The first item that I researched for this topic were other instruments in Sub-Saharan Africa. The first musical device that I found is an idiophone and it is called the Balafon. This instrument is similar to the European xylophone. The Balafon is one of the instruments the griots in Gambia will play to share the history of their ancestors. This instrument dates back to the formation of the Mandinka Empire. The first Griot who used this instrument has two stories of how the Balafon came into existence. The first is that it was given to Sunjata by a spirit and he had to play the Balafon because that was the only thing tied to his name. The other myth is that his identity was solely the Balafon, with that, he was injured so he could go nowhere. Therefore, he could only stay in front of the king and play music on the Balafon. A difference between the Balafon and the drums of the village is that it was created in court tradition. This means that it was created to praise the kings and perform ceremonies. Last item regarding the Balafon, the construction. In order to create this instrument you have to be very skilled. The gourds have to be cut individually once they are all tied together. So, if one thing goes wrong, the process has to start again. There is some history and the building of the Balafon. Below I have attached a video for one griot playing the instrument.
The next item that I found interesting is actually another instrument, but this time it is an aerophone. They are considered to be like European trumpets, but do not expect the usual trumpets that you usually hear. These trumpets in Africa are usually used for signaling like verbal praises for chiefs and rulers, but also used for musical performances. In Western Africa, these instruments are usually made out of gourds, wood, hide, and horn. Each trumpet can only play one or two notes; therefore, when performing there are usually multiple musicians playing in hocket fashion. Hocket Fashion is a musical technique of alternating between notes, pitches, or chords. One of the names for these trumpets are the Kakai. Below there is a video of someone playing this instrument.
When I researched musicians in Madagascar I found Mama Sana. She connected with me because the first item she was popular for is practice music therapy without even knowing it. This resonated with me because my sister is a music therapist and I am able to see all of the good music has done for the children she works with. Mama Sana was a singer and player of marovany and through her songs brought out illuminated texts and incredible melodies. Another part of her life is that she was the keeper of the musical tradition of the Menabe. Below is one of the songs that she has preformed.
Hi Alyssa! Ironically, I also researched the kakai and Madagascan music. Learning about and listening to the Balafon was really interesting, especially the process to make one. The kakai interested me a lot as well, especially when I realized the length of one is almost the height of myself! if you like the tradition Madagascarn music, you might like salegy as well, since it is considered modern Madagascarn music.
Thanks for showing me what a balafon is before your blog I didn't even know they existed. I love the myth and the creation story behind it and I like how you go into detail on how to make the instrument because people really don't know how hard it is to make a instrument.
Hi Alyssa, I had researched a very similar instrument to the balafon in the Marimba which is a double row vs your single row instrument. It was interesting reading about the Kakai and listening to someone play it, especially as someone who played the trumpet back in highschool.
For my blog this week, I researched Swing music. I have always been drawn to this kind of music as I used to listen to it with my grandparents when I was younger. So, when I had this chance to research swing jazz, I jumped on the opportunity. Now, let me talk to you about this music that has brought so much joy to many Americans including me and my grandparents. Swing is a type of jazz music that was first introduced in the 1930’s through the 1940’s. One distinct difference that makes swing music unique is that you are easily able to groove to the beat. Part of that reason is that the music accentuates beats 2 and 4 and then replaces steady eighth notes with lifting/upbeat eighth notes while adding accents and syncopation. Attached below is an actual piece of jazz sheet music, so you can understand what I was trying to explain. The history of Swing music is that it was derived from African roots and jazz music that just got started in the United States. Swing music received popula...
For this Music and Family blog, I chose to interview my mom. She is in her 50’s and was able to experience the famous 80’s and 90’s first hand! I had an amazing time with this interview and I am excited to tell you about some of the things I learned. So, first of all, my mom played the flute both through her middle school, high school, and college years. My mom was part of the marching band at her school and at one point played the piccolo. She explained that it was a release of her stress when she played her instrument. In fact, when I was in 5th grade I was also interested in playing the flute and I was able to play hers. Being able to play the flute that she played was special to me because I knew I was playing for her. Secondly, my mom explained that her music taste has definitely changed throughout the years. When she was younger, she loved Journey the most. She actually went to tow of their concerts and had the time of her life. Now, as she has aged her preferred musi...
After watching the documentary in class I was very interested in the Fancy Dance both the dress and style of music. While researching the Fancy Dance in more depth, I learned that one type called the Fancy War Dance was developed by Gus Mcdonald. He was a Native American from the Ponca tribe in Oklahoma. McDonald had a huge impact on the Native American culture; the current matriarch of the Ponca tribe, Julep Farmer McDonald, presents the trophy to the winner of the Fancy War Dance. Part of the Fancy War Dance is the “feather pull” that Gus McDonald also invented. It evaluates the dancer’s agility and ability to keep time with the drum. One interesting fact is that the “feather pull” can only be done with permission of the McDonald family. Additionally, the Fancy War Dance is used as a form or prayer to respect the ancestors and specifically for the McDonald family. G, About Paul. “Native American Fancy DANCE: What Is Fancy Feather Dancing?” PowWows.com , 1 Feb. 2020, www.powwows...
Hi Alyssa! Ironically, I also researched the kakai and Madagascan music. Learning about and listening to the Balafon was really interesting, especially the process to make one. The kakai interested me a lot as well, especially when I realized the length of one is almost the height of myself! if you like the tradition Madagascarn music, you might like salegy as well, since it is considered modern Madagascarn music.
ReplyDeleteThanks for showing me what a balafon is before your blog I didn't even know they existed. I love the myth and the creation story behind it and I like how you go into detail on how to make the instrument because people really don't know how hard it is to make a instrument.
ReplyDeleteHi Alyssa, I had researched a very similar instrument to the balafon in the Marimba which is a double row vs your single row instrument. It was interesting reading about the Kakai and listening to someone play it, especially as someone who played the trumpet back in highschool.
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