Native American Music Vocabulary
Term
Tribes
Native American Music
Voice Quality
Vocables
Regalia
Powwow
Rhythm
Work
Flute
Ribbon Dance
Kokopelli
Percussion Instruments
Definition
An organization of families, clans,
or groups who share a common
ancestry and culture. There are
over 200 tribes.
The only music indigenous to the
American continents.
Tense and nasal.
Sung sound that is not a word:
syllables which have no apparent
meaning to a casual listener, but
which have a symbolic meaning
to another member of the
culture.
Native American clothing. Each
decoration has a religious
meaning.
A large gathering of Native
Americans. Many dances are
performed.
The basic element. Creates and
re-creates the pulsing flow of life.
Many songs are sung while they
work.
Only melody instrument. Only
played by the men for courting.
Never used for accompaniment.
Performed at a wedding. Red is
man, yellow is woman, blue is
creator. 3 couples dance that
weave the ribbons into a braid.
Grasshopper-like insect person
who played the flute.
Used to accompany the vocal
Skins
Strikers
Bells
Shakers
Scrapers
line.
Drums (Taos drum, water drum).
Stones, singing rocks, sticks.
Organic bells and jingle bells.
Turtle shell rattles
Rasp