Native American music is a heritage of the indigenous peoples of North America and Canada, music created and performed by them. In addition to ancient traditional motifs, there are still tribal genres. There are various adapted popular trends (rock, blues, hip-hop, classical, reggae), and some unique styles.
Traditional Native American music plays a crucial role in the life of the indigenous population. It is performed for ceremonial purposes, historical, cultural, educational aspects. It is believed that she was bestowed by the deities and spirits of respected people. In addition, there is a belief that people with musical talent have a special power. All rituals were formed under her influence. Each song and dance illustrates messages about deities, symbols, which are very important for the nation as a whole and, in particular, for a tribe, clan, family, individual person. Epic legends, stories about cultural heroes are part of a tribal musical tradition. Although Native American music varies in style among different Native American peoples, its common idea is the strong connection of music with the spiritual principle.
There are many various instruments for its implementation, first of all, drums and flutes, but perhaps its most important feature, or rather, the basis, is singing. Vocalization is known for various forms: solo performance, in unison, in chorus, multi-layered. Unusual, irregular rhythms, a somewhat “fake” style of singing are used. There is no harmony, although often many people sing together at once. Passionate violent vocals, as a rule, pursue sacred goals - to call on spirits, to ask the gods to send rain to the earth, to heal someone's soul. In most cases, traditional Native American music is characterized by gender identity. This means that men and women have their own separate songs and dances.
Percussion (drum beats, rattles) is a common accompaniment that maintains a steady rhythm for singers (dancers) who perform in their native language (for each people) and use non-lexical vocabulary. Many researchers believe that Native American ethnic music in the aggregate is difficult to perform because of the intense vocals combined with variable drum rhythms. The easiest direction of all styles is considered to be the Eskimo performing tradition. Hopi, pueblo, zuni peoples are the creators of complex-sounding compositions.
The emotional unrest, the emotions that it causes, had a great influence on the modern trends of folk art. In addition, she is very popular in the modern world, CDs with her recordings are always in demand among music lovers. So, the popular compositions “Passion Fire & Grace”, “Primavera” performed by the famous guitarist Gabriel Ayal (an Indian from the Yaki people) are the brightest new products of 2011.
The music of the indigenous peoples of America and Canada embraces both secular and sacred traditions. In the first case, these are songs performed during communal celebrations dedicated to people. The second is connected with philosophical concepts, such as the life of the spirit, the origin of the elements on Earth. However, the Indians perceive both directions in the same way and do not distinguish between them.