In this episode, we'll talk more about Mbira music as a type of participatory music. Participatory music is rare in the West and common everyplace else. These performances have distinct stylistic traits, performance conventions, expectations for those in attendance, goals, etc. Understanding mbira music as a participatory music is vital for understanding how the music functions in its social context and why it sounds the way it does. On a personal note, the ideas of participatory and presentational music have deeply impacted my understanding of the world's musics. They're useful tools for hearing and understanding new and familiar musics--I liken them to a unified theory of music making, and I hope that you find these ideas as valuable as I do!