After hearing the listening examples for session 3, what do you think of the traditional music of Sub-Saharan Africa? Do you enjoy it? Are you interested in hearing more of this type of music? Discuss your response to at least two examples from this session's listening, by name. You can find the music on you tube.

1. Festival Music

This example uses a xylophone, bells, rattles, and childrens voices. All perform with great energy and spontaneity. The xylophonist improvises during sections of the piece where the children are silent. Each of the instrumentalists plays a different rhythm, creating a polyrhythmic sound. Note also that the instrumental ensemble consists entirely of percussion instruments, a characteristic typical of West African music.

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2. Hymn of Praise

Hymn of Praise features a solo female singer accompanied by a musician playing a stringed instrument, probably a harp. The singer uses her voice in a strong, percussive manner, similar to shouting. Some portions of the singing are improvised; other parts consist of literal repetition. Her accompanist plays an ostinato, a rhythmic/melodic figure that is repeated over and over. Hymn of Praise is a religious song, saying There is no God but God. Peace and Blessings be unto you.

Hymn of Praise

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3. Percussion Instruments

This example is noteworthy because it is made entirely of rhythm, typical of certain examples of West African music. In addition, this composition underscores the importance of the drum. You will hear a drum ensemble playing in a framework of polyrhythm (several rhythms performed simultaneously).

Percussion Instruments

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4. Banyala (Wrestling Song, from Kenya)

A young woman meets death at the hands of her jealous boyfriend, because she decided to marry someone else. Her great spirit enters one of the villagers and demands that a wrestling dance be performed in her memory.

The music for the wrestling dance features drums, along with solo singers and chorus. The singing includes call and response, solo singing, unison singing, chanting, and ululation. At times, you will also hear whistling and the use of accelerating tempo.

Banyala

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5. Ire Do Do Ye

Drums, shakers, and cow bell provide polyrhythm and syncopation for Babatunde Olatunji, the distinguished Nigerian percussionist and singer. He chants a melody, sometimes in unison with a group of singers, at other times in call and response. The singing and drumming are powerful, typical of the West African style. Note that the tempo of the piece becomes faster as the performance continues. This characteristic is found in many West African compositions.

Ire Do Do Ye

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6. Ayinde

Drums, shakers and cowbell enter one at a time as the piece begins, a characteristic heard in many other West African instrumental introductions. The singers perform in unison, and they use note bending at the end of some of their phrases.