MUS 185 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Sub-Saharan Africa, Congo Pygmies, Music Of Africa
7 May 2016
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Document Summary
North african region has arabic influence (more middle eastern) Popular music: many varieties; influenced by other non-african cultures. Music-making takes place as part of everyday life. Music is understood as an essential component as they go thru life cycle: ex: funerals, birth, coming of age, wedding, lose tooth, etc, certain forms must take place. Music is generally organized as social event: ensemble performance is more common than solo performance, shared experience; expression of group sentiments. Performances: take place outside in some sort of common area, very informal, spectators are often participants in some way (important) Social/ethnic groups found in equatorial forest regions of africa. Environmental & social factors: forest jungle environment, visits to and stays in villages occur but they are also nomadic, hunter-gatherer subsistence, cooperation; egalitarianism- everyone is on same level, no hierarchy. Impact on music: instruments are few & simple. Usually small instruments: vocal music is most important.
