West African Drumming (2) Flashcards
polyrhythm
simultaneous use of 2+ contrasting rhythms in a musical texture
Claims about synchronization in polyrhythmic music say…
polyphony/polyrhythms reflect the freedom of vocal/instrumental musical expression in Central African societies through indifferent attitude to notions of time/space; African ensemble music utilizes a disciplined/coordinated plurality.
Dancing in polyrhythmic music is significant because…
it helps to make the metric underpinning apparent.
lead drummer (AKA master drummer)
Beats “mother drum”
The duties of the lead drummer are to…
Performs most involved/complex rhythm; Takes charge of ensemble; Tells stories on drum through pattern variety
Orality is significant in lead drumming because…
Difference dances call for different lead-drum patterns
Patterns of a performer are sourced from…
learned procedures to make a preplanned narration.
The primary medium for the preservation and transmission of African vocal and instrumental music is…
oral/aural transmission.
Agawu says that notation…
in forms has limits, but it is not productive to ask whether one should notate African music.
Agawu compares/contrasts Western and African music through…
jazz (it is a notated/Westernized variation of African music).
