Complete 1 page APA formatted essay: Reaction Paper to Knight and Bilby: African Music.According to the discipline of music, music can either be vocal or instrumental. However, these two aspects are u

Complete 1 page APA formatted essay: Reaction Paper to Knight and Bilby: African Music.

According to the discipline of music, music can either be vocal or instrumental. However, these two aspects are usually combined to improve the quality of songs. There are several music instruments that are used to enhance music in Africa. Some of these instruments include drums, rattles, iron bells and other wooden music instruments (Bilby and Knight 256). In addition, there are several songs that are performed by the African community. This paper will discuss several topics that are closely related to African music and performance.

As stated above, group music is performed by a group for that group. The performance of group music involves a wide range of participation ranging from virtuoso drumming and singing to repeating a vocal refrain or even handclapping. Therefore, if a listener is involved in any of these activities, then, he or she is considered as part of the performance of the group. A performance can be considered as listener’s music if the music has been performed for a perceptible audience who is listening to the music (Bilby and Knight 254).

Africans play several musical instruments. These musical instruments provide a comprehensive variety in the music performed in Africa. According to various researchers, the drum is the most common musical instrument. The drum is extremely crucial in most African cultures. The xylophone is also a common musical instrument in Mali where it is known as Bala. The Bala uses gourd resonators under the keys. The gourds are locally available in Mali. Stringed instruments are also common in West Africa and South Africa. Further analysis also reveals that there are reed instruments which are used in Africa. These instruments form an integral part in the rhythm of Africa and their relation to the environment (Bilby and Knight 256).

According to the context, there are few instrumental genres in Africa. Among these genres, speech and music are closely interrelated. The most exemplary illustration is the verbal