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Native American people are also known as First People or First Nations. The inimitable Native American music is very foundation of this culture. It is an essential part of their culture and people love to celebrate life through music. Different occasions in the life of Native Americans like, birth, wedding, death, harvest etc are celebrated with music and dance. The noticeable thing about Native American music is usage of instruments. It’s very much integral to their culture and music is incomplete without thorough use of different instruments. Most of these instruments are used based on some legends.
Native American music is based on melody. Music in this region is practiced as a vocal art and it is sans any polyphony or harmony. Solo singing is rarely heard in this place. Chorus singing is the more popular method. The distinctive element of Native American music is lack of absolute pitch, irregular rhythm, lack of intonation and a descending melodic figure. Music for Native Americans is more of a spiritual experience. They think, music helps them in communicating with mystical powers. Music is used for getting rid from diseases, to bring rain and during battles. Traditional songs are celebrated with amazing fervor. New age technological instruments are still not popular in this region and that explains why traditional instruments still rule the roost in native America.
Types of songs sung in the region are, modern songs, traditional songs, folk songs, medicine songs and ceremonial songs. In some regions, genres like jazz, country and blues are also getting popular. Well-liked singers are, Robert Tree Cody, Lila Downs, Joanne Shenandoah, Robert Mirabal, Tru Rez Crew and Martin Espino. Instruments regularly used are, simple skin drums, frame drums, water drum and square drum. Flutes, rattles and whistles are also used but usually drums are the main musical instrument for Native Americans.
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