West African Drumming (1) Flashcards
Agawu states that “the complexity of African rhythm is a rational complexity” because…
it is not the result of spontaneous improvisation.
time-reckoning
non-linear description of time in Western drumming; “reckoning” with perceived sense of time
“Time-reckoning” contrasts with Western “linear time” because…
it is thought to be circular/spiral; Relates to cyclical element of dance drumming.
Agawu argues that time of music contrasts ordinary time because…
time of music is its own; Musical structures reflect lived time in relation to music.
rhythms of speech
Modes of individual expression; Free rhythm/speech; Frequently proceeds bodily rhythms; ON ITS WAY TO SONG
rhythms of body
Modes of communal expression; Strict rhythm/meter; Closer to music than speech; Makes play possible; Follows speech rhythm; MAIN PART OF SONG
Both rhythms of speech and body…
are basic syntactical units in African performances and describes form for many genres (speech followed by song/dance).
What are the steps of representing the domain of rhythmic expression?
(1) Gesture
(2) Spoken Word
(3) Vocal Music
(4) Instrumental Music
(5) Dance
gesture
Movement of part of body
Rhythmic, but silent
spoken word
Rhythmic and manifests in sounds
Fundamental Attributes: (1) Tone and (2) Rhythm help generate song/vocal music
vocal Music
Free Rhythm (speech–unmetered)
Strict Rhythm (stylized speech–metered)
instrumental Music
Drum Language (speech rhythm) (“Talking drums” resemble recitative free-rhythmic singing)
Dance Music (stylized speech rhythm) (Dance drumming takes over song qualities)
dance
Stylized gesture
Emerges in response to both instrumental/vocal music
Necessary outcome of singing songs and drumming drums
The five categories of different types of song are…
(1) Free (unaccompanied) rhythm
(2) Free (accompanied) rhythm
(3) Strict (unaccompanied) rhythm
(4) Strict (accompanied) rhythm
(5) Free-followed-by-strict rhythm
free (unaccompanied) rhythm
unaccompanied singing in free/unmeasured rhythms
