Abstract
This paper scrutinizes the definition of music, how this definition is communicated. First, the advancement of musicologists is used to describe music and study its functions. Our study is mainly based on African music, its origin, and the instruments that are used to communicate it (Weman, p. 53). This leads to a discussion of how music has been organized and described. Aligned on this background are different ways of instituting the meaning of music are reviewed, focusing on established African musical analysis techniques,
Our aim in this research is to examine existing music communication models and to propose a revised music communication model which incorporates significant elements of existing music communication models, and modes of analysis. To do this we set several objectives. We review definitions and descriptions of music, review theories of signification and communicative practices relative to music, review existing models of music communication and propose (tentatively) a revised music communication model. For music to communicate and have meaning there must be people involved, and that perceived surface differences between musical works cannot have any significance without an understanding of how music relates to the emotions, both in its creation and its use and understanding (Todd, p. 56).
Introduction
Traditional African music is very old and it is compared to being the same age as the human race. As he characteristic of the continent, African music is diverse and wide in terms of origin and style. The music is categorized in terms of the region from where it first emerged and is currently practiced. The continent is home to close to over three hundred tribes, with each sometimes being split into more than two sub-tribes. From the vast plains and the unique deserts in the north to the gigantic mountains in the south, the continent, as well as its music, is rich both in terms of the instruments used, dances accompanying the music as well as a genre used in passing the message to its audience.
The tonal languages of Africa make its Music so rich and diverse. Our aim in this research is to examine existing music communication models and to propose a revised music communication model which incorporates significant elements of existing music communication models, and modes of analysis. To do this we set several objectives. We review definitions and descriptions of music, review theories of signification and communicative practices relative to music, review existing models of music communication and propose (tentatively) a revised music communication model. For music to communicate and have meaning there must be people involved, and that perceived surface differences between musical works cannot have any significance without an understanding of how music relates to emotions, both in its creation and its use and understanding
Music plays a major role in African society as it encompasses several functions both in social settings which in cooperate music as p[art of life. Music is also employed in rituals such as circumcision, birth and death rituals. Last but not least music is also utilized for recreational purposes and often accompanies men and women as they relaxed and go about their duties.
Music from the continent is subdivided into around two regions i.e. sub-Saharan and North Africa. These two regions are geographically spread. The communities and genres covered by these two regions also demand that the study of music incorporate as many dances and instruments as possible. Music from the two regions is different in terms of genres and associative practices such as dances. Music from North Africa has a close relationship with that from the Middle East as the region is geographically closer to the Middle East region. This can be manifested through common dances and genres from which both regions have a shared border. Sub-Saharan music on the other hand mostly comprises genres from East, central, south, and West Africa. Music from these regions has a mixture of Arabic, European as well as Asiatic influence conjured from former colonizers and shared boundaries with other continents.
History
The linkage between music and Africa is deep such that there are some communities and tribes that don’t have a word to describe music as it is perceived that music is part of life. Music has been transferred down through generations through a variety of compositions. Indigenous African music is distinctive in style compared to Music from Arabic and western cultures. But it is a known fact that indigenous African music is or was mainly cultivated from the Sub Saharan countries where the cultures are as diverse as the people. African music is mainly from two regions; that is from the Northern region and the sub-Saharan region. Both sides have different kinds of music, dances, and instruments accompanying the Music. Thus the melodies and the rhythms generally follow this intonation; they rise and fall according to what is being conveyed in the music (Agordoh, p. 90). The songs were mainly composed for different occasions and also at times the mood of the composer. These compositions were based on the different intonations of the particular culture and even some of the instruments were played to imitate the rhythm and the pitch of the words. Sometimes this music was composed based on the different sounds the composer heard from the environs. Ululations came from such circumstances (Kariamu, p. 67).
Influence of the compositions
African music has been influenced by a lot of factors. As mentioned earlier there are diverse cultures within Africa. The different tribes lived and migrated to different places within the African continent mainly in search of greener pastures, better-cultivating land, and also good hunting and fishing grounds. With these movements, it came about the influence of music. They composed music based on experiences that they underwent. Factors like drought made them compose music to make the rain gods bring rain. Music was composed to describe the form where they had traveled from to where they were.
Food was also a factor that influenced music. During the harvesting period, songs were composed to thank the gods for the abundance of food. During this period there was also a lot of drinking so songs were also composed towards the merrymaking. Work songs also came into play as the harvesting was a labor-intensive exercise.
Different tribes live in different places. For example, tribes that live within the central regions of Africa have a different feel of their music compared to those from the coastal regions of Africa. Music from the coast has a slow mostly relaxed feel compared with music from vigorous dances from the central parts of Africa. Different tribes also came into contact with each other thus through intermarriage and integration of cultures there came up a certain type of music. A good example is seen with the Bantu. As much as their different tribes the music has a certain similarity. The music and the dances are highly vigorous. Lastly, each society had a different way of governance with different kinds of leaders. Songs were composed to hail their leaders and their achievements. The way of governance influences the music styles.
