The Noteable Nations:
Although the following providences include commonalities in certain musical aspects, each of the regions incorporate their own individual style and articulation of music.
Asia
Asia, as the world's largest landmass, contains a staggering amount of human diversity, thus also containing a multitude of music. Despite the hundreds of differing cultural, ethnic, and linguistic groups, certain cohesion to the music of Central, East and Southeast Asia that gives them an distinctiveness all their own.
China’s musical history is nearly as old as the country itself, with a known classical apex in the years of early Roman domination over the Mediterranean. The sounds of ancient China influenced the music of its neighbors, most obviously in Japan and Korea, where Chinese instruments and styles were brought, earned, and adapted. As well, China’s musical culture spread along the ancient Silk Road where it was introduced to the peoples of the area.
From the slow classical Chinese pieces, to the up-beat Indian beats, to the Russian percussion pieces, to the Middle Eastern Brass, Asia is by far one of the most diverse cultures musically. With the Middle East being the cradle of civilization, and China and India being the world’s two oldest surviving cultures, this comes as no surprise, because their musical styles have had millennia to develop. At the moment Japan is the leading pop music nation in the region, with many neo-rock bands, although some of them are clearly spewing government propaganda, their sound is their own.
To the South, Malaysia and Indonesia are a musical center all their own, with many historic influences that draw on Indian, Chinese, Muslim and indigenous originations.
To the East, Japan and South Korea are both widely-known pop centers with western-derived trends accumulated over the years. However, both nations have histories of a rich indigenous musical culture. Japan especially has classical and art-music histories along with the many local folk styles. Korea has its folk music traditions, preserved against the onslaught of pop culture. (1)
Europe
Europe has a mixed musical culture. While being the birthplace of Western classical music, Europe is also home to one of the most developed pop-music markets in the world, along with many localized ethnic and folk traditions throughout the continent.
Traditional music in Europe is extremely diverse: traditional Gaelic sounds of Ireland; brass bands in the Balkans; alpenmusik in the regions of Germany, Switzerland and Austria; Basque music in Spain and France; fado in Portugal; polska in Sweden; Romanian Techno; British folk-rock in the United Kingdom; the yoik tradition of Finland; and a probable hundreds of other smaller, more regional styles that can be found across.
Traditional music has had an important influence on the development of European Classical Music and Opera, especially during the 19th century, when the Romantic composers looked for inspiration in the European rural folk cultures.
Musical movements throughout European history have influenced the entire world. The Romantic Movement gave national pride to the peoples of Eastern and Central Europe, this nationalism brought colonialism, which instigated rapid industrial expansion. Albeit unintended, one side effect of colonialism was the introduction of European music and instruments worldwide.
Today, Europe is a huge center of diverse styles of music with all genres of postcolonial pop, traditional folkloric music and fusions and cultural crossovers. Modern European artists within these ‘crossed’ genres represent multiethnic and multifaceted sounds from all over the world, centering where it began; in Europe.(2)
Oceania
Oceania is the region of the world more or less in the Pacific Ocean. It includes Australia, Fiji, Hawaii, the Philippines, and Polynesia. There are three subdivisions of Oceania; Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia. The cultures and music of the Pacific region are extremely connected, despite being separated across great distances.
The three main island groups in the Pacific each shows distinct connection to the next through music and culture.
Polynesia:
Polynesian music is by far the most popular sub-genre of oceanic music; it also includes the steel-guitar music of Hawaii, and singing is a major focal point in Polynesian music. Many traditional instruments can be found throughout the region though it is obvious that the voice has been, and still is, the most important instrument among Polynesian peoples; their choral music is unsurpassed. As well, in Polynesian musical culture a significance is placed on dances, such as the Hawaiian hula, the 'aparima of Tahiti, or the Western Samoa's ma'ulu'ulu, as well as the legendary hakka of the New Zealand Maori peoples.
Melanesia:
Melanesia includes the larger islands, such as Fiji, and has a musical style revolving around rituals, dream states, and possession. Singing is definitely a focal point of Melanesian music, but it is not as strong as in the choral music of Polynesia; therefore, Melanesian music is not as famous as Polynesian music but it is just as diverse. It includes the tribal styles of New Guinea, the Polynesian-influenced sounds of Fiji, and even the music of the Australian aborigines, who share cultural personalities with the Melanesian peoples. The instrumentations of the Melanesian vary from the Australian didgeridoo to the musical bows and bullroarers of New Guinea. The common characteristics between the diverse traditions binds them together thorugh ritual, dream states and even spirit possession.
