Musical regions of Africa

North Africa

This includes all the countries north of the Sahara. The main type of music here is Islamic, which uses drums such as the doumbek and string instruments such as the ud. Voices often use ornaments [Ornament: An embellishment or decoration to the melody. ] and melismas (lots of notes to one syllable).

The stringed instrument in the following clip is the ud - a low-pitched plucked instrument that looks like a lute.

Tribal Africa

This includes the sub-Saharan countries of Africa such as Senegal, Ghana, Central African Republic, Conga. Music here uses the djembe drum and the kora, with much call-and-response [Call and Response: A style of music in which a phrase or melody sung by a vocalist or group of vocalists is responded to or echoed by another individual or group. ] singing. The music often has ostinato [Ostinato: A phrase or pattern that is repeated throughout a section of music. ] patterns, in the rhythm or the instrumental or vocal parts.

Southern Africa

Music in the southern countries of Africa, which include South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zaire, have been influenced by Western church music, introduced by missionaries in the 19th century. Choral singing is very important in this part of Africa.