On Ethnomusicology - Research Paper Example

?Introduction Understanding the differences between cultures is reliant on the capabilities of how different expressions are used. This not only occurs through the content and the style that is used. The distinct sounds of various cultures also create a different interpretation of the music played as well as how this links to the attributes of the artist. When looking at music from the group, Putomayo Presents and of Keita from Mali, it can be heard that there are several links between the two cultures as well as contrasts that make each expression unique. The concepts that are used with various artists hold to the roots of the culture while forming the context of music around the social needs of the time. The CDs of La Difference by Salif Keita of Africa and Turkish Groove by Putumayo Presents show the distinct differences and similarities with musical styles and interpretations that are based on the region. CD Descriptions The first CD, La Difference, by Salif Kieta was released in 2010 as a representation of African music. The main artist is Salif Kieta, who works as a solo musician. Joe Henry is also featured with the remix of Falon and Papa, specifically because of the surrounding context used with the album. These are combined with some of the classics of older albums of Kieta, such as Seydou and Seydou Bathily. These were recorded in Bamako when Kieta had a band in the Ambassadors du Motel. All of the music on the CD is based on the intent of Kieta to distribute the profits to a charity in Africa that is used to help albinos, specifically because of Kieta also being an albino. The mixture used combines pop beats of the West, as well as piano, guitar and brass horns with the traditional Malian instruments. The record number is B002SBV0QW and is published from Emarcy (Keita, 1). The second CD used is Turkish Groove by Putomayo Presents. This album was released in 2005 from the label A&R and with the record label number B000E6ESP8. The CD consists of eleven songs, including Benedeniz, Mustafa Sandal and Nilgul. The group is one that began with Jacob Edgar and four native Turkish musicians. Edgar began to compose the music when he traveled to Istanbul and began to become a part of the Turkish history and music. The main approach was one which blended the ancient world of Turkish music with the modern pop scene that is currently striking Turkey. The CD is one that fuses the Turkish pop scene into a sense of both cultural traditions and modern techniques to create a contemporary style to the rich culture of history. The instrumentation which is used to complete this style includes mandolin, large percussion sections, violins, guitar and a pop beat for the background sound (Putomayo Presents 2011). Musical Style The musical style of both CDs follows the traditional format of the origins of the groups while carrying influences by the rock and Western style of music. The style is then combined with specific sounds that are able to show the content attributed to each area. The attempt made by both artist groups working toward a fusion sound. For instance, in the song, La Difference, there is a fusion of the African and Western instruments. Electrical guitar is used throughout the piece, as well as a background of piano. There is also a pop-rock beat that is used as a secondary part of the rhythm to create stronger movement. The song also uses the phrase “Love is Serabande” in the chorus. This combines the culture of English, French and African cultures, all which are known in the region that Keita has recorded. All of the CD songs follow this same influence, similar to the group of The Middle East. The musical style of Turkish Groove shows the same contemporary influences. The violin serenades and background, mandolin which is used and the strong percussion line are all a part of the Turkish traditional music. This is the strongest part of the songs that are played. This is combined with the Turkish singing that is attributed to singing in the Turkish language. However, there is a back beat that is based on the pop rock style of the Western music, as well as a guitar that is used to drive the rhythm in a 4/4 beat. The overall piece also uses the pop style with the singer. The tonality of songs such as Bendeniz doesn’t move through a large set of tonality or with a more traditional sound. Instead, the Western style of singing pop, with a more monotone sound that is rhythmically based, is what drives forward the song. This is used to create a groove sound that is popular in the Western style. Musical Instruments The distinction in styles between both CDs is combined with the instruments that create a difference between both albums. The musical instruments of Keita have moved into an acoustical sound. It has been noted that Keita used electrical synthesizers and keyboards in the 1980s with his releases of similar songs. However, this particular album changed the instruments into all acoustic feels. There is electrical guitar and Hammond B-3 organ used; however, these are specifically used for coloring the rhythms and remaining in the background. The musical instruments which remain dominant through the songs include horns, the oud, or Arabic lute and upright bass. The African sounding instruments used throughout the works include balafons, djembes and koras. Keita uses a strong rhythmic section with the drums that provide polyphonic rhythms both with Western styles and with the natural rhythms that come from Mali. It is the rhythms as well as the natural harmonies that Keita uses throughout his songs that create a distinct sound that is African in nature (Keita, 1). The musical instruments used with the recording of Putomayo Presents have a contrast with the traditional instruments of Turkey. The first instrument found in all songs is the Kanun, a classical instrument of