Grade 10 / MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS OF AFRICA / QUARTER 2 / MODULE 1 / AFRO-AMERICAN MUSIC

Summary

This video introduces the diverse musical instruments of Africa, discussing their classifications: idiophones, membranophones, lamellophones, chordophones, and aerophones. It explores instruments like the agogo, talking drum, mbira, and kora, describing their history, cultural significance, and sound production methods. The video also highlights African traditions, such as using body percussion and the talking drum for communication. The lesson concludes with a performance test, encouraging viewers to create their own African instruments from household materials. Overall, the video offers a comprehensive guide to the rich musical heritage of Africa.

Takeaways

• 🎶 African music includes a wide variety of genres and instrumental types, similar to Western music, such as strings, winds, and percussion.
• 🔔 Idiophones are instruments that create sound by the vibration of the instrument itself, without using airflow, strings, or membranes.
• 🛎 Agogo is a type of bell instrument from West Africa, known for being one of the oldest Samba instruments.
• 🍉 The Shekere is a gourd instrument from West Africa, covered with beads to create sound, often used in traditional music.
• 🪵 Slit or log drums are hollow percussion instruments carved from bamboo or wood, producing sound through slits on top.
• 🪘 Membranophones create sound by vibrating stretched membranes, like body percussion or talking drums used in African communication.
• 🎸 The Kora is a sophisticated harp with 21 strings, made from a gourd and commonly played in traditional African music.
• 🎤 African lamellophones, like the Mbira, produce sound through vibrating metal tines, often used for spiritual communication.
• 📯 Aerophones are instruments that produce sound by vibrating air, like pan pipes, kudu horns, or traditional African flutes.
• 🎭 The video concludes with a performance test, encouraging students to create improvised African instruments from household materials.

Q & A

What are the main genres of African music as mentioned in the video?

African music includes all the major instrumental genres of Western music such as strings, winds, and percussion, along with a wide variety of specific African musical instruments.

What is an idiophone and how does it produce sound?

An idiophone is a musical instrument that creates sound primarily by the vibration of the instrument itself, without the use of airflow, strings, membrane, or electricity.

Can you give an example of an African idiophone and describe its features?

An example of an African idiophone is the Agogo, which is a single bell or multiple bells. It is considered the oldest Samba instrument and is based on West African Yoruba single or double bells.

What is a membranophone and how does it differ from an idiophone?

A membranophone is a musical instrument that produces sound primarily through the vibration of a stretched membrane, while an idiophone produces sound through the vibration of the instrument's body.

What is the purpose of the talking drum in African culture?

The talking drum is used to send messages, announce events like births, deaths, and marriages, or call for dances, initiations, and even war. It is also believed to communicate with spirits after the death of a loved one.

What is the Mbira and what role does it play in African music?

The Mbira, also known as a thumb piano, is a type of lamellophone with metal tines mounted on a soundboard. It is believed to communicate with ancestors and spirits, often used in rituals to drive away evil spirits.

How does the musical bow function as one of Africa’s oldest string instruments?

The musical bow consists of a single string attached to the ends of a curved stick, much like a bow and arrow. It is the ancestor of all string instruments and can be played in different variations, such as the mouth bow or resonator bow.

What are aerophones and how do they produce sound?

Aerophones are musical instruments that produce sound by causing a body of air to vibrate without the use of strings or membranes. Examples include flutes, horns, and trumpets.

What is the purpose of the kudu horn in African music?

The kudu horn is made from the horn of the kudu antelope and produces a mellow, warm sound. It adds a unique African accent to music and is commonly used in traditional performances.

What is the performance task described at the end of the video, and what are the requirements?

The performance task requires students to apply their knowledge of African musical instruments by creating improvised versions using materials found at home. They must submit their instruments to their teacher for grading based on a provided rubric.