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The Music | Pop Song and Musical Theatre | African Music | South African Music | Instrument Glossary
 Although
the continent of Africa holds literally hundreds of cultures, most have
this in common music is an integral part of everyday life. In
Africa, lives are permeated with music. Music has a function in society
beyond simple entertainment songs are written to entertain, but also
to teach, encourage, mourn, heal. Music serves a social function,
helping to strengthen the circle of society, it "deepens the
connection between people who have come together for reasons casual or
profound" (from Where Is the Way: Song and Struggle in South Africa
by Helen Q. Kivnick).
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Repetition |
Repeated pattern
of sound and rhythm. |
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Improvisation |
Because music is
an integral part of African life, it is often spontaneous, made
up on the spot. Improvisation, spontaneous creation of music and
words, is considered a highly regarded skill. |
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Polyphony |
Two or more
melody lines played simultaneously, working together into a
greater whole. |
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Polyrhythms |
Two or more
rhythm patterns playing at the same time. |
| Cross-rhythm |
The accents of a
song coming just after the accents of an accompanying rhythmic
instrument or other rhythmic device, such as hand-clapping or
foot-stamping. Also called syncopation, in a simplified form. |
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Call
and Response |
A choral form in
which a leader sings, or speaks, a line, which is echoed, and
perhaps expanded upon, by the larger group. Call and Response
can also work between two groups. |
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