57 countries make up the continent of Africa. Each country has a distinct culture that is shaped by the dozens of tribes who have inhabited the land for centuries. There is no one style of African music – rather, its music is like a richly woven tapestry of many traditions.

Although the music of Africa is richly diverse, the various tribal traditions share common elements that are different from European classical traditions.

European Classical Music	African Tribal Music
The composer is revered. Musicians play the music exactly as the composer intended.	There is no composer. Musical inspiration is a divine gift. The resulting song is shared by all and open to interpretation.
Performers are people with talent who have had lots of training and practice. Audiences watch and show appreciation.	Music is participatory, and the line between performer and audience is blurred.
Harmony is a major organizing principle, with major/minor tonality as the foundation for most music.	Rhythm is a major organizing principle, with complex interwoven patterns (polyrhythms) as the foundation for most music.
Music is art and entertainment, listened to for fun and used to enhance enjoyment of social functions.	Music is functional, practical, and woven into the rituals and customs that make up African life.
Music can be used to accompany dance, but performers and audience are often still in order to focus on the music itself.	Music and movement are closely linked – performers and audience almost always dance or sway to the beat.
Music is written down. Performers take care to follow the instructions on the page so that the composer’s intent will be preserved.	Music is transmitted through the aural tradition – passed down “by ear” between generations, and tends to evolve over time.
The written music is the final authority, but in large ensembles, a conductor interprets the composer’s instructions and guides the musicians.	A master drummer or griot (song leader) leads the group in a call-and-response fashion. This person can change the direction of the song at will.

Because of the African diaspora – the scattering of Africans to other continents, largely due to the slave trade – its musical influence is felt worldwide.

Latin American flamenco and salsa and Caribbean calypso are influenced by Africa.
Jazz is an African American style that has achieved worldwide popularity, and there is even a strong (and often unrecognized) African influence in the rock music of the twentieth century.