Music

Music is an art form based on organized sound occurring over time. It is made from voice (singing), instruments, or both. The basic components include pitch, timing and rhythm, timbre (tone quality), and dynamics (volume).

Music is found in all known societies. It takes part in religious gatherings, marriages, weddings and funerals, collective work, and entertainment. It is also used to preserve memory of history and narrative in cultures with oral tradition.

Elements of Sound

Pitch depends on the frequency of sound vibrations. When multiple pitches sound together, the result is called harmony; when they are played in sequence, it is called melody. Rhythm defines how time is divided, commonly measured in beats and bars. Timbre is what distinguishes the sound of a violin from a voice, even if the pitch is the same.

Musical Instruments

Instruments are generally classified as: string instruments (such as violin and oud), wind instruments (such as flute and trumpet), percussion instruments (drums and cymbals), and electric instruments (such as synthesizer). In Somali tradition, the kaban, oud, drums used as accompaniment, and shareero are well known.

Notation and Recording

Some musical traditions rely on listening and direct instruction, while others use notation systems in which pitch and timing are written down. Recording technology, which began in the nineteenth century, changed how music is distributed: a recorded performance can now be heard anywhere and at any time.

Somali Music

Somali music is closely linked to poetry. Many songs are built on a poem composed earlier, so words and melody are closely connected. Some examples include traditional songs related to work and weddings, and modern songs that emerged in the twentieth century, especially through radio broadcasts and narrative performances.