One Vision - One Vibration

NATIVE AMERICAN MUSIC

Music plays an integral role in the life of Native Americans. It is used for ceremonial purposes, recreation, expression, and healing. There are many different instruments used when making Native American music, including drums, flutes, and other percussion instruments. Perhaps the most important element of their music is the voice.

Vocals are the backbone of the music made in Native American cultures. Unusual, irregular rhythms and a somewhat off-key style of singing is used. No harmony is ever incorporated, although sometimes many people sing at once, and other times the vocals are solo. The Native American vocals are passionate, used to invoke spirits, ask for rain or healing, or are used to heal the sick. In most cases, the men and women of the tribes sing separate songs, and have their own dances. The men typically dance around in a circle, while the women usually dance in place.

Many researchers feel that Native American music is some of the most complex ever performed. The tensing and releasing of the vocals combined with varying drum beats makes it a very intricate form of art. Another interesting item of note is that every region of the country where the Native Americans had settled produced greatly varying forms and sounds of music. With so many different tribes, the music produced is always unique to its specific group. Generally, Eskimo music has been touted as being the most simple of all of the Native American music styles, while the Hopi, Pueblo, and Zuni tribes of the Southwestern part of the country have been known to produce much more complex sounding music. The emotion invoked from Native American music has been a great influence in modern folk music. In addition, tribal music is still very popular among music fans, and Native American CDs sell fairly well, even in today’s modern climate.

http://www.indians.org/articles/native-american-music.html

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Eugene OV member Admin on March 27, 2012 at 6:18pm

Absolutely beautiful flute style.

This really speaks to my heart.

Do they still work as 'wind talkers' in the army? I think that was strategically an excellent move by the army but it is sad that they considered them expendable in order to protect the code.

Permalink Reply by Schay on March 28, 2012 at 2:53am

As I understand it there were approximately 400 that served in the Marine Corps during World War II and they developed a code that the Japanese were never able to break. It is said that because of them we owe a large part of the United State's success in WW II. I am happy that Ronald Reagan in 1981 recognized the NA wind talkers and named August 14 as National Navajo Code Talkers day and in December of 1981 he awarded them with a certificate of recognition. They say that modern day technological advances have made the Code Talkers unnecessary. When Mr. Charles Chibitty passed away in 2005 they mentioned that he was the last of the World War II Code Talkers.

Permalink Reply by AuroRa / Little Crow Feather on March 28, 2012 at 4:00am

Absolutely beautiful, and yet haunting at the same time. I just close my eyes and let the music and words take me where ever I am to go.

Permalink Reply by AuroRa / Little Crow Feather on March 28, 2012 at 4:29pm

Tony Redhouse, of the Navajo nation, is a
Native American sound healer, spiritual
teacher, inspirational speaker, Eagle/Hoop
dancer and award winning recording artist.

Permalink Reply by Schay on March 29, 2012 at 5:59am

"We have a very strong sense of time, but it is not measured by wristwatches or atomic clocks. Our sense of time comes from the Mother, from nature. We view time in cycles and in circles, in a rhythm that guides our world and all the living things that Grandfather has placed here. We do not "read" time; we try to understand its meaning and try to work within its natural cycles and circles.

When we gather, we do so when the time is right. What does that mean? It may mean that we gather when the Elders tell us it is time, or when we are hungry, or when dusk has come and we wish to pray or celebrate. It is not time that guides us to our destination, it is us who reach our destination in accordance with Grandfather's time.
We know that we will meet again when it is time for our paths to cross, not when our clocks tell us it is the right time. We are guided by an inner sense of time, Grandfather's time, which keeps us connected with each other and the Mother, the Earth. For us, time is not an imperative, not a deadline, but a rhythm. It is our job to learn to read and understand that rhythm. We do not sleep at a certain time, but when sleep comes. We do not awake at an appointed hour, but when our winged brothers and sisters summon us.
What is "Indian time?" It's always the right time. Grandfather has made it so. All we need to do is listen to the whispers all around us and we will know when to
take action and when to remain still."

Permalink Reply by AuroRa / Little Crow Feather on March 29, 2012 at 6:21am

This is pure heaven.

Permalink Reply by Schay on March 29, 2012 at 4:02pm

This is a song played by Aaron White and Anthony Wakeman. I could listen to it a 1000 times and never get tired of it. The smooth blend of guitar and NA flute is beautiful!!!

Permalink Reply by AuroRa / Little Crow Feather on March 30, 2012 at 4:21am

Permalink Reply by Schay on March 30, 2012 at 12:22pm

I just can't tell you how delighted I feel to hear this. It brings back such wonderful childhood memories!!! Thank you so much for posting this. Blessings to you,LCF and hope you have a fantastic weekend.

Love, Light and Harmony,

Schay

Permalink Reply by AuroRa / Little Crow Feather on May 7, 2012 at 4:06pm

Permalink Reply by AuroRa / Little Crow Feather on May 12, 2012 at 2:17pm

Who knows what tomorrow brings
In a world where few hearts survive.
All I know is the way I feel
If its real Ill keep it alive

The road is long
And there are mountains in our way
But we climb a step everyday

Love lift us up where we belong
Where the eagels cry on a mountain high
Love lift us up where we belong
Far from the worlds we know
Up where the clear winds blow

Some hang on what used to be
They live their lives, looking behind.
When all we have is here and now
All our lives up there to find.

The road is long
And there are mountains in our way
But we climb a step everyday

Love lift us up where we belong
Where the eagels cry on a mountain high
Love lift us up where we belong
Far from the worlds we know
Up where the clear winds blow.

Time goes by
No time to cry
Lifes you and I
Alive. Today.

Love lift us up where we belong
Where the eagels cry on a mountain high
Love lift us up where we belong
Far from the worlds we know
Up where the clear winds blow

Permalink Reply by AuroRa / Little Crow Feather on May 21, 2012 at 4:18pm