The History of African Music

African music is one of the most fascinating musical forms in the world. It is a combination of several different styles that have evolved over time, but it is always based on the rhythms of the human body. The history of African music dates back more than 5000 years, and it has been influenced by many other cultures.

In the past, there were many different kinds of African music, but today, most people know only a few types of music. These include the following:

Traditional African Music - This type of music is usually based on percussion instruments such as drums, gourds, and rattles. It is usually sung in praise to God or in celebration of some event.

Mbira - This is a stringed instrument made from a cow horn with a long metal bar attached to each side. It is played by plucking the strings with the fingers.

Harmonica - This instrument was invented in Africa, and it is still used today. It consists of a small box with two sets of metal tubes that vibrate when air is blown through them.

Jazz - This style of music was first introduced in America in the 1920s. It combines elements of American music with those of African music.

Zouk - This is a dance form that originated in Africa. It is a mix of Caribbean music and African music.

Fusion - This type of music is a mixture of different styles. It is often performed by musicians who are trained in both classical music and jazz.

Nigerian Music - This style is also known as Nigerian hip hop. It is an exciting new style of music that mixes rap, reggae, and dancehall.

Bongo Drum - This is a percussion instrument that originated in West Africa. It is a large wooden drum covered with animal skin. It is played by striking it with a stick.

Mbira and Harmonica are both played using a fingerboard. Jazz, Zouk, and Fusion use a keyboard, while Nigerian music uses a guitar.

There are many different kinds of African music. The above list only includes a few of them. There are also many other types of African music that have been created by African musicians. Some of these include:

Ragga - This style of music originated in South Africa. It is a combination of African music and reggae.

Afrobeat - This style of music is a combination of African music, funk, and disco. It was popular in the 1970s and 1980s.

Kuduro - This is a fusion of reggae and hip hop. It is very popular in Brazil and Portugal.

Kizomba - This is a popular dance form that originated in Angola. It combines African and Brazilian music.

Choro - This style of music is similar to kizomba, but it is played on a piano instead of a guitar.

Samba - This style of music originated during the 19th century in Brazil. It combines samba and jazz.

Ghanian music - This type of music is similar to reggae, but it is played by African musicians.

Jingju - This style of music is based on the traditional music of China. It is performed by a soloist who plays a flute and a drum.

Folk music - This type of music originates in Europe. It is usually played by a group of musicians who sing and play instruments.

Calypso - This type of music originated in Trinidad and Tobago. It is a combination of calypso and reggae.

Kwela - This is a style of African music that originated in Mozambique. It is similar to mbaqanga, but it is faster.

Mbaqanga - This style of music originated on the coast of Mozambique. It is a fusion of mbaqanga and jazz.

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