Micronesia:
Micronesian music is much more dependent on vocals than the styles described above, with a much lesser emphasis on instruments. One main forms of musical expression of this region is the stick dance, which shows variety between islands but consistently tells the stories of the peoples.
When European settlers and missionaries entered the region they brought with them their intense religion, and with the religion came its musical aspects. Europeans brought more than just Christian music, though. The biggest impact was the stringed instruments, such as the guitars and ukuleles that Westerners brought with them. Throughout the entirety of Oceania groups of guitar, ukulele or steel-guitar players are still intensely popular. As well, the two former British colonies of Australia and New Zealand, were introduced to and maintained Western pop, folk and country styles that they have now taken and made all their own. (3)
Africa/South Africa
African music is somewhat primal, and is relatively basic; however, traditional African music is a central part of African life and is deeply linked with the society in which it was created. It functions through social, ritual, and ceremonial purposes as well as some purely for pleasure. Traditional music is rooted in ancient mythology, legends, and folklore, intended to link the visible world with the invisible.
The most popular instruments of African societies are means of percussion through rattles, friction sticks, bells, clappers, cymbals, the sansa, xylophones. And several types of drums. Various wind instruments are also made out of tusks, horns, conch shells, wood or gourds. Drumming is very popular in Africa and in some societies is more important than melodic music others. One of the most popular melodic instruments is the mbira which is used in different cultures, in different forms, in different ways. Once again, percussion instruments and vocals dominate the scene, and music is performed for religious ceremonies as well as recreation. Since most of Africa does not have a written tradition, this makes their music particularly difficult to put on the Western Staff.
South Africa:
South Africa is a nation with a bloody history of white rule and black oppression, however it is a nation of great musical beauty. South Africa has some of the most appreciable vocal music in the world, and has the world’s largest recording industry. South Africa started producing commercial music in 1912, and started its own recording studios in the 1930’s.
For centuries the Zulus, Xhosas and Sothos have celebrated their lives in South Africa through song. South Africa has given us some of the most memorable voices from the African continent. Many of whom started out singing in mission school choirs or in church, and transitioned to a sophisticated recording industry.
South Africa, more than any other African country, has taken inspiration from the United States in terms of music and style. American jazz artists and concepts invigorated the e South African jazz scene starting from the '30s on. American styles of soul, disco and hip-hop from the 1960s to the present-day cultures all have reproductions in South Africa.(4)
South America
South America is a place of many different hybrid music styles all clashing together to form a style that is very unique. Latin music is the most prevalent, and like all music from the region, it ties together the roots of Native Americans, Africans who were forced there as slaves, and the European Conquerors. R&B, Hip-hop, rap, and international pop are also some very prevalent musical forces, on top of the localized dances and musical features, such as the Tango or the Llaneros.
Several parts of South America hold a specific variety of music as their own. Brazil alone is one of the world's great musical powerhouses, home to styles such as samba, bossa nova and much, much more. Argentina is the home of not only the famous tango but also zamba, milonga and chamamé. Colombia and Venezuela have musical styles of their own, from the high-plain joropos and llaneros to the coastal sounds of vallenato, cumbia and currulao.
As in most of the world, pop music can be found across the continent, and international pop, R&B, hip-hop and dance music are all immensely popular as a result of MTV's Latin American division. But homegrown pop is equally important in has produced much worldwide attention; additionally, what is most interesting is the rise of homegrown pop, such as Rock en Español, which really shows how the region is developing.(5)
(1)“Asia.” National Geographic. 2008. 1 Apr. 2009 <http://worldmusic.nationalgeographic.com/worldmusic/view/page.basic/region/content.region/asia_2>.
(2)“Europe.” National Geographic. 2008. 1 Apr. 2009 <http://worldmusic.nationalgeographic.com/worldmusic/view/page.basic/region/content.region/europe_3>.
(3)“Oceania.” National Geographic. 2008. 1 Apr. 2009 <http://worldmusic.nationalgeographic.com/worldmusic/view/page.basic/region/content.region/oceania_5>.
(4)“South Africa.” Natioinal Geographic. 2008. 1 Apr. 2009 <http://worldmusic.nationalgeographic.com/worldmusic/view/page.basic/country/content.country/south_africa_37>.
(5)“South America.” National Geographic. 2008. 1 Apr. 2009 <http://worldmusic.nationalgeographic.com/worldmusic/view/page.basic/region/content.region/south_america_6>.