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African drumming essay The music of the native peoples of Africa. Sub-Saharan African music has as its distinguishing feature a rhythmic complexity common to no other region. Polyrhythmic counterpoint, wherein two or more locally independent attack patterns are superimposed, is realized by handclaps, xylophones, rattles, and a variety of tuned and non tuned drums. The African polyrhythm is the noticeable steadiness of the resultant rhythmic pattern. Pitch polyphony exists in the form of parallel intervals overlapping solo-choral response, and occasional simultaneous independent melodies. In addition to voice, many wind and string instruments perform melodic functions. Common are bamboo flutes, ivory trumpets, and the one-string ground bow During royal times, European instruments such as saxophones, trumpets, and guitars were adopted by many African musicians; their sounds were integrated into the traditional patterns. Rhythm is the most important feature of African music, and because of the slave trade this has influenced other...

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