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Caribbean Music and the Influence It Has on the Caribbean Music

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Caribbean Music and the Influence It Has on the Caribbean Music
African music and history of African music in the Caribbean;
Identify and list some of the common African influences/features found in Caribbean folk and popular music.

African music: music of the music of the Africa diaspora was refined and developed during the period of slavery. Slaves did not have easy access to instruments, so vocal work to on new significance. Through chants and work songs people of African descent preserved elements of their African heritage while inventing new genres of music. The culmination of this great sublimation of musical energy into vocal work can be seen in genres as disparate as Gospel music and Hip hop. The music of African diaspora makes frequent use of ostinato, a motif or phrase which is persistently repeated at the same pitch. The repeating idea maybe rhythmic pattern, part of the tune, or a complete melody. (wikipedia, 2013) The History of African music in the Caribbean : without a doubt the influence of black African music has spread worldwide and has a profound effect on music virtually everywhere. Caribbean music especially started to be influenced by the African heritage when slave trade was originally brought to the Caribbean and the Americas. There are different genres of music but the steel bands, calypso, and reggae. Listening to Caribbean music can definitely have a very positive affect on your mood. It will give you a real “good feeling” and help highlight your day. For the most part the music stemming from the Caribbean is happy, vibrant and “fun like.” The unique sound of steel drums (or pans) takes your mind straight to the Caribbean. Instantly you think of palm trees, spectacular long sandy beaches, hot sunshine days, long cool drinks and everything at your disposal to make your life easier and more tranquil. Steel pans (drums) have roots in Africa but its home is definitely in Trinidad. Steel pans evolved in the 1930’s replacing the original banned tamboo bamboo. A bamboo was originally cut to

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