Used to communicate
Film Clip

5. AFRICAN INSTRUMENTS
Most instruments are made
of natural materials like
dried skins and wood
Instruments reflect both
the lifestyle and the
environment
Kora
Chordophones
Three types
Bowed (goje (Ghana))
Plucked (kora (Senegal) Ngoni
Strummed (ngoni (Mali))
Goje

6. Idiophones
Made of wood or metal and
makes sound without using
a string
Aerophones
Instruments that produce Balophone
sound through air vibration
Horns (shawm (Sudan)
Panpipes (Swaziland) Lamellaphone or Mbira
whistles are examples
Membranophones
Drums made from hollow or
empty vessels
Heads may be cloth, rubber,
or animal skins
shawm
Used to send messages and
for ceremonies and festivals
djembe

7. THE GRIOT AND MUSICAL INFLUENCE
The Griot
Much of Africa had an oral
rather than written tradition
Historical information was
passed down from generation
to generation by people who
remember the facts and tell
them to others
West African cultures called
this oral historian the “griot”
Information from the griot has
been remarkably accurate and
covers a long period of time
Many were also accomplished
musicians
Stories done in song and dance
Film Clip

8. THE GRIOT AND EXTERNAL
MUSICAL INFLUENCE
Non-African Music Influences
In schools, children still may
sing European songs in
European languages
Large cities are not immune to
Western influences
American and European jazz,
rock and blues are performed
Different parts of Africa have
different types of music
North African has more
middle-eastern influence
South Africa has Portuguese
influence
External musical influence
Blues and jazz is a result of
African and European fusion