August 4, 2014

The Different Origins Of Ghana Music

By Imelda Reid


When it comes to music, there are several genres. This could not be more true when it comes to Ghana music. Ghanian melodies can be very diverse depending on what part of the country an individual may be in at the time.

Musical taste vary among the people of the country. It is for this reason that all genres of music are generally available for purchase at stores or through a website. Sahelian features a combination of string instruments and melodies and is popular in all areas. Whether it is the kologo lute, gongey fiddle, the many wind instruments or the vocals accompanying same, it is a style that is as appropriate for dance as meditation.

Set to a minor chromatic or pentatonic scale, notes flows almost effortlessly with these combination of instruments and voice. Praise singing is also a popular form in the area. Griot, somewhat like mild chanting or story telling is also quite popular. Most often, regardless of style, vocals are accompanied by some type of drums, bells or stringed instrument.

Set to a chromatic and pentatonic scale, melody plays a major role in different arrangements. Vocal styles are also an important element. One reason why the praise singing and griot traditions remain alive and well in the region.

Social functions like funerals, graduations, weddings and the like are often met with coastal style music. This style requires complex patterns be played on a variety of percussion instruments. These instruments often include bells, cowbells, drums, gourds, sticks and other percussion based instruments.

Coastal tunes can also be associated with many traditional religions. One exception to this rule is material from the Seperewa harp-lute whose origins are in the stringed harps of the North and West. The most well known drums of southern Ghanian drum traditions is that of the adowa and kete drum ensembles with bells.

In 1957, Ghana won her independence. Since that time, it has developed quite a musical identity. For example, the 20th century saw the onset of pop and dance pop. Pop-dance has continued in popularity over the years even with the introduction of Highlife and Hiplife.

Highlife, or High-life is a combination of soukous, jazz, rock, ska and swing. Both of which are more dance focused than styles which were popular in the earlier days of the country. Hip-Life and Highlife can be thought of as similar to the dance, rock and jazz genres alive and well in other parts of the world.

During the depression and years following, the clubs stayed fairly active and hopping. The popular years for electric guitar and dance-pop were mostly in the 70s. At least that is the case until German-Highlife took over with Burger-Highlife and other forms which are still popular. The Burger-Highlife, Dance Pop and German-Highlife are often some of the most influential and listened to music in and outside Ghana.




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