Musical-Instrument-of-Africa

Musical Instruments of Africa

  • African music features a wide array of genres, encompassing important instrumental categories from Western music, such as strings, winds, and percussion.

  • A remarkable variety of African instruments exist for both solo and ensemble performances.

Classification of Traditional African Instruments

A. Idiophone

  • Definition: Instruments producing sound through the vibration of their own material rather than requiring air flow, strings, or membranes.

1. Agogo

  • Instrument type: Single or multiple bells, known as the oldest samba instrument from West Africa (Yoruba).

  • Characteristic: Highest pitch among bateria instruments.

2. Shekere

  • Instrument type: Gourd and shell megaphone.

  • Description: Made from a dried gourd covered with beads woven into a net.

3. Slit/Log Drum

  • Instrument type: Hollow percussion instrument.

  • Description: Constructed from wood or bamboo, featuring slits cut into the top.

4. Atingting Kon (Slit Gong)

  • Instrument type: Hollow wooden cylinder with a slit.

  • Cultural significance: Represents voices of ancestors; produces a deep tone.

5. Balafon

  • Instrument type: Wooden xylophone or percussion idiophone.

  • Historical significance: Played in the region since 1300s and enjoyed royal patronage in the 16th century in Sikasso/Mali.

6. Rattles

  • Description: Made from shells, plants, or metals; may consist of several joined objects to create sound.

7. Rasp or Scraper

  • Instrument type: Hand percussion created by scraping notches in curved wood.

B. Membranophone

  • Definition: Instruments generating sound primarily through vibrating stretched membranes.

1. Body Percussion

  • Practice: Utilizing the human body to create music through clapping, slapping, or stomping.

2. Talking Drum

  • Instrument type: Used to convey messages for various social events.

  • Cultural belief: Capable of communicating with spirits.

3. Djembe

  • Description: Goblet-shaped drum played with bare hands; crafted from hollowed trunk covered with goat skin.

C. Lamellophone

  • Definition: Instruments with plucked tongues or keys mounted on a base, producing sound through vibration.

1. Mbira (Kalimba/Thumb Piano)

  • Description: Plucked tines on a sound board; often used for spiritual communication.

2. Array Mbira

  • Description: Redesigned version of the Mbira with up to 150 metal tines, known for its unique sound.

D. Chordophone

  • Definition: Instruments that produce sound by vibrating strings stretched between fixed points.

1. Musical Bow

  • Description: Consists of a single string attached to a curved stick; considered an ancestor of all string instruments.

a. Mouth Bow

  • Specific type: A single string bow similar to the musical bow.

c. Earth Bow

  • Description: Flexible pole with a string that resonates in a hole dug into the ground.

2. Lute

  • Description: Similar in shape to modern guitars; features resonating body.

3. Kora

  • Description: Sophisticated harp made from gourd; features 21 strings with adjustable tension.

4. Zither

  • Instrument type: Strings stretched along a varying-sized body.

5. Zeze

  • Description: Fiddle with one or two steel strings, played with a bow or plucked.

E. Aerophone

  • Definition: Instruments creating sound through vibrating air without using strings or membranes.

1. Flute Panpipe

  • Construction: Consists of cane pipes of different lengths producing distinct notes when blown across.

2. Horns

  • Example: Kudu horn, known for its mellow tone.

3. Reed Pipes

  • Description: Instruments generating sound via vibrating reeds.

4. Whistles

  • Description: Small signaling flutes made from wood or other materials.

5. Trumpets

  • Construction: Made from various materials including animal horns or gourds and often decorated with animal skins.

Rubric for Improvised African Musical Instrument Creation

  • Construction: Quality of materials and creativity used.

  • Quality of Construction: Neatness and sturdy construction.

  • Dynamic and Tonal Variety: The instrument's ability to produce different sounds.

  • Time and Effort: Effective use of class time in the design and construction process.

  • Demonstration: Clear presentation of the instrument's use in class.