Nonwestern Music MaterialsNonwestern Music Materials

Reflects/expresses world’s diversityReflects/expresses world’s diversity

Each culture has its music practice

– Some have all three—folk, pop, and classical

These musics influence western music

– Especially true in the twentieth century

- French composer Claude Debussy

- British rocker George Harrison

- Jazz artist John Coltrane

NONWESTERN MUSIC

Music in Nonwestern Cultures

Characteristics of Nonwestern Music

It reflects its supporting culture

– Frequently linked with religion, dance and drama

– Often used to communicate messages and relate

traditions

Ethnomusicology

Oral Tradition

– Music notation far less important than in western culture

Frequently transmitted by oral tradition

- Many cultures do not have a music notation

- When they do, it serves as a record, not for teaching or

performance

Ethnomusicology

Improvisation

Improvisation is frequently basic to the musicImprovisation is frequently basic to the music

– Improvisation usually based on traditional melodic

phrases and rhythmic patterns

Ethnomusicology

Voices

Singing usually main way of making music

Vocal approach, timbre, and techniques vary throughout the world

– Nasal sound

– Strained tone

– Throat singing

– Many others

Ethnomusicology

Instruments

Four types based upon sound production:Four types based upon sound production:

– Chordophones—stretched string- Harp-type

– Aerophones—performer’s breath

- Flutes, trumpets, etc.

– Idiophones—instrument’s body is sound generator

- Bells, gongs, scrapers, rattles, etc.

– Membranophones—stretched skin

- Primarily drums

Ethnomusicology

Style and application within culture causes particular types of instruments to dominate

– Idiophones/membranophones: rhythmic emphasis

– Aerophones aid in outdoor performance

Geography and materials availability influences

– Strings allow great flexibility of pitch

Religion also influences instrumentation

Ethnomusicology

Melody, Rhythm, and Texture

Most nonwestern musics are monophonicMost nonwestern musics are monophonic

– Some cultures use heterophony

– Sometimes accompanied by a drone

- All perform same melody with different ornamentation

Ethnomusicology

– Intervals between tones can be larger or smaller

Much nonwestern music has very complex rhythms

Scales in nonwestern music are frequently quite

different than western musical scales

Ethnomusicology

Interaction between Nonwestern and Western Music

Nonwestern music has been greatly impacted by western influences due to:Nonwestern music has been greatly impacted by western influences due to:

– Spread of technology

– Increased urbanization

Some governments subsidize traditional music to

preserve cultural heritage

– Almost worldwide access to recorded music

Ethnomusicology

Music in Sub-Saharan AfricaAfrica is divided into two parts: above and below Africa is divided into two parts: above and below

the Sahara Desertthe Sahara Desert

– Above: Muslim,

Arabic-speaking,

music closely related

to that of the Middle

East

– Below: Extremely

diverse, many

religions, cultures, and

languages (over 700)

Africa

Though Sub-Saharan music is diverse, there are some similarities:

– Complex rhythms and polyrhythms

– Percussive sounds

– Wide variety of instrumental ensembles

– Vocal music often a soloist and responding chorus

Africa

Music in Society

Music permeates African life from religion, Music permeates African life from religion,

entertainment, and magic to rites of passageentertainment, and magic to rites of passage

It is so interwoven into life that the abstract word

“music” is not used by many peoples

Africa

Closely associated with dancing in ceremonies,

rituals, and celebrations

– Dancers frequently play and sing while dancing

Music is a social activity—everyone joins in

No musical notation—passed by oral tradition

Africa

Elements of African Music

Rhythm and Percussion

The body used as an instrument

Complex rhythms and polyrhythms predominate

Dancers choose to follow any of the various rhythms

– Clapping, stamping, slapping thigh/chest

Africa

Vocal Music

Wide variety of sounds, even within a single piece

Percussion ostinato frequently accompanies singers

– Call and response extremely common

Short musical phrases repeated to different words

Africa

Texture

Often homophonic or polyphonic

Same melody often sung at many pitch levels

– This is unlike most nonwestern musics

Africa

African Instruments

Idiophones

Xylophones, a favorite, come in many sizes

Most common African instrument

Most are of indefinite pitch

“Talking drum” with slit in side can produce two to four tones

Africa

Membranophones

Used in many ceremonial and work-pace applications

Drums usually played in groups—multiple players

– Drum manufacture often accompanied by special rites

Variety of shapes, sizes, and forms

Africa

Aerophones and Chordophones

Flutes and trumpets (of wood and horn) most common

Chordophones plucked or struck, gourd resonators

– Reed instruments less widespread

Africa

ListeningListeningOmpehOmpeh

Song from central GhanaSong from central Ghana

Music of the Akan-speaking peoples in Ghana.Music of the Akan-speaking peoples in Ghana.

Listen for:Listen for: Call and responseCall and responseSolo vocalist and chorusSolo vocalist and chorusPercussion ensemblePercussion ensemble

Africa