| Ghana, Israel and United Kingdom |
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Ghana: The southeastern coast of Ghana represents one of the most prominent Sub-Saharan regions for drumming. Music in these regions is as much a part of life as talking and dancing is as comfortable as walking! There is a song to go along with every aspect of daily life, it is only sung at the functional time. You would not sing a ‘washing’ song, unless you were washing clothes. Music in Ghana is not listened to, it is sung and danced by everyone. Singing is very important and is an extension of speaking. A leader calls out a phrase with melody and the groups responds. This is called ‘call and response’ singing. There are three main kinds of songs, secular (everyday life songs), ceremonial, (which bring people together at weddings, funerals and naming ceremonies) and esoteric or private songs (which belong to a particular tribe or group and cannot be sung by anyone else). Singing is closely connected to drumming in sub-Saharan cultures. They believe that the gods can speak through the drums, so they bless the drums to assure that they speak properly. In Ghana, some groups believe that the drum has a soul. The master drummer in a tribe will lead the village in making music together and they are amazingly skilled at keeping the beat steady and exact. Some instruments in Ghana: Mbira or Sansa: Hand piano Marimba: Wooden keys played with mallets and amplified by gourds. Slit log drum Axatse: Rattle made from a hollow gourd or calabash Gankogui: Double bell or gong Kidi: drum that is about 2 feet tall and it’s head is 9 inches in diameter. Responds to lead drummer. Israel: The state of Israel, which was established in 1948, is in many ways a global village and is home to Jewish immigrants from 127 countries. They began returning in the late 1800’s after being in exile for 2000 years. These immigrants brought their traditions and culture with them. Sabra is the name given to those who were born in Israel and they will sing songs of the good old land of Israel. These songs talk of the hard life and of love. They can be accompanied by an accordian, a guitar or harmonica. Other songs are set to Russian or Slavic melodies to reflect those cultures. Singing the songs in Hebrew was encouraged by the state to identify the language as that of the new nation. It was often not easy to blend so many cultures musically. Integrating Eastern and Western (including Middle Eastern and African) music can sound forced, but it was encouraged to create a unique national style. Much like the United States though, the music is as varied as the lands from which their people immigrated. Another unique style of music is called “Klezmer” and originates with Jewish communities in Romania and Eastern Europe. Some intruments from Israel: Shofar: Rams horn used for religious services Harp Cymbals or Tamborine Accordian Guitar Violin Cymbalom: A zither style instrument that is laid flat and played with mallets. United Kingdom: The music of the people of the United Kingdom encompasses the cultures of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Record of this music goes back all the way to the Medieval Period where music was used in the church, the court and the rural village. Early songs sung by troubadours and the madrigals sung by the upper classes are excellent example of early English secular music. Each of the cultures that make up the U.K. has a strong folk tradition of song, as well as dance and reflect an Irish influence. By the Baroque period, British musicians were becoming increasingly involved in the developments of art music in Europe, while Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland continued to preserve and develop their regional folk cultures. Common threads are the use of ballads and laments in song and reels, jigs and hornpipes in dance as well as the instrumentation of fiddles, harps and pipes. Music festivals and communal dance are also common throughout. Some instruments from the U.K.: Chamber Orchestra instruments: Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass and Harpsichord Harps of various sizes Bagpipes Fiddles Mandolins: Curved back oval string instruments |