Turkey that has several strings and a higher sound. This was often used in the music that had a more complex structure and rhythm; however, in this CD, it is used with the rhythmic style and influences. A guitar is also used; however, this is played in the classical style with a flamenco basis, similar to the influences in Turkey that have come from areas such as Spain. Gypsy brass and strings are also used, all which are played with a group playing in unison and which stay with the folk influences of Turkey. The percussion includes the doumbek, darbuka and doyre, all which are used with traditional means (Putomayo Presents, 1). Music Theories and Styles When looking at the different styles associated with the groups, it can be seen that distinct theories and styles are used which are associated with the bands. An example analysis with Keita is with the main song of his album, La Difference. The electrical and acoustic guitar drives the song forward; however, this is through plucked chords that are rhythmic in nature. This creates an African type of sound that is also well – known with Keita’s style. The melody that Keita uses during each verse is straight and combines with the acoustic sound of guitars like a contemporary call and repeat option for the melody. The other drums and percussion are used to compliment the acoustic plucking of the guitar and to change the context of the piece. This changes during the chorus when Keita moves to a higher tone with the voice. The second part of the chorus is followed by a monophonic sound of a chorus of children which states “Love is Serabande.” The chorus singing and the higher melody are also distinct from cultural influences of the area. The chorus and verse then repeat for the rock form of verse – chorus – verse – chorus – verse. This creates the fusion with Western music that Keita is popular for. The Turkish Groove CD has the same association with fusion with the Turkish prominence associated with the songs. An example is with “Kirimi Biber.” The song begins with the three types of drums playing simultaneously to set the rhythm and pace of the music. This is one that is commonly used within the Turkish, classical style. This is followed by the acoustic guitar, which sets the melody. A synthesizer carries a rhythm to fuse in the contemporary style that would be heard in Western music. However, this fuses into the string section and brass section that take over the rhythm and create a melody that is repetitive to the song and help with the main rhythmic structure of the song. The rhythmic structure introduced at the beginning remains consistent throughout the piece and moves in and out of the song with the melody singing over. The melody of the voice stays with the rhythmic structure as well, a common attribute with the Turkish music. The pop fusion is based on the sound of the voice as well as the pop beat which is underneath the main rhythm section. The fusion is also heard in breaks in the song when the rhythm becomes secondary and the voice moves into a higher range. This uses a classical style of singing; however, the voice then goes back to the contemporary pop style (Turkish Groove, 1). Context and Cultural Background The context and cultural background of Keita is one that has recently changed because of the influence and expectation with his latest CD. In the 1980s, Keita was a pioneer of the sound of Afro – pop. This combined the Western pop rock style with the Mali traditional sounds for a distinguished difference. The electrical instruments and the pop rock were able to combine with this to create a specific sound. However, Keita changed the recent album back to the roots that are a part of Mali with acoustic sounds, driving rhythms and with the African chorus that is popular to Africa. It is known that Keita did this specifically because of the political and cultural context of the time. Keita is a known albino, meaning he comes from a black family but has white skin. The myth of albinos is that they are cursed and will receive bad luck for their entire life. Keita developed this CD with the purpose of changing this mentality and funding the albino organizations that are trying to stop the group from being outcast in society. By making the CD sound more traditional, there is an understanding that albinos are also a part of Mali and that being outcast is one that is only dividing a nation that has the same cultural roots. The different songs, such as La Difference, further create this understanding by creating an understanding of community, love and awareness of compassion for every human being (Hurst, 2). The personal context that Keita creates is one that combines with the cultural aspects that are a part of Africa. Beyond the context that is Malian with music theories are also cultural understandings that are a part of the broader tensions of Mali. The background of Keita is one which has given him “The Golden Voice of Africa.” He is also a direct descendent of Sundiata Keita, which is a warrior of Mali and which comes from descendents who founded the Malian empire. By 1977, Keita was awarded with the “National Order of Guinea” by the President Toure, specifically which began to lead him back to the myth of Mali in his music. However, this was followed by political unrest which caused Keita to leave and move into Paris. The music which Keita has recently created is known to combine sounds of France, Mali, West Africa and the West. The context that is combined with this is based on the political unrest and the personal association that Keita has toward the politics and leadership that has led the culture. Adding in songs such as Papa and the renditions of music that were based on the Ambassador band show this strong tie with the culture and political tensions that Keita is aware of both personally and from a cultural standpoint (African Music