Types of traditional music
There are different types of music within sub-Saharan Africa. The types are many and are as diverse as the continent itself. A few of these will be discussed.
On the east African coast of Kenya and Tanzania, there is chakacha music. It is characteristically slow, mellow music performed and watched by women during a marriage ceremony.
As mentioned earlier, African music is very diverse. We shall try to break it down into different levels to get a better understanding of it. It can be the first split into two main regions: The Northern region and the sub-Saharan region.
North African Music
Music from this part of the continent exhibits attributes such as solo performances by artists. Music from this region is very different from that exhibited in sub-Saharan Africa through the different instruments that are used in playing the music and also through the different dance forms practiced. Northern African music is wide as it consists of music that has been there for centuries and that has also assimilated other genres of music from the Middle East. The music from this region has added important aspects to contemporary music. This is manifested when we consider musical genres from the Moroccan Chaabi and el Gil. Countries that practice this category of music as their culture are situated in the North. They are Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, and Libya. North African music is mostly termed Magrebian. There is also Andalusian music which is very significant in terms of the mode in which it is played. This is a style that incorporates Arabic music. The music has been transformed from the original style orientated in the dates between the ninth and fifteenth centuries. The music is directly related to the Algerian country and the Gharnati people who live there. The music quickly spread in the days of the Ottoman Empire. Of special note is Morocco which was not under this empire but still practices this genre of music.
Sub-Saharan Music
Music from this region is categorized according to the region from where it originates from. There are several regions located in the sub-Sahara and each region contains its genre of music and different style used in dancing and playing of the instruments. There is the eastern region which comprises countries such as Kenya, which is known for its rich cultural heritage. The other country is Tanzania which is a neighboring country to Kenya. There are also other numerous countries located on the Eastside.
Sub-Saharan Africa also comprises countries located in the western and central parts of Africa. All of the sub-Saharan traditions put a lot of emphasis on singing because it is a major way of communication. African traditional music is functional music and is sung to fulfill a certain function. The performances are usually very long depending on the song. Some songs could be sung for over 20minutes and this could be even considered as a short performance. A lot of the time or some of the songs could involve the audience.
Songs were composed and sung for different types of occasions. There are work songs that are sung during work and were mainly in unison. Songs were also sung during childbirth to welcome the newborn into the society and to also wade off evil spirits against the child. One of the most colorful occasions of marriage was highly celebrated by song and dance that could go on for a full day. There were many other occasions that song and dance were used such as during hunting, political activities, and even to pay tribute to fallen ancestors (Kariamu, p. 101).
Music from the sub-Saharan region has some basic characteristics. The music is based on a polyrhythmic pattern. This is done by joining two or more rhythms to come up with one rhythm. This is done by superimposing cross beats over main beats thus creating a specific subset of polyrhythm. These patterns represent the emotions being expressed within the song. The cross-rhythm pattern is the basis for such music coming from the Niger and the Congo regions which has one of the richest compositions of sub-Saharan music. In sub-Saharan Africa, the most common key pattern used is the standard pattern or the seven-stroke figure (Todd, p. 76).
Conclusion
African music is very rich in content and also related to languages found in the continent. Most of the singing found in the music is practiced through singing and also through musical instruments. Africa is an enormous continent with a very rich culture in terms of music. Its music is very diverse from North Africa to the sub-Saharan countries. The instruments also used are also very diverse and the dances also that accompany them are also the same. Indigenous African music is distinctive in style compared to Music from Arabic and western cultures. But it is a known fact that indigenous African music is or was mainly cultivated from the Sub Saharan countries where the cultures are as diverse as the people. African music is mainly from two regions; that is from the Northern region and the sub-Saharan region. Both sides have different kinds of music, dances, and instruments accompanying the Music. Thus the melodies and the rhythms generally follow this intonation; they rise and fall according to what is being conveyed in the music (Agordoh, p. 90).
Music is a part of life as it describes our day-to-day activities and feelings. African music has always been present in daily life as well as in cultural practices. African music is so diverse as well as encompassing in every aspect. Instruments used are also categorized according to the region in which they originate. The music in this continent is still unexplored but shows a lot of promise if exposed to the world stage. Artists are bound to succeed. It is hence through the study of musicology that we will be able to eliminate prejudices that have been attached to the continent, its culture, and music associated with it.
Works Cited
- Agordoh, Alexander. African music: traditional and contemporary. New York: Nova Publishers, 2005.
- Kariamu ,Asante. African dance: an artistic, historical, and philosophical inquiry. Durban: Africa World Press, 2008.
- Todd, Jeff. Worlds of Music: An Introduction to the Music of the World’s Peoples. London: Oxford Publishers, 2009.
- Weman, Henry. African Music and the Church in Africa. Nairobi: READ BOOKS, 2008.