Ethiopian music is specific whit the style and instruments that use. So, as it is in the more of countries, on the Ethiopian music big influences was with the folk music. Ethiopia is land, country in Africa so lots of the influences come from the African countries. But, not only that other countries had influences on creating Ethiopian music, Also, it is important to mention that elements of Christian religious had also influences on Ethiopian music. Very important role in the life of Ethiopian people, but also and in their music had religious. But also and Muslim musical forms which are known as manzum.
In the Ethiopian music there is unique modal system, which is known as qenet. Very important role in the music of this country have theory, so it is important subject in the school of young people. specific rhythm and styles from Ethiopian music comes from the specific instruments that are used for playing it. Today, these instruments are in equally uses as they were before. So, important of instruments and also traditional instruments of Ethiopian music are: chordophones, aerophones, idiophones, membrnophones.
Each of these instruments has important meaning and important role in using of the playing Ethiopian songs. Also, some of these instruments are string, such as chordophones, and some are drums, but still they are in using until these days.
Various styles of popular music are available in Ethiopia. There are some of important bands that leaved trace on Ethiopian music. Some of them are Haile Selassie, which is Jerusalem band, Army band, police band, Buzusesh Bekele, Mahmod Ahmend Hirut Beke and much other. All those bands with musicians worked in the last years of 20 century. But, today one of the most popular and listening group in the Ethiopia is Los Angeles and Aster Aweke, Gigi, jazz musician Bill Laswell and other. It is important to mention that no matter how much it looks that Ethiopian music is more organic, still it has more genres and different presentations in these days.
People all over the world had used on the music that is more organic for Ethiopia, but still this country ahs very developed music with good history. Also, there are lots of schools that are intended for learning of the Ethiopian music. One of the most important is Ashenafi Kebede whch is school not only for learning how to playing music but also and for learning of theory.