Music from the Native Americans
Man playing the Native American flute
About: Traditional Music from the Native Americans is almost entirely monophonic, but there are notable exceptions. Native American music often includes drumming and/or the playing of rattles or other percussion instruments but little other instrumentation. Flutes and whistles made of wood, cane, or bone are also played, generally by individuals, but in former times also by large ensembles (as noted by Spanish conquistador de Soto). 1
Similarities to other music styles: Coming soon.
Influences: In addition to the traditional music of the Native American groups, there now exist pan-tribal and inter-tribal genres as well as distinct Indian subgenres of popular music including: rock, blues, hip hop, classical, film music and reggae, as well as unique popular styles like waila (“chicken scratch”).2
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From Encyclopedia Britannica:Native Americans trace the ultimate origin of their traditional music to the time of creation, when specific songs or musical repertories were given to the first people by the Creator and by spirit beings in the mythic past. Sacred narratives describe the origins of specific musical instruments, songs, dances, and ceremonies. Some ritual repertories received at the time of creation are considered complete, so that by definition human beings cannot compose new music for them. But many occasions are suitable for new music; this music may be received in a variety of ways. For example, shamans and other individuals may experience dreams or visions in which spirit beings teach them new songs, dances, and rituals. Many Indian communities learn new songs and repertories from their neighbours and have a long history of adopting musical practices from outsiders. Yet in every case, the music is a gift that comes from beyond the individual or community.
Some Native Americans consider songs to be property and have developed formal systems of musical ownership, inheritance, and performance rights. On the northwest coast of North America, the right to perform ancestral songs and dances is an inherited privilege, although the owner of a song can give it away. Peoples of northwestern Mexico believe that certain songs belong to the shaman who received them in a dream, but after his death those songs enter the community’s collective repertory. Other communities believe that specific pieces of music belong to an ensemble or to the entire community and should not be performed by outsiders without specific permission. Music has intrinsic value to individuals, ensembles, and communities, and performance rights are granted according to principles established by the group through long practice. 3
VIDEOS
Cherokee Morning Song – Native American
Native American Flute Music
Native American New Age Music
Source:
1.Native Americans in the United States, Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_Americans_in_the_United_States
2.Native American Music, Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_American_music
3.Native American music (2011). In Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Retrieved July 18, 2011, from Encyclopedia Britannica Online: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1350772/Native-American-music
