| Egypt and Australia |
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EGYPT Music formed an important part of both ancient and modern Egyptian life and musicians occupied a variety of positions in Egyptian society. Music found its way into many contexts in Egypt: temples, palaces, workshops, farms, battlefields and the tomb. All the major categories of musical instruments (percussion, wind, stringed) are represented in Egyptian music. Percussion: hand-held drums, doumbec, rattles, castanets, finger cymbals called “zills,” tambourines called “daff” or “riqq,” and the sistrum--a highly important rattle used in religious worship. Hand clapping was also used as a rhythmic accompaniment. Wind instruments: flutes (double and single, with reeds and without) and trumpets. There was even a specific trumpet just for King Tutankhamun! Stringed instruments: harps, lyres, and lutes--plucked rather than bowed. Modern Egyptian music ranges from traditional instruments accompanying folk songs to dance music that uses modern Western instruments, traditional Egyptian instruments, and even drum machine dance beats. AUSTRALIA Some of the earliest music in Australia had its origins in the folk genre, music originating and handed down as everyday experience. This music draws from the experiences of many of the different settlers to Australia and the hardships they found living there, especially bush ranging, loneliness and isolation, endurance, drought, floods, droving and shearing. Australian musicians also perform across a range of genres, or styles, and have achieved international recognition with a unique Australian approach. Olivia Newton-John, INXS, and Keith Urban are some famous musicians who have extended and refined the definition of Australian music. Classical music is a big part of Australia's current musical tradition that the opera singer Dame Nellie Melba's picture even adorns the Australian $100 bill! The Sydney Opera House is a world famous structure which houses the Sydney Opera and Symphony, many theaters and even a recording studio. Some traditional instruments used in Australian music are: didjeridu Fun fact: you have to breath in through your nose at the same time you're blowing into this instrument!) clap sticks gum leaf Fun fact: a Eucalyptus leaf places between the hands that makes a whistling sound when air is blown past it bullroarer, or turndun, is a small piece of wood, attached to a long cord which is twisted. When the cord is spun around in a circle above the player's head, it makes a haunting, low sound that can be heard for miles. Fun fact: women and children are not allowed to play this traditional instrument. |
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