Sub-Saharan West Africa Essentials PDF

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1.) The musicultures of Sub-Saharan West Africa and Bali focus on rhythm. Compare the two using terms learned in this course that appropriately describe aspects of each society’s rituals and customs. In comparing both Bali and West African music styles, both make use of idiophones. However, in Sub-Saharan West Africa membranophones, chordophones or aerophones are also used depending on specific location. The people of Bali mainly practice Hinduism while in West Africa they practice Christianity and Islam. Although they practice different religions, their culture speaks expressively through their music. Balinese music is rich in melody and texture and is often played outside or in open temples or pavilions. West African music is used in rituals more as a celebration of life.

2.) Thinking about No. 1 above and using the HIP approach as well as music terms learned in Module 2, explain your reaction to the sounds of West African music in comparison with those of Balinese music. In both Bali and West African styles, music, dance, and drama are connected, and the instruments and dances are used to tell stories. Thinking about the HIP approach, after understanding how music is used in Bali and West Africa, it’s easier to understand why the people perform it the way they do. In addition, the beating of the drums makes more sense, knowing there is a language they are speaking. Personally, I find both styles to sound like noise. However, according to the 5 Propositions of sound, both are indeed classified as music.

3.) Describe how “talking drums” might communicate the words “the king is dead.” The talking drum’s pitch can be regulated to mimic the tone patterns of human speech. This is done by varying the tension placed on the drumhead: the opposing drum heads are connected by a common tension cord. The waist of the drum is held between the player's arm and ribs, so that when squeezed the drumhead is tightened, producing a higher note than when it's in its relaxed state; the pitch can be changed during a single beat, producing a warbling note. The drum can thus capture the pitch, volume, and rhythm of human speech, though not the qualities of vowels or consonants. The message, “the king is dead” might be translated by the drummers as “the king is dead, long live the king”. The extra phrases provide a context in which to make sense of the basic message or drum beats. “Talking Drum.” Wikipedia. Accessed 2 Apr. 2018. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talking_drum

4.) Based on material presented and discussed in class, identify two or three points that reinforced or transformed your perception of the communities of West Africa and their music.

I would say my main fascination comes from the talking drum. Something that’s interesting to me is the classification of the drum being male or female. I would think the female drum would have a higher pitch while the male has lower, but it just so happens to be the other way around. Another thing, at first, I thought that the beats on the drum was just noise and didn’t have meaning. However, I now understand that there is language that the drums are speaking, and it is a very difficult talent to be able to play.

5.) Complete the following statement: The most startlingly impressive aspect of West African music is ___the ability of the instruments (the talking drum) to communicate messages___....