GCSE Bitesize: Traditional African instruments
Music of Africa
Women from the Masai tribe, singing. The music of Africa is as vast and varied as the continent's many regions, nations, and ethnic groups. The African continent comprises approximately 20 percent of the world's land mass and has a population of roughly 934 million. African music is as diverse as its cultures and peoples and has flowered in many indigenous forms as well as been shaped by foreign influences. Although there are many different varieties of music in Africa, there are a number of common elements to the music, especially within regions. African music also helps to connect people together in a variety of ways, strengthening the fabric of the community, which in turn reinforces people's commitment to support each other and the community, toward mutual health and prosperity. Traditional music Drummers, part of a large celebration marking the arrival of running water to their village, Ojumo Oro, Kwara State, Nigeria, in April 2004. Musical components Form Rhythmic Structure Texture
African musical instruments
Musical instruments in Africa are not only used for making music, they are also used to communicate to both man and spirit, translating and emitting daily experiences and events. They serve a variety of roles: some may be confined to religious or ceremonial occasions, others are used in a more secular fashion for entertainment. There may be restrictions to the age, gender or social status of the player. The instruments range in size and complexity from hand-held objects to large, elaborate devices constructed of many parts and, even today, they are mostly crafted from natural materials using age-old methods. Most widely spread and played instruments in Africa are the drum, the xylophone, the mbira, rattles and shakers. The one-string musical bow, played all over the continent but now nearly abandoned, was once responsible for all the vocal scales that are used today in African music. There are 4 main categories of instruments plus percussion: - Rhythm idiophonic instruments such as:
History of Celtic Music - Celtic Rings Ltd
Celtic music is defined as music that originates from the countries of Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The people who live in these locations are known as Celts, which is how the music became known as Celtic music. Celtic music is best described as a type of folk music with a distinctive music and lyrics. And, today Celtic music is played and heard not only in Ireland, Scotland and Wales, but also on a worldwide stage. Celtic music has been traced back to the 1600's and is still a popular musical genre today. Celtic music can be defined also as music of the Celt people and has been around for several centuries. While Celtic music has been traced back to the 1600's, it is still one of the world's most popular musical genres. Music was so important to the ancient Celts that a group evolved called the Bards. Back to Celtic Resources
10 Most Popular African Musical Instruments
When it comes to musical instruments, the African continent is well-known for its vast instruments. There are very many tribes or ethnic communities in Africa. Each tribe will have its own unique instruments. Here is The List of 10 Most Popular African Musical Instruments See Also: Top 10 African Music 1. The Kora probably stands out as one of the most famous stringed instruments. 2. Also referred to as a thumb piano, the Kalimba consists of strips placed on a resonator. 3. The talking drum is probably the most known drum from Africa. 4. The Balafon resembles the xylophone or African Marimba. 5. The Shekere is one of the most famous shakers in Africa. 6. The Djembe or jembe is a type of drum found in Central and West Africa. 7. The Udu is a type of drum that has its roots in Nigeria. 8. The Marimba is a type of African Xylophone. 9. The Mbira is a thumb piano that resembles the Kalimba. 10. The Algaita is a popular wind instrument found in West Africa. Recommended Further Reading
African Music and Instruments
Africa is a continent where a rich and diverse cultural heritage exists; hundreds of different languages are spoken in Africa. During the 7th century, Arabs reached North Africa and influenced the existing culture. This is why African and Arab music shares a certain degree of similarity and this extends to some musical instruments as well. Much of traditional African music has not been recorded through the generations and has been passed on to families orally or aurally. Music is especially meaningful to African families in rituals and religious ceremonies. Musical Instruments The drum, played either by hand or by using sticks, is an important musical instrument in African culture. The variety of musical instruments is as diverse as their culture. Singing and Dancing A singing technique called "call and response" is evident in African vocal music. Dancing requires the movement of various body parts in time to the rhythm. Popular African Music Styles
Celtic Music Instruments
From the thump of the Bodhrán to the airy rasp of the wooden flute, celtic music is known by its instruments. Here's an introduction to the main players, with links to more information, for players and afficionados. Fiddle The fiddle is the mainstay of most Scottish and Irish music. Flute Flutes of one sort or another have been played in the celtic countries for over a thousand years. Tin Whistle (pennywhistle) The simplest and cheapest of traditional instruments, yet not so simple to master. More information: Ceolas Tin Whistle guide. Bagpipes & uilleann pipes Several forms of bagpipe are used in celtic music. The Scottish highland pipes are the loudest, played standing, usually in pipe bands. Bagpipe FAQ Bagpipe Web David Daye's Bagpipe site, for Scottish and uilleann pipes. Bombarde This is a small oboe-like shawm with a penetrating sound, used widely in Breton music. Free reed instruments This family of instruments was developed in the early nineteenth century. Banjo Bouzouki Website.
Africa | People, Geography, & Facts
Africa, the second largest continent (after Asia), covering about one-fifth of the total land surface of Earth. The continent is bounded on the west by the Atlantic Ocean, on the north by the Mediterranean Sea, on the east by the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, and on the south by the mingling waters of the Atlantic and Indian oceans. Africa’s total land area is approximately 11,724,000 square miles (30,365,000 square km), and the continent measures about 5,000 miles (8,000 km) from north to south and about 4,600 miles (7,400 km) from east to west. Off the coasts of Africa a number of islands are associated with the continent. The continent is cut almost equally in two by the Equator, so that most of Africa lies within the tropical region, bounded on the north by the Tropic of Cancer and on the south by the Tropic of Capricorn. Britannica Quiz Geography of Africa Quiz Climatic and other factors have exerted considerable influence on the patterns of human settlement in Africa.
