NZ+Maori

Maori music is used a lot for religious purposes. In church services, the Ten Commandments and the Psalms are chanted in a monotonic waiata (Maori word for song), and this alternates between the minister and the congregation. Part of the congregation sings a third above, and several women sing a fourth above. Traditional Maori music was also used religiously as a prayer to the gods of knowledge. These were held in churches, meeting houses, outside on the marae or in private houses.
 * Music and how it is used within the culture **

There is a chanted style of music called Karanga, which is often used to give a ‘farewell’ to someone who has passed away.

A very well known Maori chant is the Haka. This is a chant shouted, accompanied by actions, stomping of feet and facial expressions. The Haka is used to welcome visitors to Marae, meetings, weddings, cultural occasions and to honour the deceased.

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The term Waitata is the Maori word for ‘song’, however it is broken into different types of activities:
 * Waiata aroha/whaiaaipo: love songs
 * Waiata matakite: prophetical songs
 * Waiata mihi: songs used to welcome people
 * Waiata poi/haka poi: songs personal to the composer
 * Waiata tangi: to honour a loved one who has passed on
 * Waiata whakapapa: songs about the history of a family

__ Pitch __ Scale Patterns: A study was conducted by Mervyn McLean, an expert in cultural music in 1969, about the scales and modes used in Maori music. It was discovered that the most used scale was tritonic scales (at 47%), the second most being tetratonic (31%) and the 3rd was ditonic (17%).
 * Characteristics of the Music **

Tritonic Scale on E

Tetratonic Scale on A

Ditonic Scale on G

Melody & Harmony: When people were to sing traditional Maori songs, there would be someone carrying a repeated melodic pattern (usually being one note which falls away at the end), with someone sing a third above and some even singing a fourth above.

Flutes and trumpets were often used in Maori music to keep the melody, with percussion items like the Tumutumu and the Tokere to keep the beat. Also, if vocalists are used they often sing the melody and the accompaniment is made through using just their body. Most Maori music is a cappella and all was acoustic.
 * Texture **

In Maori songs, sustained notes are often used, however in the chants, short succinct notes are used more often. Also, the chants were often more upbeat, while the songs were slower.
 * Duration **

In Maori songs, there was often a repeated melodic pattern, with a chorus following.
 * Structure **

Instruments: Majority of Maori instruments belong to the wind family (aerophones); mainly flutes and wooden trumpets. There are also several percussion instruments (idiophones). Many of the instruments are made from natural substances like wood, shells and bones.
 * Tone Colour **

__ Vocalists & music made from the body __



It is very big in the Maori culture to sing or chant songs, and use body parts to carry the beat (Eg. feet stomping, clapping their hands, slapping themselves…)

__ Koauau, end-blown flute __

This Maori flute is very important to Maori music. It can be made of wood, albatross wing bones or even human bones. The flute if 12-15 cm long with 3 finger holes. A Koauau is known for playing 'haunting melodies'.

__ Koauau, nose flute __

The Koauau nose flute was a very common instrument in the Maori culture. This particular flute is made from the hue/gourd and is played from the nose.

__ Tumutumu __ = = = =  The Tumutumu was often used in the house of learning, the whare purakau. There are 2 components to the Tumutumu; the bone and the striker. In this particular example, the bone is the jaw of the pilot whale and the striker is made from a native hardwood.

__ Poiawhiowhio, whistling poi __

The Poiawhiowhio was used as a bird lure. The Poiawhiowhio was a gourd which was hollowed out with holes drilled on either side and cord attached to it so it can be swung around the head to create a whistling sound that attracts birds.

__ Putorino — trumpet / flute __

The Putorino was used for signalling, rituals and ceremonies.

__ Pukaea — wooden trumpet __ This pictures shows a smaller version of the Pukaea. This instrument was used to announce conflicts and rituals involving the planting of the kumara and other plants.

__ Dog Rattle __ A dog rattle was used in the maori culture for hunting purposes. It was tied around the dog’s neck when they were hunting for kiwi. The gentle rattle sound this made, helped the hunter to be able to follow the dog in the dark.

__ Tokere __



The tokere acts as a castanet type instrument; clicked between the thumb and fore finger. It is made from either bones, shells or hardwood.

__ Putatara __



The putatara was made from conch shells with a carved mouthpiece. This instruments creates a trumpet type sound, it is often referred to as a whale like sound.

__ Porotiti __

This particular instrument is played by twirling the cord so that the wooden part spins, creating a humming sound. The Porotiti can be made from wood, bones, stone and even cardboard. The porotiti belongs to the wind family. The porotiti is used as a medicinal substance to ease athritis, colds and congested chests. It can also be used as a child’s toy.

Bilbiography

Richard Nunns, (2014). [online] Available at: http://www.richardnunns.net.nz/a/instruments/ __[Accessed 25 Aug. 2014].__

__Richard Nunns, (2014). [online] Available at: http://www.richardnunns.net.nz/koauau-ponga-ihu-nose-flute/__ [Accessed 25 Aug. 2014].

Anon, (2014). [online] Available at: http://www.carving.co.nz/puoro.html __[Accessed 25 Aug. 2014]__

__Anon, (2014). [online] Available at: http://www.tahaa.co.nz/taonga-puoro-mainmenu-30/porotiti-mainmenu-45.html__ [Accessed 25 Aug. 2014]. Anon, (2014). [online] Available at: http://www.tahaa.co.nz/taonga-puoro-mainmenu-30/porotiti-mainmenu-45.html __[Accessed 25 Aug. 2014].__ __Anon, (2014). [online] Available at: http://digital1.natlib.govt.nz/support/discover/m3essay.htm__ [Accessed 25 Aug. 2014].