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who asked the first question? - International Research Center For ...

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1761998:584). Yali polyphony is more adventurous – <strong>the</strong>ir songs are based on two- four-partcontrapuntal polyphony.MicronesiaMicronesian group singing traditions are sometimes considered to be close to <strong>the</strong>Sou<strong>the</strong>astern Asian polyphonic traditions of mountain Vietnam, Sou<strong>the</strong>rn China, ando<strong>the</strong>r group singing traditions from this region (including Nor<strong>the</strong>astern Indian polyphonictraditions). Generally, polyphonic traditions in Micronesia are not as strong as inMelanesia and particularly Polynesia, and are mostly based on unison and heterophonicforms of singing. We should not forget that group antiphon and responsorial singing (inunison and octaves) is widely spread between peoples with both monophonic andpolyphonic singing traditions.AustraliaDespite <strong>the</strong> fact, that Australian traditional music is heavily based on groupsinging (mostly unison singing with some elements of heterophony), singing in parts isnot characteristic for <strong>the</strong> indigenous populations of this continent. If we do not take intoaccount <strong>the</strong> singing traditions of late migrants from different parts of <strong>the</strong> world, we maysay that Australia is <strong>the</strong> most monophonic continent of our planet. The only tradition thatcontains polyphony is <strong>the</strong> vocal-instrumental forms, particularly in <strong>the</strong> nor<strong>the</strong>rn tip ofAustralia, where <strong>the</strong> didgeridoo (drone) and singing voice creates drone two-partpolyphony. According to available information, polyphony is not performed in a purelyvocal form.CONCLUSIONSSo we come to <strong>the</strong> end of a review of vocal polyphonic traditions all over <strong>the</strong>different continents. The distribution of vocal polyphony shows an uneven and puzzlingpattern. It is quite safe to say that some continents and major regions of <strong>the</strong> continents arepredominantly monophonic, while o<strong>the</strong>r continents and major regions are predominantlypolyphonic.Predominantly polyphonic continents are Africa (more precisely sub-SaharanAfrica) and Europe (particularly <strong>the</strong> mountainous and island parts of East Europe andMediterranean region). Ano<strong>the</strong>r very important polyphonic region (not a continent), isOceania (particularly Polynesia and Melanesia),On <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r hand, <strong>the</strong> major parts of North, Central and East Asia, Australia andmost of North and South America are monophonic, although <strong>the</strong>re are some veryinteresting exceptions, like <strong>the</strong> polyphonic singing of <strong>the</strong> Ainus in North Japan, or <strong>the</strong>secondal polyphony of Nuristanians in mountainous Afghanistan, or <strong>the</strong> drone polyphony

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