Every culture on earth has their own music. In our course, we are going to focusing on what is called "Western Music" - the music of Europeans and Americans. But there is a rich heritage of "Non-Western" music as well. In fact, music of Japan, China, India and other "non-western" regions existed long before most of the music that we will be studying.

Click on the following areas of the map below to listen to stereotypical examples of music of different cultures:
(If the image map doesn't work on your computer click on the links provided below the map)

Remember, you can click on the  image BEFORE the link to get the music in a  pop-up window!

African Music American Music Australian Music Caribbean Music Chinese Music German Music Indian Music Japanese Music Mexican Music Middle Eastern Music Peruvian Music Spanish Music

Here are some differences between "Western" and "Non-Western" music:  

Concept	"Western" Music	"Non-Western" Music
Rhythm (the beat)	Steady and Regular	More Important and Creative
Dynamics (loud and soft)	Gradual, used for effect	Determined by type and number of instruments used
Scale (the notes used)	Based on major or minor scales.	microtonal scales (pitches are closer together)
Instrumentation (the instruments)	Orchestras, Bands, defined groups of instruments	More percussive, unique wind and stringed instruments
Form (the structure)	Rigid, predictable	More improvised