Native American Music

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Native American Music

• An Overview
• Benton Elementary School

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What is Native American Music?

• Native American Music music of Native Americans

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Background

• Native American songs, dances and stories were
  passed along through an oral tradition.
• This is the only music that originally comes from
  the American continents.
• Music was and still is an important part of the
  Native American Culture.

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Native American Regions

• Northwest Coast
• California
• Southwest
• Great Basin and Plateau
• Plains
• Eastern Woodlands
• Southeast

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Purpose

• Music was functional
• Religious Ceremonies
• Healing Ceremonies
• Work Songs
• Game Songs
• Songs for hunting/farming success
• Honoring songs
• Social songs (courting, dancing, etc.)

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Language

• Native American Music uses Vocables
• Wey yo hey, hey-ya yunga, gai yo wah
• Syllables with no apparent meaning.
• Vocables were considered to be a gift from the
  Creator when the song was realized.

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Common Instruments

• Drums (all shapes and sizes)
• Represents heartbeat of Mother Earth
• Hand drums, Water drums
• Community Drum

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Common Instruments

• Rattles
• Bells
• Flutes (not in every Native American culture)

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Characteristics

• Usually unison singing
• Call and Response Forms
• Simple Accompaniments
• Complex Vocal Rhythms
• Sometimes Voice without accompaniment
• Meter can be duple (equal) or triple (unequal)

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LINKS

• Native American Music
• American Indian Facts for Kids
• Drums and Songs
• Water Drum and Video