Encyclopedia, 52). The music of Putomayo Presents is one that has been refined with the collaboration between the several musicians, all which add a different sound to create the groove effect. Jacob Edgar is the main influence, specifically because of the modern understanding of the Western style that he carries with groove music. However, his frequent travels to Turkey provided an interest in the understanding of the classical and traditional music. The background of both styles has allowed for an emersion of the music into different styles. Tarkan follows in this style as one of the singers. While coming from the contemporary style of Turkey, Tarkan also has an influence in international and Western music and now is working his way into the Western scene. The desire to move into the different style of music has changed the influences of the sound with this music. Sertab, Mustafa Sandal, Nilgul and Tugba Ekinici are also well – known throughout the country of Turkey as contemporary singers that hold to the Turkish routes with the music while looking at pushing the cultural affiliations from the time (Putomayo Presents, 1). The content of the pieces shows the same contemporary and traditional fusion that drives forward the piece. The Western influences of all of the musicians as well as the deep understanding of the classical music of Turkey provide for a colorful collaboration throughout the music. It is the fusion of each of the individuals with their experience as musicians that provides the ability to work into the Turkish Pop while having the dominant presence of Turkish sounds and songs. By creating this fusion, there is a global type of music that becomes the dominant component and allows the piece to be based on the Turkish culture that is more contemporary and pushes the music into one further step. The background of artists that are now reaching an international scene is combined with this to create a set of Western influences not only based on the basic pop movements, but also to fuse the Spanish, French and other Western counterparts in specific songs (AMG, 2005). Comparison of Albums When looking at both albums, it can be seen that the musical instruments and theories differ. There are distinct sounds with the Turkish and Western fusion, specifically with the approach to harmony, rhythm and the guitars that are used. When looking at Keita’s music, there is a difference with the types of instrumentation used, which he focuses on being acoustic and from Mali and West Africa. He combines this with his fusion of French music that is a part of his current lifestyle. While both albums fuse ideas from across the globe, the distinguished sounds are designed by the cultural influences of the artists and the understanding of music from this viewpoint. The fusion that is involved in both is a mixture of rock and pop; however, these are also distinguished by the type of pop and rock influences. This changes the beats of the music and also alters the way in which the electrical instruments and other music fuse together. The musical instrumentation that is used by both may have cultural applications that differ. However, both artist groups are known for creating a sense of fusion in the music. This was the first approach which Keita took and which is still heard in his music with electrical guitar and the French influences of popular music. Putomayo Presents also uses the fusion with the drumming that is used as well as the rhythmic drive that is Turkish oriented while pushing into the European influences of groove and pop rock. By fusing these together, both artists are creating a mainstream sound which can be heard internationally and which allows a different sound to emerge which combines culture and distinct features of fusion sounds. The differences between both albums are based on the instrumentation and approach to singing. However, both artists have a similar approach to the controversies of the time and the solutions needed to change this. Both Keita and Putomayo Presents are writing about political and cultural upheavals that are occurring at an international basis and which begin from home countries. This is combined with the story telling of the songs by Putomayo as well as the desire to find answers, which is sung by Keita. With these influences in music, it can be seen that the content and overall understanding of problems in the culture of today is not altered by boundaries. Instead, the telling of stories, sense of finding human motivations and personal and cultural understanding remains distinct by the sound of the world that is affecting everyone globally. Conclusion The approaches that are now being taken with music combine the concept of fusion with a cultural context. The individual experiences, political and cultural approaches all make a difference in how artists are expressing their music. However, this is combined with a fusion of sounds that are influencing the globe and changing the approach many have to music. More important, there is the ability to have universal themes that artists are interested in, all which are displayed with the individual and political tensions that the artists are aware of and which creates the main similarities used in the music. When looking at the artists of Keita and Putomayo Presents, it can be seen that cultural influences drive forward the music. However, the themes of ending war, re-looking boundaries and of finding peace remain the same for both groups. Works Cited African Music Encyclopedia. Salif Keita. African Music Encyclopedia: 1998. AMG. Putumayo Presents: Turkish Groove. AMG Review. 2005. Retrieved from: www.billboard.com. Hurst, Roy. ‘Salif Keita Returns to Mali’s Traditional Sounds.” NPR Music, 2010. Keita, Salif. La Difference. Emarcy Records, 2010. Putomayo Presents. Turkish Groove. 2005. 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