AoS3: African

Question 1

What are some of the Instruments used in African Music?

Answer 1

Djembe
Dunun
Agogo

Question 2

What are they?

Answer 2

Djembe - Shaped like a goblet, Played with hands, Traditionally played by men.
Dunun - Double headed drum, Played with a stick, Sometimes one player plays more than one at a time.
Agogo - Can produce two different pitches, Played with a stick, The agogo player often leads the ensemble.

Question 3

What is the structure of African music?

Answer 3

The master drummer controls the structure
Instruments start and stop as instructed
Short improvisations are developed around set patterns

Question 4

When is African music played?

Answer 4

work, religious ceremonies of birth, naming, rites of passage, marriage and funerals.

Question 5

What rhythmic devices are used in African music?

Answer 5

Polyrhythms, Crossrhythms

Question 6

How are these played?

Answer 6

Polyrhythms - Two or more simple rhythms played at the same time.
Crossrhythms - A complex type of polyrhythm that uses ‘conflicting’ rhythms

Question 7

How is African music learnt?

Answer 7

By ear

Question 8

How is the Djembe played?

Answer 8

The bass - striking the drum in the middle of the skin.
The tone - striking the drum on the edge of the skin.