Features And The Role That Globalization Has Played On African Music (Research Paper Sample)

AFRICAN MUSIC: CHARACTERISTICS AND IMPACT OF GLOBALIZATION
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Over the years, music has brought a great impact on the society. The African Music has undergone tremendous changes over the years due to the advent of globalization. Unlike the traditional African music that was produced and performed by the traditional instruments, contemporary African music is produced using sophisticated technological infrastructure.
Characteristics of African Music
Produced and performed during various rites of passage
One distinct characteristic of African Music is that it was primarily produced to accompany the different rites of passage. In the traditional African culture, there were several rites of passage such as birth, initiation, marriage and death. During such ceremonies, musicians were expected to compose music depending on the type of the occasion. For example, during death, people were expected to sing dirges while mourning the departed.[Kofi, Agawu. Representing African music: Postcolonial notes, queries, positions. Routledge, (2014): 124-127]
Presence of various of unique musical instruments
The musical instruments that were used in the composition of African music are also different from the ones used by other cultures. For example, idiophones such as shakers, drums, clap sticks, bells and mbira are commonly used. Moreover, aerophones such as flutes, horns, whistles and flutes (kora) are used during the composition of the music.
Presence of in call-and–response strategy
According to the African music, the lead singer sings a line that is followed by a chorus. The soloist can change the song while the chorus stays the same throughout the song. The chorus is always in block chords. This strategy enables the music to follow a call and response pattern until the song is completed. The audience can also join in the chorus, but it is not mandatory.
Presence of dynamic melodies
Another feature of African songs is that the melodies can be changed by the soloists to communicate different messages to the listeners. For example, the performer can sing about love, hatred and even political issues. The melodies are also short and simple and thus easier to memorize.
Impact of globalization on the production of African Music
Globalization has led to the adoption of advanced technology that has redefined the music production in Africa. Due to the presence of modern technology, music producers have been in a position to use highly sophisticated and high quality recording equipment’s and music video production machines. Unlike in the past that the music instruments were generated from traditional instruments, today music production is done through the use of advanced recording devices in the music studios. This has led to the increase in the number of songs produced by the musicians. For example, contemporary Afric...