Ultimate Guide to Playing African Music on GuitarUltimate Guide to Playing African Music on Guitar
Did you know that African music is considered one of the unique sounds in the world? Do you know that it’s not that hard to learn how to play african music on guitar? The sound has been passed down through generations, adding new instruments, rhythms, and melodies to create a unique sound. Playing African music on guitar might seem off the beaten path. It’s not as common to hear an acoustic guitar in a traditional African setting, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do it! We want to explore what it takes to play African music on guitar with this blog post!
Understanding the African Music
The term “African music” can be a little misleading. It doesn’t just refer to the traditional music of Africa but also includes music from African diasporas around the world. It means that there is a lot of diversity in the sounds and styles that fall under this category. That being said, there are some common elements in African music. When it comes to tonal sequences, or scales/modes, many parts of Africa have their indigenous languages that describe melodies. Because of this, music from Africa will usually have a lot more ways and scales than Western music does!
How to Play the Guitar in an African Style
Now that we know a bit of African music let’s look at how to play the guitar in an African style. You’ll need to start your learning with some primary rhythms. Much African music is based on percussion, so learning some of those rhythms will help you get started. Once you have the rhythms down, start by adding some simple melodies. You can use chords to accompany these melodies or create your chord progressions. Start integrating African rhythms and themes into your solos as you get more comfortable with the material!
Resources for Learning to Play African Music on Guitar
If you’re interested in learning more about playing African music on guitar, here are a few resources to get you started.
African Guitar Styles by Fela Sowande
This book is a great starting point for anyone looking to learn more about playing African music on guitar. It covers a variety of styles and rhythms and includes a lot of exercises to help you master the material.
The African Guitar: Its History and Development in Africa South of the Sahara by John M. Chernoff
This book is an excellent resource on learning about playing African music on guitar, as it describes how different scales and rhythms developed over time.
There you have it! Playing African music on guitar is a challenge, but it’s also a lot of fun. With a little bit of practice, you’ll be able to create your African-inspired guitar solos! If you’re looking for more information on playing African music on guitar, be sure to check out some of our other blog posts.…