web analytics

Arts and Music posts

Blog

Manuel Marino Music Composer

Follow on LinkedIn

Don’t Be Shy

Share Your Insights Below!

Your Voice Counts

3d ArtArtsAudioBassBusinessCultureDrumsFluteGamesGuitarHobbiesInternetMasteringMoviesMusicPaintingPhilosophyPianoTechnologyViolinVoiceWritings

Manuel is a passionate, driven, and techsavvy AV technician, artist and music composer with over ten years of experience, specializing in the captivating world of music and entertainment.

Manuel is an expert in creating soundtracks for short films, feature films and video games.

Manuel Music Blog is a diverse digital platform where creativity and intellect converge, covering a wide range of topics from 3D Art to Music, and Technology to Philosophy.

It’s a collaborative space that features the insights of both Manuel, contributors and participants, appealing to enthusiasts across various fields.

With dedicated sections for different arts, instruments, and cultural reflections, this blog serves as a rich resource for those seeking inspiration, knowledge, and a deep dive into the myriad aspects of artistic and technological exploration.

You can find our Privacy Policy here: https://manuelmarino.com/blog/privacy-policy/

You can find our Terms of Service here: https://manuelmarino.com/blog/terms-of-service/

African Djembe Drums
Photo by Frank Kehren

Nothing represents African music more than percussion instruments. They are a ubiquitous presence in every special occasion within an African community. In ancient times, African music served as a way to bring people together, with social gatherings, meetings, and ritual events often accompanied by the rhythmic sounds of percussion instruments. Here are some African percussion instruments that you are likely to encounter in any part of the community.

The Djembe Drum

The djembe drum is easily recognizable by its animal skin-covered head. It has a wider top half and a slimmer lower half, resembling a goblet. Traditionally, the body is made from a hollowed-out log to enhance its acoustic properties. The drumhead is tightened using ropes, although modern variations may use steel hoops, nylon core ropes, and rubbers for tuning. The djembe serves as the centerpiece of the percussion section, producing different tones and rhythms depending on its size and style. It is played by striking the drumhead with fingers or hands to create a range of tones.

Udu

The “udu” is a clay vessel that was originally used for drinking. This percussion instrument produces sound through an additional hole located on its body. The sound it produces is similar to that of a glass bottle. To create sound, one hand covers the top hole while the other hand manipulates the other hole. This allows for the production of various tones.

Slit Drums

Another popular African percussion instrument is the slit drum. This drum is typically made from hollowed-out or carved wood to create a resonating chamber. It can also be made from logs or bamboo. The drum is struck either by hand or mallets. Similar to the udu, the slit drum produces a variety of tones.

Double Bells

Double bells consist of two metallic bells forged together to resemble a horseshoe shape. These percussion instruments are played using mallets to produce two distinct sounds. In African percussion, double bells are often used to mark beats and maintain the rhythm for other percussion players.

In addition to these four instruments, Africans also utilize hand-shakers, wooden xylophones, and lamellophones (finger pianos) among other percussion instruments. These instruments further contribute to the rich and diverse musical landscape of African culture.

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x

Tips for Great iPhone Extras You Could Be Overlooking

Photo by hiro.qli There are numerous accessories available today that it's difficult to keep up with all the options f...Read More