Cool Stuff - Sub-Saharan Africa

 One of the things we learned about that really interested me, was music from Zimbabwe. I really enjoyed learning about mbira because it's such a beautiful instrument. I have a small one that I can't play very well, so it's amazing to see how people are able to play this instrument! I got on YouTube and started looking up videos to learn more about this instrument. In this particular video, this professor from the University of Missouri talks about how it's used in some ceremonies in Africa. He also talks about how not a lot of people are interested in learning the mbira at the university. It's sad that not a lot of people are interested in learning about the instrument, or in playing the instrument because it sounds simple. But just because an instrument has a soothing, relaxing sound, doesn't mean that it doesn't have complexities and techniques of its own to be learned. 

I also found this video with some beautiful mbira music that I really enjoyed listening to. 

The second thing that I was interested in while learning about Africa was Ladysmith Black Mambazo. While watching the documentary Under African Skies, I was captivated by their music and talent. In the documentary, they talk a little bit about how they practice and it amazes me how talented they are. They said that they normally record up to 12 songs a day when they rehearse, which is amazing. I was interested in finding more music by them, so I found this song "Rain, Rain, Beautiful Rain." It's such a pretty song and I love the harmonies of all of their voices together. One of the reasons I love acapella groups is because they have the ability to convey so many different sounds using only their voices, and when all of their voices come together, it's so magical. 

I also found a recording of them singing "Homeless," one of the songs that was talked about in the documentary. I thought it was really cool to see a full performance of this beautiful song. 

Finally, the last thing I wanted to share was a music group from South Africa that I found called Jamali. I thought it was cool how they're an all-girl group that sings pop/R&B/contemporary music. Another thing that I thought was interesting about them is how their group name is the first two letters of all of their names, put together. This song that I found by them "Love Me for Me" is about asking for love and acceptance as you are, and I thought it was really inspiring! I love hearing the different modern styles of music in this song, and how they come together. They also have really pretty voices that blend well together, and I enjoyed the overall message of the song. The second video I found of them is where they're singing a couple different covers of songs in front of a live audience, and you can see the band playing a bunch of different instruments, which I thought was cool.