StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Navajo Music Issues - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
The essay "Navajo Music Issues" focuses on the critical, thorough, and multifaceted analysis of the major issues in the development of Navajo music. The Navajo people of the Southwestern United States occupy two major states namely Arizona and New Mexico…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER96% of users find it useful
Navajo Music Issues
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Navajo Music Issues"

Their structural system is based on a matrilineal system where women are the owners of livestock and land (Titon, et.al, 113-121). A Navajo man will have to live with his wife at her dwelling and become part of the clan. The female relatives are the ones who received generational property as an inheritance. Navajo music can be analyzed using the four components of music culture. The four components are ideas about music, activities involving music, repertories of music, and material culture.

This looks into the field of music in terms of its definition, whether it is an aspect of religion or if the larger social values are represented in the music of a culture. It considers the aesthetics of music that defines the things that are beautiful about the music as well as an objective standard of beauty in the music. The context of music is considered in terms of where it should be performed, the functions that it serves, and the type of audience. The history of the music is also considered. Navajo music is made up of a wide range of genres such as rap, rock, and country music and they are performed in either their native language or in English. It traditionally takes the form of ceremonial chants and echo themes. The ancient Navajo music is vocal accompanied by instruments such as rattles, rasp, flutes, bullroarers, and drumsticks. Their songs are mainly sacred with spiritual messages in them. They also have patriotic, recreational, and work songs that do not have sacred themes in them. The popular songs are for public performances while the sacred ones are reserved for religious ceremonies and events.

This is concerned with how people put music into practice. It further answers the question of how the practice of making music is reflected in the larger social norms. The Navajo perform their sacred music in ceremonies and rituals that are usually not to be recorded, filmed, or made available to the members of the public in any way. The singers who sing the sacred songs must also be qualified to offer prayers to the gods. The vocalists who lead the prayers are in a position to come up with harmony, balance as well as health matters in the songs.

This aspect of music considers the style, genres, text, movement, transmission, composition, and text. Style is defined as the organization of the music sound. Composition is about how music can enter the culture of music and whether the music has been composed originally or has been improvised. It further looks into whether the composition is an effort of an individual or it has been undertaken by a group of people. The movements that accompany the music are also considered. Transmission is related to how the music is passed or communicated. The songs by Navajo are accompanied by water drums and rattles and these are mainly seen in the Peyote songs that are part of the Native American music. The Navajo has adopted several genres of music as not all of their music is sacred. Contemporary Navajo music is composed of broad melodic ranges and genres that include hip-hop, reggae, country, and punk. Some of the greatest composers of Navajo music include Tribe II entertainment, Lil’Spade, Downplay, Shade, and Blackfire. These bands and artists have become an integral part of representing Navajo music in the world scene.

The final component of material culture examines the tangible objects of music culture. This includes recorded music, books, recording technology, and instruments. The music culture of a given group can be very different if there is a change in the material culture. This aspect can be explained by elaborating on the Navajo children's songs that were mainly touching on animals such as livestock and pets. The songs had themes such as games, chores, discipline, and respect for the elders among others. The song is passed from the mother to the child as that was the only way of learning the new songs.

The Navajo people greatly valued their music as it served as a means of bringing the people together as well as promoting deep understanding among them. The people resorted to music as a means of finding courage, locating their destinies, and understanding their roles in society.

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Navajo Music Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words”, n.d.)
Navajo Music Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/music/1700979-navajo-music
(Navajo Music Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 Words)
Navajo Music Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 Words. https://studentshare.org/music/1700979-navajo-music.
“Navajo Music Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/music/1700979-navajo-music.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Navajo Music Issues

Pow Wow Music Event of the Native Americans

Outside these greater circles there are areas for the people who have come to attend and see the show followed by allotted areas for vendors and suppliers of food, music items, costume, jewellery, souvenirs, native art and crafts, tribal bead works, leather items of the Native Americans, shops for the tribal tattoo works and suppliers for regalia.... Pow wow music is centrally accompanied with American-Indian drumming followed by singing along with dancing in the pow wow performance....
10 Pages (2500 words) Term Paper

Barriers to Healthcare

oss argues that society's approach to communication about sexuality and health issues is different across age groups, cultural profiles, sexual orientation, geographic locations, and ethnic divisions.... This essay "Barriers to Healthcare" refers to obstacles in the health care system that denies the vulnerable patient populations an opportunity to acquire the needed health care....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

History and Impact of Computing

The movement's ideas were spread through music and movies.... This assignment "History and Impact of Computing" discusses specific administrative documentation technologies that made the American, Japanese and British empires great.... The counterculture events lead to the rapid development of digital technology in an attempt to disseminate a fast, and concise message....
8 Pages (2000 words) Assignment

Different Level of Sociality in the Dream City of London

In the paper 'Different Level of Sociality in the Dream City of London' the author analyzes the ethical standards of the English culture.... Humanity's contemporary ethics are believed to be emanating from the featured society.... The social parties in the English community are very organized.... ...
9 Pages (2250 words) Assignment

Zumba Is an Aerobics Fitness Course

Zumba, through the use of music, has provided a relaxation spot for its members where they can maintain their mental and physical fitness.... He is from Columbia and started the Zumba program due to his passion for dance and music.... ince Alberto is a choreographer and a dancer, the fitness program incorporates music in its sessions (Perez, 2009).... Zumba uses music genres such as Salsa, Samba, Martial arts, Soca and Hip hop....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

Ralph Lauren's Native American Ads

For instance, in a fashion show, they could use background music as a source of information.... Items such as the navajo Hipster Panty are strongly racist.... The researcher of this essay analyzes the Ralph Lauren's Native American Ads.... Native Americans have been a greatly stereotyped race....
2 Pages (500 words) Book Report/Review

Visual arts and film studies

here was also a common visual artist and rapper Witko who uses his music to shade some light on the common issues that affect his people.... az is a Native American artist and activist working to inform the public on issues and inspire youth was also present.... As a member of Apsaalooke nation dedicated his life to empower the youth and educate the listeners through culture and music.... As a member of Apsaalooke nation dedicated his life to empower the youth and educate the listeners through culture and music....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Analyzing Native Language Diversity

Research and reflections related to linguistic diversity and school-level learning often look into cultural issues and communication skills.... The paper "Analyzing Native Language Diversity" discusses that if a Native American learner is helped in his/her mathematics class in both his Native language and English language, then he/she develops a much better understanding of the key concepts....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us