European Musical History
The Roman Catholic church used this specific style of music as a powerful tool for political and cultural unification, as well as to standardize church literature.
Gregorian Chants
In traditional Native American culture, a musician who plays this instrument is considered a rare individual who performs in rare circumstances, such as playing love songs.
African music relies heavily on these specific organized patterns of multiple, complex rhythms playing all at the same time
Polyrythim
This term simply means "tone color" or the interpreted texture of pitch and loudness.
Drums fall into this specific musical category because they are traditionally made with an animal skin.
Membranephones
Responding to complaints that thick polyphony obscured lyrics, this historical Catholic council mandated that church music be written more intelligently and clearly.
Council Of Trent
Rather than using a rigorous educational school system, Native American music was historically passed down from generation to generation this way
These highly respected West African musicians travel from village to village to tell stories, play music, and share the news.
Griots
This is a common vocal form where an individual singer alternates phrases with a chorus.
Call & Response
his category of instruments includes rhythmic "sound objects" like shakers and water containers that do not have specific pitches.
Idiophones
This German Benedictine Abbess and visionary from the medieval period is historically recognized as one of the best-known composers of sacred monophony and chant.
Hildegard de Bingen
Instead of claiming they "wrote" a song, Native American musicians are often called this because they believe the music comes to them in their subconscious sleep.
Dream Catchers
When African slaves were banned from having traditional drums, they invented this instrument by drilling a hole in a wooden box and sitting on it to play.
Cajon
Found in everything from classical to rock music, this is a repeated rhythmic pattern that supports the main melody
Ostinato
In complex African drumming, a repeating pattern is often played on this metal instrument to emphasize the one beat and keep players from getting lost.
Time Bell
At age 27, composer Igor Stravinsky debuted this primeval ballet, which caused a literal riot in the theater because it was considered a massive affront to traditional ballet.
What is The Rite of Spring?
This is the oldest form of belief, found in both Native American and traditional African cultures, which teaches that the world is alive with spirits in nature.
Animism
This African instrument, made of two simple wooden dowels, acts as the steady "timekeeper" or guide in complex rhythmic music.
Clave
his term describes music that has only one single melody.
Monophonic
This term describes the collaborative, improvisational style of African village music where one person starts a rhythm and others progressively join in.
Open Form
This famous Baroque composer had 20 children, played the keyboard like a virtuoso, and wrote complex counterpoint music for the Lutheran church.
J.S Bach
These non-translatable words are heavily used in Native American ceremonial songs
Vocables
The music and dancing of the Zulu people helped South Africa eventually get rid of this institutionalized system of segregation.
Apartheid
The way to polyrithms
Unlike Native American drums, African drum ensembles do this to their instruments so they harmonize and "make the drums sing" rather than canceling each other out.