World Cultures Study Guide
India
1. Sitar : A 20 stringed instrument used in traditional music from India.
2. Drone : A single pitch or note, played rhythmically and continuously as a background in music from India.
3. Tambura :A four stringed instrument used to play the drone.
4. Tablas :Single headed drums used to create rhythmic patterns in music from India.
Mali
5. Xylophone Ensemble :
A group of musicians from Mali, Africa. Along with the xylophones, other instruments, such as guitars, metal clappers, drums or voices are used. They frequently perform complex rhythmic and melodic patterns.
Gambia :
6. Kora : A stringed instrument resembling a lute or banjo, and a harp. Two sizes using 5 to 21 strings.
7. Griot :A professional musician from Gambia. Uses his songs to relay or document the history of a tribe or village.
Zimbabwe:
8. Mbira:A melodic instrument from Zimbabwe and other African cultures, using a wooden frame with metal tongs attached to the frame. It is also called a kalimba. The player plucks the metal tongs with his/her fingers.
Turkey:
9. Ney: A recorder-like wind instrument used in the traditional music of Turkey.
10. Taksim:The art of improvisation, or making up new music as you go,
in traditional music from Turkey.
11. Ornaments: Added notes that decorate a basic melody in traditional music from Turkey.
Japan:
12. Kabuki:A popular form of opera-like drama in Japan.
13. Nagauta Ensemble: A group of musicians who perform in
very formal concert settings to accompany the kabuki.
14. Drums of Japan
O-tsuzumi: A double headed laced drum used in the
Nagauta Ensemble.
Ko-tsuzumi: A double headed laced drum used in the Nagauta
Ensemble.
Taiko: A large double headed drum used in the Nagauta
Ensemble. It is set up on a frame to handle its size
and is struck with large sticks.
15. Shamisen: A stringed instrument used in the
Nagauta Ensemble.
16. Bue: A piccolo-like wind instrument used in the Nagauta
Ensemble.
Indonesia:
17. Gamelan:The traditional ensemble of Indonesia. The ensemble
consists mainly of metal instruments such as gongs,
cymbals, bells, and metallophones (metal xylophones),
with additional drums, flutes, and stringed
instruments. Some of the gongs play melodies, and
others set the meter or tempo of the music.
A major characteristic of a “gamelan” is how the
instruments “layer” sounds to create their individual
styles.
The two islands we study are Java and Bali.
Characteristics of Gamelan music from the two islands:
Java
- Originally used for the Javanese Royalty
- Great spiritual effect
- Instruments made in sets
- Emphasis on restraint, stillness, and balance
Bali
- Originally used in Hindu Temples
- Accompanied by dancers
- Instruments made in pairs
- Fast, shimmering sound with many starts and stops