Africa is the second largest continent with over 800 languages and cultures. African music has characteristics like call and response, where a soloist alternates with a group response. Music serves many purposes in African societies like recreation, rituals, work, and storytelling. The influence of African musical styles can be seen in genres like jazz, rock, and rap. Spirituals evolved from African slave music and work songs and helped express the desire for freedom. Traditional African instruments fall into categories like idiophones, membranophones, chordophones, and aerophones. Drums are especially important for communication and celebration in many African cultures.

1. Take A MusicalTake A Musical
Safari To AfricaSafari To Africa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LWUAQsB4AY

2. Characteristics of AfricaCharacteristics of Africa
2nd
largest continent with a population of
approximately 700 million people
Geography – deserts (Sahara), rain forest
jungles, mountains, rivers & lakes, & the
Great Rift Valley
Mostly tropical climate
Animals – elephants, gorillas,
chimpanzees, monkeys, crocodiles,
rhinoceroses, giraffes, and lions
Over 800 languages and cultures

3. African MusicAfrican Music
Call & Response
– generation to generation
Alternates between a soloist and a
group
Call (leader) changes and the
response (group) remains the same

4. Purpose of MusicPurpose of Music
Recreation
- singing, dancing, drumming, and
concerts
Rituals & Ceremonies
– celebrating
Occupational
- work songs, preparing food

5. Social
- child care, story telling, social
games, and parties
Language
- drumming and signaling are
used to send messages

6. Gives birth to many forms of music
Jazz & Rock
African Musical style and practice
Taught and learned orally
Sing & play together easily (teamwork)
- rhythmic singing & clapping children’s
games
Most common form
- call & response

7. Texture is complementary
- many rhythms occurring at the same time
Syncopation – off-beat phrasing
Music is part of most activities
- music and movement are linked to each
other
Buzzy tone quality

8. History of Slavery & MusicHistory of Slavery & Music
 African music existed in simple and complex forms thousands of yearsAfrican music existed in simple and complex forms thousands of years
before white settlers came to the country.before white settlers came to the country.
 Each song had a purpose and was associated with tradition, events, etc.Each song had a purpose and was associated with tradition, events, etc.
 African musical beats and styles have vastly influenced music in the U.S.African musical beats and styles have vastly influenced music in the U.S.
 By 1620s, African people had been sold to white men in Jamestown.By 1620s, African people had been sold to white men in Jamestown.
 By 1980s, entire economy of what would become the United StatesBy 1980s, entire economy of what would become the United States
depended entirely upon slave work. Over 600,000 of these people weredepended entirely upon slave work. Over 600,000 of these people were
native Africans who had arrived to the “New World” via ship.native Africans who had arrived to the “New World” via ship.
 Slave music was outlawed after it was discovered that the slaves couldSlave music was outlawed after it was discovered that the slaves could
communicate through their music; fear of uprising.communicate through their music; fear of uprising.
 English was later adapted to many of the slave songs, creating theEnglish was later adapted to many of the slave songs, creating the
foundation for what we call “spirituals,” which were mostly aboutfoundation for what we call “spirituals,” which were mostly about
freedom.freedom.
 End of 1800s: work songs & spirituals begin to evolve into other forms ofEnd of 1800s: work songs & spirituals begin to evolve into other forms of
music, eventually resulting in ragtime, soul, rhythm & blues, rock and roll,music, eventually resulting in ragtime, soul, rhythm & blues, rock and roll,
scat, jazz, reggae, and rap.scat, jazz, reggae, and rap.
 New perspectives on tempo, syncopation, and improvisation =New perspectives on tempo, syncopation, and improvisation =
characteristic “American music” sound known worldwide today.characteristic “American music” sound known worldwide today.

9. History of SpiritualsHistory of Spirituals
 Spirituals & Work Songs: (a.k.a. “chain gang” songs)Spirituals & Work Songs: (a.k.a. “chain gang” songs)
Expression and emotional support.Expression and emotional support.
 The Underground Railroad: Helped slaves escape to “free”The Underground Railroad: Helped slaves escape to “free”
country; songs of this period include “Wade in the Water,”country; songs of this period include “Wade in the Water,”
“Gospel Train,” “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.”“Gospel Train,” “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.”
 Slavery was abolished in 1865; worship in churches with rootsSlavery was abolished in 1865; worship in churches with roots
in African traditions.in African traditions.
 1925-1985: Spirituals considered traditional songs –1925-1985: Spirituals considered traditional songs –
performed at church, on stage, movies, theater, etc. 1930s –performed at church, on stage, movies, theater, etc. 1930s –
nightclubs; 1950s-60s – Civil Rights (“This Little Light ofnightclubs; 1950s-60s – Civil Rights (“This Little Light of
Mine”)Mine”)
 First Dr. Martin Luther King Day celebrated in 1985, becameFirst Dr. Martin Luther King Day celebrated in 1985, became
a national holiday in 1992. Since first celebration of holiday,a national holiday in 1992. Since first celebration of holiday,
African American spirituals have been considered pieces ofAfrican American spirituals have been considered pieces of
American heritage.American heritage.

10. African InstrumentsAfrican Instruments
Classified into these categories
- Idiophones (main parts vibrate)
- Membranophones (membrane vibrates)
- Chordophones (Strings vibrate)
- Aerophones (Blow into instrument)

11. AerophonesAerophones
Musical instruments which produce their sound by
using air as the principal vibrating factor: air may
be unconfined by the instrument or enclosed
within a tube
Flute, Horn Trumpet, Pan Pipes, Side Blow Ho

12. IdiophonesIdiophones
Musical instruments which produce sound from
their own substance: can be struck, plucked,
blown, or vibrated by friction
Rattles, Bells, Sistram, Thumb Piano, Xyloph

13. MembranophonesMembranophones
Musical instruments which produce sound
from tightly stretched membranes, either
struck or 'singing'
Drums and Tamborine

14. ChordophonesChordophones
Musical instruments which produce sound by
means of strings stretched from one point to
another
Berimbau, Harps, Lute, Ly

15. African DrumsAfrican Drums
Widely Used in African Music
-Communication & Celebration
Language of the drum takes years of
practice
Master Drummer holds the most
honored position in African
societies

16. Bata DrumBata Drum
Nigeria
Two headed drum played with both hands
or struck with a flexible piece of leather
Part of the religious life of some of the
Yoruba people
Characteristics

17. Syncopation
Type of rhythm in which stressed sounds occur
between beats instead of on beats.
Example:

18. Messages in Sound
Master Drummer
- Children begin studying to become master drummers at a very
early age. Has the highest position in African societies
African Proverb
- Wise sayings passed down from generation to generation.
Important in many parts of Africa
Griot
- Talking regional newspaper. Wandering musician/storyteller
responsible for passing along news about what has happened in the
community.

19. Harmony
Two or more pitches sounding at the same time

20. African Art & CultureAfrican Art & Culture
Museum of African Art

21. Resources
http://echarry.web.wesleyan.edu/africother.html
http://www.canteach.ca/elementary/africasong.html
http://home.earthlink.net/~debrajet/list.html
http://polyglot.lss.wisc.edu/afrst/outreach/k-12.html
http://www.thepothole.com/soukous/
http://www.teachers.net/lessons/posts//509.html
http://wus.africaonline.com/AfricaOnline/music/
http://wus.africaonline.com/AfricaOnline/music/Safrica.html