When it comes to Nigerian music, few genres are as influential and beloved as Afrobeat. This fusion of highlife, jazz, and traditional African percussion has…
Afrobeat: The Nigerian Music that Defies Conventions
Category: Articles
Güiro, the Essential Salsa Scraper
The güiro, a percussion instrument hailing from Puerto Rico and Cuba, features a hollow gourd with open ends and notches cut along one side. Typically…
The Cuatro, a Prominent Element of the Rich Folk Music Heritage of Puerto Rico
The Puerto Rican Cuatro is a small, five-stringed musical instrument that is a staple of traditional Puerto Rican folk music. It is an integral part…
Chamamé, the Folk Music of Northeastern Region of Argentina
Chamamé was crafted by the inhabitants of the Northeastern region of Argentina, an expanse enriched with forests, rivers, cascades, and red soil. The genre was…
Balafon, the ancient xylophone of West Africa
The balafon is a type of struck idiophone, specifically a gourd-resonated xylophone. It is closely associated with the Gur, Mandé, and Senufo peoples of West…
The Mandolin: A Versatile and Agile Instrument
The mandolin is a stringed musical instrument that is closely related to the lute and the guitar. It has a small, pear-shaped body and a…
Reggae, the Timeless Rhythm of Jamaica
Reggae music is an infectious, rhythmic style that has seduced many music fans across the world. Originating in Jamaica, reggae is a genre that has…
Sevdah, the Passionate Song Tradition of Bosnia
(headline image: Mostar Sevdah Reunion) Sevdah, or Sevdalinka, is a traditional style of music originating from Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is characterized by its melancholic…
The Versatile Oud
The oud (also spelled ud, l’ud and ‘ud) is a stringed instrument that is commonly used in Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Armenian, and Central Asian music.…
Palmas, the Heartbeat of Flamenco
Palmas is the captivating traditional hand clap percussion used in Spanish flamenco music. In addition, palmas are also used in other folk music traditions throughout…