Keyboard for Adult Beginners. Traditional Native American Songs

The most difficult thing about playing Native American songs is their irregular rhythms. It might change several times during a song because rhythm is generally more important than melody. Songs for American tribes are traditionally a method of communicating with their ancestors and supernatural powers. Music is used to help grow a harvest, bring rain, bring victory in battle or cure the sick.

Music is seldom performed for its own sake and as a rule, the tribes tried to repeat sounds that were heard in nature (whispering winds, rain sounds, etc). That is why the rhythm prevailed and words were not so important. Some songs such as ceremonial or medicinal ones often were inspired by dreams. Here you can find traditional songs, handed down from generation to generation. These traditional American folk songs are possible to play on the piano, Melodica, glockenspiel, xylophone, or synthesizer keyboard, but remember that traditional American music never involved or included a piano or other keyboard instrument.

We added a QR code to each song. Follow the link and listen to the rhythm before beginning to play.