Mikyla Rowland

African American Music

Dr. Decuir
February 11, 2021
Module 1
Define these terms:
⦁    Folkways-  A practice, custom, or belief shared by the members of a group as
part of their common culture.
⦁    Mores- Mores are social norms that are widely observed within a particular
society or culture; determine what is considered morally acceptable or unacceptable
within any given culture.
⦁    Customs- Custom is a usage or practice common to many or a particular place or
group of people.
⦁    Culture- Culture is the characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of
people, encompassing language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts. 
Polyrhythms in Video One:
You can definitely hear the use of polyrhythms and there was also melodious call-
response between each drummer and the audience. The sound of the drums definitely
reverberate in my spirit.
The Funeral:
People in New Orleans learned from their Ewe ancestors to celebrate at funerals by
dancing. You will note a "communal approach" to making music as mourners
participate (dance, shout and whistle) with the band.
How is this event different (if so) from any experiences you may have with
funerals? 
⦁    At funerals I can recall, the funerals somewhat differ than those in New
Orleans, but also share similarities. When you join a processional at a funeral,
the music is low, melancholy, and dragging- it's all about mourning the loss of
that physical being. We tend to not celebrate until the Eulogy, or even the cookout
after. During the recessional, the music changes and the transcendence into the
spiritual realm is accepted, much like that of a funeral in New Orleans.
How does the terms relate to what you see?
⦁    All of the terms defined above relate to the funeral of Juanita Brooks and
define the refinement of New Orleans and the happenings surrounding the city; it
also marks the difference between N. O and G A.
 Describe the music. Does it change? Note the melancholy mood among the mourners
and how it changed.
⦁    The music was melancholy at first, and changed to celebratory. The mourners
proceeded to dance, jump, laugh, and congregate as people joined on the street.
Watching the entire video, the whole ceremony was beautiful.
Michael Jackson and Jason Moffett:
⦁    There was definitely call back response and backbeat during the hook. My
favorite part of his polyrhythm was when he broke it down and began to grab the
cymbals as well.