Cool Stuff: Music of the Americas

     Ever since this class has started, I find myself enjoying the different cultures and their music more and more. Throughout this week, it has become evident that although some cultures are somewhat similar they are different as well. Over the course of this week, I have reflected upon the music world as a whole. Something creative is always being added to the music culture and therefore continuing to make its mark upon history. With that being said, although it's nice to look to the future and what music has to offer, I also believe that it's delightful to look back and see how music has grown over many generations from various cultures. Through studying the Native American and South American cultures this week, it has been a joy to see the evolution of how they make their music and utilize their resources. 

1. One aspect that drew me further into the Native American cultures were the powwows and the music performed at those events. Powwows are events held in order for Native Americans to celebrate their heritage and culture. In our terms, we would compare powwows to county fairs. A big aspect of  the powwows is the music performed. The music at the powwows differ based on the cultural groups of the Native Americans. The melodies that are sung by the singers are monophonic with most of their lyrics containing vocables. The musical phrases consisted of a descending contour, starting on a higher pitch and working down to a lower pitch. One thing that I found interesting was that most Native American songs were based off a pentatonic scale while most western and classical music use a seven-note scale. The primary instrument used at powwows are drums. The drum is considered a membranophone, and its purpose is to serve as the foundation of the beat and keep it strong and consistent. The drum is also considered a communal instrument in Native American culture because multiple people can sit in a circle and play it at the same time. I like this video because it reflects how the drum is a communal instrument and how the music is very festive and makes way for celebration. powwow-music-definition-songs-history.htmlx

2. Another aspect of music reviewed throughout this week was South American music. One thing that I learned was that Latin American music is the product of mixture of three cultures. These three main cultures consisted of Indigenous, Spanish-European, and African. Music played an important role in ceremonial contexts. Music was used through song, dance, and playing instruments in order to insure a good harvest, guard against natural disasters, fertility of land and people, healing success, generating success in hunting and war, and to mark life's passages. Natural resources were used to construct instruments, and all used the human voice for singing and chanting. With Europeans adding their own flavor this added to the music of South America. Lyrics started to be used along with some vocables being used and harmony was even added to the mix. Larger ensembles started to form and there was homophonic texture within the music. 

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5b046a197e3c3a0c01a337c7/t/5b18446e562fa754ff7a2bca/1528317038528/History_of_Latin_Music.pdf 

3. The clothing within this unit has captured my eye because of how unique and colorful it is. Regalia is "a powerful mode of self-expression that blends historical and modern dress." This represents community traditions and personal tastes, and it is worn with pride and responsibility. The regalia is a collection of items that reflect their lives, interests, and family backgrounds. The clothing tends to change over time due to changes in that person's life and the fashion of time. Some form of headgear is always worn such as a war bonnet, porcupine head roach, headdress, ribbon, or band. If the dancers lose a part of their gear, there are protocols and ceremonies put in place to make sure that the spiritual balance of the dance is not disturbed. One thing that I found that was interesting was that the eagle feathers are desecrated if they are touched in the wrong way. If any feathers were to fall off during the dance, others dance around it to protect it until it can retrieved, clean, and returned. 

https://folklife.si.edu/online-exhibitions/american-indian-powwows/regalia/smithsonian