Where does music come from? Actually, I am talking about American music, the one you can play with a drum set (which is an American invention, by the way).
Do you know?
The common idea is that melody and harmony came from Europe and the rhythm was originally from Africa. There is some truth to that statement, but, as for everything, it is more complicated than that.
The influences are from, literally, everywhere. The French came with their classical music, their classical instruments like the piano or the violin. The Spanish people brought the guitar. The German brought the structure. Even small European contributed like Belgian bringing the saxophone (Adolphe Sax was the inventor of the instrument). As for Africa, the drums, of course, was a big contribution, but also the relentless rhythm, whether it was with straight eighth notes or triplets. In Africa, the drums serve (served?) to communicate from one village to the next, as well as visit the spirit of the dead as well as elevate people into a state of trance. We still find that very present in today’s rhythm of the top 40: it churns, it never stops, stubborn like a clock.
The Caribbean and the Spanish people gave us the syncopated rhythms. The Italians gave us the language to define all the terms. Also, as always, the Italian gave us the sense of a good melody or a gorgeous arrangement.
The Asians, let’s never forget them, offered their science in rhythm, their discipline, their craftmanship. Most of the instruments today whether classical, jazz or rock are from Japan and they are very highly regarded (Yamaha, for example). The Asian continent also brought things like the cymbals. The Turkish makers mastered that art. Even as we speak, the 2 biggest cymbal makers bear Turkish names: Zildjian and Sabian.
So, to the question, where does it all come from? The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind.
