GENRE · KNOWLEDGE GUIDE
West African Traditional Music
- Genre family
- Traditional / Regional Music
- Starting recordings
- 13
ORIGIN · SOUND · PEOPLE
Meet West African Traditional Music
West African traditional music includes many oral, praise, historical, dance and ritual lineages.
Following specific traditions such as Mande jeli practice and the kora avoids reducing West African music to one rhythmic stereotype.
Begin with Toumani Diabaté.
GENRE FAMILY
Its place in the genre family
Parent genreTraditional / Regional Music
Current genreWest African Traditional Music
LISTENING GUIDE
What to listen for
01
Separate bass, repeating accompaniment and ornament.
02
Hear how oral narrative interacts with instrumental phrases.
03
Compare traditional ensembles with contemporary collaborations.
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CURRENT BROWSING SCOPE
Africa · West African Traditional Music
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ESSENTIAL LISTENING
10 recordingsStart with these recordings
01Kaira1988 · West African Traditional MusicOpen in new tab 02Alla L'Aa Ke1988 · West African Traditional MusicOpen in new tab 03Konkoba1988 · West African Traditional MusicOpen in new tab 04Tubaka1988 · West African Traditional MusicOpen in new tab 05Jarabi1988 · West African Traditional MusicOpen in new tab 06Africa1988 · West African Traditional MusicOpen in new tab 07Jarabi1988 · West African Traditional MusicOpen in new tab 08Mani Mani Kuru1988 · West African Traditional MusicOpen in new tab 09Vente Pa Madrid1988 · West African Traditional MusicOpen in new tab 10A Mi Tia Marina1988 · West African Traditional MusicOpen in new tab
KEY ARTISTS
Key artists
ESSENTIAL ALBUMS
Continue with these albums
LOCAL GRAPH
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