It's all about the music!
African music is where it all started. We all originated from Africa whether we like it or not. African music has several purposes. It could be for religious reasons, to celebrate, or just because they are just in the mood. There are eight characteristics that define African music: Polyrhythms, ostinato, the use of percussion, background shimmer, close connection with the music and language, participatory nature of the arts, a close connection with the performing arts, responsorial form. To give you better understanding:
Polyrhythms: Different meters or metrical starting points going on at once.
Ostinato: A short musical pattern that repeats over and over.
Use of Percussion: Drums, rattles, bells, xylophones, and the mbiras.
Background Shimmer: Often attaches beads, coins, and other small objects to their instruments to create a constant buzzing or rattling in the background.
Close Connection with Music and Language: Combination of pitch that represents spoken syllables and form a kind of speech illustrate the close association between music and words.
Participatory Nature of the Arts: Music is something everyone does.
A Close Connection Between the Performing Arts: A song is considered poetry and dance thus African cultures imply that a musical performance will include singing and dancing.
Responsorial Form: An exchange between a single performer's vocal or instrumental call a group response.
Polyrhythms: Different meters or metrical starting points going on at once.
Ostinato: A short musical pattern that repeats over and over.
Use of Percussion: Drums, rattles, bells, xylophones, and the mbiras.
Background Shimmer: Often attaches beads, coins, and other small objects to their instruments to create a constant buzzing or rattling in the background.
Close Connection with Music and Language: Combination of pitch that represents spoken syllables and form a kind of speech illustrate the close association between music and words.
Participatory Nature of the Arts: Music is something everyone does.
A Close Connection Between the Performing Arts: A song is considered poetry and dance thus African cultures imply that a musical performance will include singing and dancing.
Responsorial Form: An exchange between a single performer's vocal or instrumental call a group response.