West Africa's Musical Impacts | Dr. Pascal Bokar Thiam | Talks at Google | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

West African standards of aesthetics greatly shaped the music of the Delta blues, jazz, and other American music genres.

Key Insights

• 👻 The development of American music, particularly jazz and the Delta blues, owes a great deal to West African cultural influence.
• 🖐️ The banjo, an instrument of West African origin, played a crucial role in shaping American music.
• 🏈 African rhythmic patterns and syncopation brought unique elements to American music and became the foundation for various genres.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: What is the significance of the banjo in American music?

The banjo, originating from West Africa, played a central role in the development of genres like blues and bluegrass. It became a symbol of African influence in American music.

Q: How did West African music influence American music?

West Africans brought their music, instruments, and cultural norms to the southern United States, shaping the development of genres like jazz, blues, and other American music forms.

Q: Why did African-Americans play music on beats two and four instead of one?

African-Americans retained the rhythmic patterns they were accustomed to from West Africa, which emphasized syncopation and swung rhythms. This gave American music its unique sound.

Q: Were there any other cultures that influenced American music apart from West Africa?

While West Africa was the major influence, European-Americans also contributed through their interactions with African-Americans and the adaptation of African musical elements in their own compositions.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• West Africans were brought to the southern part of the United States between 1515-1888, contributing to the development of American music.

• The banjo, originating from West Africa, became a key instrument in American music, leading to the creation of genres like blues and bluegrass.

• African rhythmic patterns and syncopation played a crucial role in the emergence of jazz and other American music forms.