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North African Music |
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North
Africa stretches from Somalia on the East to Morroco
on the West, and often is said to include the second row of countries to the
south (from Ethiopia to Mali). No matter how one divides the region, it is
clear that there are continuities between these countries and differences. |
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What do you
know? o
Indigenous
traditions & External traditions o
Arabic/Islamic
Influence -
Unique
micro-tonal scales & Complex rhythmic tradition -
A “hetereophonic” texture which favors melodic complexity
over harmonic elements -
Unique musical
instruments: Oud, Kanun,
Darbuka (Doumbek) -
Unique Islamic
elements (especially in religious vocal music) o
Local
traditions existed before the spread of Islam. Although diminished, they
still exist -
Example: local Morrocan
music o
The Middle Eastern Oud. This musical
instrument has existed for many centuries. It usually has 10-13 strings,
arranged in “double courses” (side by side on the same pitch). It is played
with a stick-like plectrum. Oud players play ornate melodies using the unique
micro-tonal Arabic scale. They do not generally play chords in the manner of
a Western guitarist. -
Example of
typical Oud solo.
o
The Middle Eastern Qanun (kanun). This musical
instrument is also very old. Like the Oud, it is considered to be “chordophone”
(a stringed instrument), but has many more string.s
Kanun players play ornate melodies like the Oud and
also use the unique micro-tonal Arabic scale. -
Qanun solo and
explanation. This Youtube demonstration of the Qanun is wonderful. The player plays a solo, but also
explains the instrument very clearly. He includes a short demonstration of
how the instrument can play the microtones of an Arabic scale.
o
The Middle
Eastern Dumbek (Darbuka).
The Dombek or Darbukka is
a goblet-shaped single-headed drum found throughout the Arabic world. It is
hand struck using both hands. The instrument can produce a wide range of
expressive sounds from a loud booming center stroke to a high-pitch edge stroke.
The best players have enormous finger dexterity. When multiple players play
together, they often trade solos between each other. -
Example of a 10-year-old Darbuka prodigy. -
Three Egyptian drummers (two Darbukas and an open drum) -
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