Description: Interest in world music is at its peak. Listening to non-Western music in concerts and on radio, television, and CDs has become an important part of our musical experience, yet the general tendency is still one of passive acceptance. The aim of this book is to offer a detailed and informative introduction to the underlying principles that give non-Western music its marked coherence and characteristic profile and to encourage the reader to explore rich and fascinating sounds from around the world.

Traditional African and Oriental Music focuses on five distinct cultures: sub-Saharan Africa, the Islamic world, the Indian subcontinent, China and Tibet, and the Far East (Japan, Java, and Bali). Each chapter examines the rhythm, melody, harmony, and instruments of each region's music, plus elements of the culture that contribute toward an appreciation of the music, such as religion, poetry, drama, dance, and social structure. World-music scholar Otto Karolyi provides readers with insight into what is going on, and why, when they hear music of non-Western cultures, allowing them to grasp each culture's intricate musical traditions. For music lovers, students of anthropology, and anyone interested in the important contributions of these storied cultures, this is an indispensable resource.

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