Did Africans have Music Theory? - African Music History and Culture

[@sarahbrown2613]

I appreciate the theory behind the mbira because it makes it accessible to someone who hasn’t grown up with it! This video made me realize that’s why it’s so fun to play, it’s like learning a new music language. Appreciate the video!!!

[@chukwumaolisehemekaouwarre3236]

Nuk history kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGq2ZIVrfL2bg7c.

[@Aburner1109]

Thank you for spreading knowledge about these important pieces of music history! People don't realize how much traditional African music has made its way into pop music lol. Like, hip-hop is probably the most popular genre right now, and so many of its traditions and ideas have roots in pre-colonial African culture. Though, as you continue making videos, I would appreciate it if you cited sources so people could do deeper into the topics.

[@RhythmInAfrica]

Thanks a lot. It's not easy to site sources on these topics as the indigenous people never wrote these things down. My little knowledge on this comes from experience and travelling.

[@theactorjohnlarroquette]

One of the best channels on KZbin!

[@coffeecookies286]

Completely agree. Great source and I have a learnt a lot!

[@Jordan-w7u]

One of my fav music channels on youtube!

[@Ecco_lions]

I'm from africa and music is culture here😮

[@mytuh4]

Wonderful video. I love your channel!

[@regress-c3t]

So interesting - thank you.

[@coffeecookies286]

Thank you for this!

[@chukwumaolisehemekaouwarre3236]

Nuk history kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGq2ZIVrfL2bg7c.

[@gflow7501]

Thank you for this! I learn so much from you!

[@vincentpietersen460]

Thank you for this information. Subscribed👍🏽

[@artondekz]

Great video, do you have any recordings of the instruments u showed?

[@RhythmInAfrica]

The only recordings I have are here on youtube and there are many of them if you check on the channel.

[@davisginn1298]

Great knowledge being spread here, looking forward to learning more!!!

[@RhythmInAfrica]

Thanks. Please also follow me on Tiktok, that's where I upload the most stuff.

[@ibogggh2975]

This should not even be a question, only because of yt people do you ask it. Afrikans had it all, medicine, engineering and architecture, agriculture, art, all superior to yts before colonisation. [Edit]

[@Mike_E_DeShaman]

What happened to all the books .. seems there was no written language or knowledge of metallurgy

[@Mike_E_DeShaman]

When did they develope metallurgy to make that thing that looks like spoon handles

[@RhythmInAfrica]

I'm not sure but probably thousands of years ago since that's how old the instrument is.

[@CNB311]

Are all African music Rhythms based off of Voodoo rhythms? Or are their clean non-voodoo and non-sexual/devilish African music rhythms? I'd like to know so I can listen to some clean music thanks! I was thinking of some traditional Ethiopian Christian worship music.

[@RhythmInAfrica]

Voodoo is a derogatory term that came from the Vodun culture of West Africa. It is actually quiet offensive that you consider certain music "devilish" without having a deeper understanding of the cultures. All African rhythms are clean and none devilish to me. I'm afraid I cannot help you.

[@CNB311]

@@RhythmInAfrica Voodoo is probably just a transliteration into English of the word from Vodum right? Pardon, it's an innocent questions. I don't won't to make you stumble. Pray I don't understand why'd that offend you but then again I do. I try to interpret what is pure music based what the Revelation 15:2 and other references in the Bible. Harps, stringed instruments, trumpets,etc. I'm aware of the other instruments also represented in the bible. I've also heard pure music "defined as nothing that conjures up imagery and is composed of waves that come and go, they have no substance. And if it doesn't represent anything it's Spirit. Closest thing to God you can get. Not art that is visual.Kinda like the wind." Nothing fleshly or sensual - clean. Even the Waltz or polka could be very carnal or sexualy unclean. Most of the music today of the American popular music today is based off of these (west?) African rthymns, starting in New Orleans north up that Mississippi river. New Orleans is not known for its purity. I'm just looking for history and music. And I want to know more... about African music. Maybe...I'll go to Ethiopian music and see about it. Or see if there is another page about west African music. Thanks anyways

[@CNB311]

@@RhythmInAfrica I just want to say that I'm so thankful for the internet and an expert at this niche of music 🎶 🎵 I can ask questions. Thank you teacher and Mr. RhythmninAfrica, for replying to me even though you were offended. Thank you Jesus Christ and thank you God... for this opportunity to message an expert. :) Hallelujah 🙌!

[@levipicard7685]

​@@CNB311you should try listening to Unintelligible by Jasiah.

[@mytuh4]

Lol what in the world did I just read?

[@enesiotakambani7499]

How can I contact you

[@RhythmInAfrica]

[phone]

[@kennedymungai1]

Lit

[@andrewballance4161]

Yes. Quantum theory. Coursing through dimensions, zen dancers, Einstein light years behind, the sound of eternity: 2 mbira 2 hosho

[@caylya7869]

Word the phrase musical systems be more accurate?

[@RhythmInAfrica]

I don't understand. Please rephrase.

[@Mr.Nichan]

I always scoff out of habit whenever I hear people claim that stuff like that there is "absolutely no structure" and thus no way to put theory into something. It even reminds me of when people said (and sometimes still say) that there was no way to write many African and Native American languages, just because they have some phonological features like tone that European writing isn't normally designed for, because no standard form of the language has been artificially defined, and because, like in literally all languages, there are more linguistic and para-linguistic nuances in actual communication than almost anyone can be bothered to write down or then would even necessarily be meaningful or useful in writing.

[@RhythmInAfrica]

Well said. I guess it's up to us Africans to theorize our own stuff and share with the world.

[@Mr.Nichan]

@@RhythmInAfrica Really, it just takes anyone who's interested to actually try to analyze it (which is likely where most European music theory came from FYI, analysis after it was used, not invention before it was used, I mean). There would be nothing unusual about a non-African doing it (though an African doing it might be more desirable).

[@RhythmInAfrica]

@@Mr.Nichan Yes nothing unusual, it'd just take much more effort if one didn't grow up within the culture and music.

[@feelinghealingfrequences7179]

curious why the mali empire singing is so shrill and out of pitch!?! maybe it is micro tonal?

[@RhythmInAfrica]

It is microtonal and I do not know the theory to that, similar to some Indian or Arabic music. They do not fit into current western music theory

[@ericap8479]

Aftican Music Thereiometer is great 😂

[@samkarugu666]

yoo