O-level revision

[Globaltruth]

I've been giving this a wee bit of thought, Global, you will be pleased to hear. I was thinking that the way you might cover African music might be through the drum - the symbolic role, the sacred role, the communication role. I was interested in this fairly straightforward article which is an artistic description of the development of the drum.

https://www.contemporary-african-art.com/african-drums.html

Of course, these are the folk who sent me there in the first place. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JNJrir_Hf0 *

* Do not attempt this at home without completing an appropriate H&S assessment form which you can get in the foyer!

Yep, that's good JC - they do actually discuss the different types of drums so shouldn't be too difficult to hook that in. thanks.

[Globaltruth]

Just by way of closure, and no apologies for proud grand fatherly boasting.... my grandaughter got A** in music - not a single question on music from other cultures though.

[oddoneout]

Just by way of closure, and no apologies for proud grand fatherly boasting.... my grandaughter got A** in music - not a single question on music from other cultures though.

Well done to your GD. there may not have been the questions on other cultures but on the plus side you got to expand your knowledge while helping her.
Is A** a Grade 9 under the new system?

[Bella Kemp]

I like the idea that diversity in music is celebrated, but the idea that there might be such a thing as 'African' music is appallingly racist. I also tend to wonder if, by being too diverse at this early stage of learning, students may become Jacks of all trades but masters of none.

[Joseph K]

but the idea that there might be such a thing as 'African' music is appallingly racist.

Really? Why?

[Bryn]

Really? Why?

Well, for one thing, there are many different musical traditions in the various parts of that vast continent, with much greater variety than, say, European music, I think you will find.

[Joseph K]

Well, for one thing, there are many different musical traditions in the various parts of that vast continent, with much greater variety than, say, European music, I think you will find.

I'm aware of that. I thought perhaps it's much too vague - and stupid to lump all the musics together, though I'm not sure if it's racist in and of itself.

See, e.g. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Africa

[Bella Kemp]

I'm aware of that. I thought perhaps it's much too vague - and stupid to lump all the musics together, though I'm not sure if it's racist in and of itself.

See, e.g. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Africa

It's a tricky area but I think it comes under the banner of 'they're all the same.' We readily distinguish between German culture and French culture etc etc. but when it comes to Africa we make no such distinctions - apart from, perhaps, a vague nod towards Mali.

[Joseph K]

It's a tricky area but I think it comes under the banner of 'they're all the same.' We readily distinguish between German culture and French culture etc etc. but when it comes to Africa we make no such distinctions - apart from, perhaps, a vague nod towards Mali.

Point taken.

However, there might be some contexts in which it might be suitable to refer to someone or something as coming from a particular continent, don't you think? I mean there is the African Music Journal as well - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Music_(journal)

[johncorrigan]

Just by way of closure, and no apologies for proud grand fatherly boasting.... my grandaughter got A** in music - not a single question on music from other cultures though.

Please pass on my congrats to your granddaughter, Global. A cracking result. Hope her teachers learned something new in the process.

[Globaltruth]

Please pass on my congrats to your granddaughter, Global. A cracking result. Hope her teachers learned something new in the process.

Thanks JC. I certainly learnt a lot along the way....now we're onto A-levels. <gulp>