2.2 Traditional African instruments and ensemble types
6 min read•july 30, 2024
African music is all about rhythm and community. Traditional instruments like drums, xylophones, and harps create complex polyrhythms that get everyone moving. These instruments are grouped into categories based on how they make sound.
African ensembles blend different instrument types to create rich, layered music. Drum groups, string bands, and mixed ensembles all have unique sounds. The interplay between instruments through call-and-response and interlocking parts is key to African musical traditions.
African Instrument Categories
Hornbostel-Sachs System of Instrument Classification
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The four main categories of African instruments are idiophones, membranophones, chordophones, and aerophones
These categories are based on the Hornbostel-Sachs system, a widely used method for classifying musical instruments according to their sound-producing mechanisms
Idiophones
Idiophones produce sound through the vibration of the instrument itself, without the use of strings, membranes, or air columns
Key African idiophones include:
/kalimba (thumb piano)
Balafon (xylophone)
Various rattles and bells (shakers, gankogui)
Membranophones
Membranophones generate sound via a vibrating stretched membrane, typically made of animal skin or synthetic materials
Important African membranophones include a wide variety of drums such as:
(goblet-shaped hand drum)
(hourglass-shaped pressure drum)
(a drum partially filled with water to alter its pitch)
Chordophones
Chordophones create sound through the vibration of strings, which are typically plucked, strummed, or bowed
Notable African chordophones include:
(21-string bridge-harp)
(lute)
Musical bow (a single-string instrument played with the mouth as a resonator)
Aerophones
Aerophones produce sound by vibrating columns of air, either by blowing across an opening or through a reed
Significant African aerophones include:
(endere, orutu, njuara)
(kakaki, waza)
(ivory trumpet, gourd trumpet)
Construction and Playing Techniques of African Instruments
Mbira/Kalimba
The mbira/kalimba consists of metal tines attached to a wooden soundboard
It is played by holding the instrument and plucking the tines with the thumbs
The mbira often plays the core cyclical patterns in Shona music from Zimbabwe
Variations in the number and arrangement of tines create different types of mbiras (nyunga nyunga, karimba)
Kora
The kora is a 21-string bridge-harp built from a large calabash cut in half and covered with cow skin to make a resonator
The strings, made of fishing line or nylon, are plucked with the index finger and thumb of both hands
It is a solo and ensemble instrument in West African Mande music
Kora players often use complex fingerpicking patterns and improvisation to create intricate melodies
Djembe
The djembe is a goblet-shaped drum carved from a single piece of African hardwood with a goat skin head
It is played with bare hands and produces a wide range of tones depending on the striking technique (bass, tone, slap)
As a key part of West African drum ensembles, the djembe is used to maintain tempo and engage in call-and-response conversations
Djembe solos often feature rapid, virtuosic patterns that showcase the drummer's skill and creativity
Balafon
The balafon is a type of wooden xylophone with gourd resonators of various sizes underneath the keys
The keys, made of rosewood or other hardwoods, are struck with mallets to produce different pitches
It often plays melodic patterns in West African music, especially that of the Mandinka people
Balafon players may use two or four mallets to create complex, interlocking rhythms and melodies
Musical Bows
Musical bows are among the oldest African instruments, with a history dating back thousands of years
They consist of a single string, made of plant fiber or metal, tied to a flexible wooden bow
The string is struck with a thin stick while using the mouth as a resonator to amplify certain harmonics
Musical bows are frequently used for solo performances, often accompanying or poetry recitation
African Musical Ensembles
Drum Ensembles
Drum ensembles consisting of membranophones of various sizes and timbres are common throughout West Africa
For example, the Mandinka people use an ensemble featuring the djembe, dundun, sangban, and kenkeni
Each drum plays a specific role within the ensemble, creating a complex polyrhythmic texture
Drum ensembles often accompany dance, storytelling, and religious ceremonies
Percussion Ensembles
Percussion ensembles dominated by idiophones are found in many regions of Africa
Shona mbira ensembles from Zimbabwe consist of multiple mbiras, shakers (hosho), and sometimes drums
The interlocking patterns played by each instrument create a dense, cyclical structure
Percussion ensembles may also feature xylophones (balafon, gyil), bells (gankogui), and rattles (shekere)
String Ensembles
String ensembles centered around chordophones are less common but still significant in African music
The Mande people of West Africa have kora-based ensembles that may also include the ngoni lute and balafon
Kora ensembles often feature complex, improvisatory melodies and intricate fingerpicking patterns
String ensembles may also include the goje fiddle, the seperewa harp-lute, and various musical bows
Wind Ensembles
Wind ensembles featuring aerophones are relatively rare in traditional African music
However, royal courts in Nigeria and Ghana have ceremonial ensembles with ivory trumpets like the kakaki
These ensembles are typically associated with royalty, power, and prestige
Wind ensembles may also include flutes (endere, orutu), horns (waza), and reed instruments (algaita)
Mixed Ensembles
Mixed ensembles combining instruments from different categories are increasingly popular in contemporary African music
An example is the Senegalese sabar ensemble which includes the sabar drum, tama talking drum, and tungune metal idiophone
Mixed ensembles allow for greater variety in timbre, melody, and rhythm
They may also incorporate Western instruments such as the guitar, keyboard, and saxophone
Instrument Interplay in African Ensembles
Call-and-Response
Call-and-response patterns between instruments are a key feature of African ensemble music
In a West African , the lead djembe plays improvised solos that "call" the other drums to respond with specific rhythms
This musical conversation creates a dynamic, interactive performance
Call-and-response can also occur between instrumental parts and vocals, or between two different ensembles
Interlocking Parts
Interlocking parts played by different instruments create intricate polyrhythmic textures
In a Shona mbira ensemble, each mbira plays a unique rhythmic pattern that interlocks with the others to form a complex cyclical structure
These interlocking patterns often feature cross-rhythms, syncopation, and hemiola (2 against 3)
Interlocking parts require precise timing and coordination between musicians
Instrumental Roles
Instruments often fulfill specific roles within the ensemble, contributing to the overall structure and balance
The timeline pattern played by an idiophone like the gankogui bell is the rhythmic foundation of West African drum ensembles
It serves as a point of reference for the other instruments, helping to maintain the tempo and groove
Other roles include lead instruments (djembe, kora), supporting instruments (dundun, ngoni), and percussion (shakers, rattles)
Timbral Complementation
Instrumental timbres are carefully chosen to complement each other, creating a rich and varied soundscape
In a kora-based ensemble, the resonant tones of the kora blend with the drier sound of the balafon and the percussive attack of the ngoni lute
This timbral diversity adds depth and interest to the music
Musicians may also use extended techniques (harmonics, muting, buzzing) to further expand the timbral palette
Improvisation
Improvisation by lead instruments adds variety and excitement to African ensemble music
In a sabar ensemble, the lead sabar drummer engages in virtuosic solos that showcase their technical skill and creativity while the other instruments maintain the underlying groove
Improvisation allows musicians to express their individual style and respond to the energy of the performance
Improvised solos often incorporate quotes from other songs, humorous references, and playful interactions with the audience