Music of the Worlds Quiz 2 (PART 1)

Syncretism

The merging of two or more distinct cultural identities to form a new, hybrid one.

Westernization

A process where long-established musical traditions, through interaction with white Europeans, are overtaken by Western culture. The final product is primarily Western but may retain some aspects of the native culture.

Modernization

A process where a native culture preserves its own future by selectively adding Western elements in order to survive.

Western Harmony

Based around a tonal center (a "home" key).

homogenization

blending of unique musical characteristics into hybrid forms of music

Examples of Homogeneity in Modern Music

- Electronic instruments (guitars, etc.)

- The strong presence of percussion instruments

- Extensive syncopation (the accenting of certain beats of the meter that are normally unaccented)

- A relatively brief song format presentation.

- Each song conveys its message within these parameters. Alternative Terminology

Localization

Emphasizes the fact that the outside element is blending with the local elements in order to maintain lopngevity of musical culture

Internationalization

Integration of new elements into global, political and market systems

Indigenization

Ties to past traditions express a sense of local collectivity

Western Music Structure

Often built in phrases, with a common length of 4 bars.

Western Art Music

term used to describe classical musics

Native American Texture

primarily monophonic

Native American Melody

Often follows a high-to-low contour.

African Veiw of Music

a communal activity and an integral

part of life, rather than a performance.

group activity

In Ghanaian culture, music is often a_______ and not seen as a formal performance.

Ghost Dance

A late 19th-century Native American religious movement and spiritual dance believed to reunite the living with the spirits of the dead

and bring peace.

Drum ensembles

most common arrangement of instruments used in Ghana culture

Postal Song Cultural Qualities

Qualities of Modernization and Syncretism

- combines distinct African and

Western elements.

Peyote

A psychedelic plant narcotic used in the religious ceremonies of the Native American Church.

Postal Song Melody

A monophonic line whistled by one person, reminiscent of a Western-style Christian hymn.

Postal Song Rhythm

Ostinato and Polyrhythmic

- percussive sounds created by their work tools, which is a characteristic of African music.

Agbekor

"clear life" and refers to war songs designed to signify the ending of a battle and being now in the clear

- They are learned through oral transmission.

Agbekor Instruments

drums, shakers and Gankogui

Gankogui

The bell that acts as the leader of the drum ensemble; all other instruments follow its pattern.

- plays in a 6/4 or 4/4 time signature.

Form of Agbekor

Call and Response: A lead singer calls, and a chorus of background voices responds.

Polyrythm

African music is fundamentally based on _____, which is the simultaneous occurrence of several distinct rhythms.

Syncopation

African musical rhythm where the expected accent or beat is shifted to a normally unaccented beat, creating a sense of surprise and forward drive.

Function of Music in African Cultur

Music is deeply integrated into life and is often used for major communal events like funeral rituals and other important celebrations.

Highlife

West African popular music combining indigenous melodies and instruments with the influence of Western rock and jazz.

Isicathamiya

a specific style of a cappella singing and also refers to the dancethat accompanies the song.

Origin of the Agbekor

Ewe-speaking people who live on the Atlantic coast of western Africa in the nation-states of Ghana and Togo.

- performance based on moneys

"Colonized" European Music (Syncopation's Spread)

When Africans were exposed to European musical culture (particularly through the diaspora), they introduced a highly

syncopated sensibility in a syncretic way.

Qualities of Isicatamya

Polychoral - Sung by a chorus

Heterophonic - Main melody with slight variations by individuals

Includes both Men & Women

Call & Response