Music of the Philippines Essay

Words: 3170
Pages: 13

Group 1, 4M Anupol, Cayabyab, Chua, Luarca, Shimamoto, Torio, Yumol

Music, 3rd Term

PHILIPPINE MUSIC
I. YEAR AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Philippine Music is divided into four eras or traditions, namely Ethnic, Spanish Colonial, American Colonial and Contemporary traditions. Majority of Philippine Music really revolves around cultural influence from the West, due primarily to the Spanish and American rule for over 3 centuries. Oriental (ethnic) musical backgrounds are still alive, but mainly thrive in highland and lowland barrios where there is little Western influence. II. THE ERAS ETHNIC TRADITION (9th to early 16th century) Philippine ethnic musical traditions are diverse in nature, although there are many common instruments and

As a result, as an offshoot of liturgical music, extraliturgical music was born. It evolved as time passed and eventually lost its religious characteristic. The combination of ritual music of the indigenous religion and the music of Christianity paved way for Secular music as years passed. This type music from the Spanish Colonial tradition assimilated elements of European secular genres. From the traditional sound of ethnic music, to Pinoy rock, from bodabil to kundiman, and from guttural music to Pinoy novelty, Filipino music has greatly evolved over the past five centuries.

Music had already been present even before Filipinos were supposedly “civilized” by the Spaniards. Filipinos, before, used different materials, such as animal skin, wood, and other organic materials to create their own musical instruments. Ethnic music in the Philippines concentrated on the different beliefs, lifestyles, societies, etc., of the native people. When the Spanish came and invaded our country, ethnic music began to disappear because it was highly discouraged. Instead, Spanish colonialism gave rise to religious and liturgical music. However, the Spanish brought with them the formal education of music to those who were capable of learning them. Also, the Spaniards were able to expose the newlyconverted Filipinos to their own musical instruments such as the flute, the harp, and the guitar. Musical