African Music (Quiz 1) Flashcards
Improvisation
is a another word for being able to create music on the spot
Call and response
Two phrases or melodies performed by different people, where the second phrase is in response to the first
Polyrhythms
Two or more contrasting (different) rhythms played simultaneously (at the same time)
Master Drummer
a virtuosic musician who acts as the ‘caller’ during the performance
Virtuosic/ Virtuoso
describes a musician with exceptional and extraordinary technical and musical abilities
Rhythm
the musical pattern in time
Djembe
a traditional single-headed African drum
Balafon
A tuned melodic West African percussion instrument a bit like a marimba or xylophone
Shakere
A shaker made from gourd with beads attached
Agogo Bells
Bell-like instrument which can create two different pitches when struck with a stick (high and low)
Ostinato
a repetitive rhythmic or melodic pattern that repeats again and again
Syncopation
is when you accent or emphasise the weaker off-beats e.g. in 4 beats in a bar, to syncopate it you could accent beats 2 and 4, not 1 and 3
African Singing
Usually based on a limited number of pitches (notes), for e.g. only using four, five, six or seven note scales
Polyrhythms
A polyrhythm is the combination of two or more different rhythms played simultaneously (at the same time), overlapping each other.
Cross Rhythms
A cross rhythm is a more complex (difficult) type of polyrhythm, which uses different ‘conflicting’ (incompatible) rhythms. Often, the rhythms do not follow the same pulse. This is known as a two against three cross rhythm.
Call and Response
Call and response is simple. One person shouts, or plays a ‘call’, and the rest of the performers (or audience) respond.
What is one of the main traditions embedded within African?
One of the main traditions embedded within African musical culture, is drumming.
Was music important in Africa?
Music in Africa is very important when it comes to religion.
How music passed down?
Traditional music in most of the continent is passed down aurally and is not written.
What was one reason sounds and rhythms were used in African music?
To communicate messages from one person to another or one tribe to another or for religion or rituals.
