Hostname: page-component-7479d7b7d-k7p5g Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-11T12:24:51.587Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

A Framework for Teaching West African Musics in Schools and Colleges

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 December 2008

Abstract

Existing classifications of West African musics seem to have a limited applicability as models for music education in schools and colleges. Hence, a more comprehensive classification, highlighting a range of syncretic forms, is merged with a structure in Ghanaian drum ensembles to yield a sequential, two dimensional, model. It is then argued that the model can be used as a framework for teaching West African musics in primary, secondary and tertiary educational institutions. A more general discussion is followed by an integrated arts application; finally, a musical perspective, including compositions by the present writer, is presented.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Agawu, V. K. (1984) ‘The Impact of Language on Musical Composition in Ghana: an introduction to the musical style of Ephraim Amu’, Ethnomusicology, 26, 2, 3773.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Amu, E. (1925) Twenty-five African Songs. London:Sheldon.Google Scholar
Amu, E. (1961) Three Solo Songs. Accra: Waterville Publishing House.Google Scholar
Anku, W. O. (1988) Procedures in African Drumming: A Study of Akan/Ewe Traditions and African Drumming in Pittsburgh. Unpublished PhD dissertation, University of Pittsburgh.Google Scholar
Anku, W. O. (1992) Structural Set Analysis of African Music: 1 Adowa - analysis and digital transcription. Legon: Soundstage Production.Google Scholar
Anku, W. O. (1993) Structural Set Analysis of African Music: 2 Bawa- analysis and digital transcription. Legon: Soundstage Production.Google Scholar
Asempa Publishers (1981) Africa Sings. (All Africa Conference of Churches Fourth Assembly,Nairobi,2–12 August). Accra: Asempa Publishers/Christian Council of Ghana.Google Scholar
Bebey, F. (1975) African Music: a people's art. (trans. Bennett, Josephine) New York: Lawrence Hill.Google Scholar
Bergman, B. (1984) African Pop: goodtime kings. Poole: Blandford Press.Google Scholar
Blege, W. (1992) An African Book of Songs. Ghana: Walter Blege.Google Scholar
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (1994) Music Makers: Talking Drums. (Programme 2) 11.15–11.35 a.m. on Tuesday, September 27.Google Scholar
Collins, J. (1985) African Pop Roots. London:Foulshams Publications.Google Scholar
Crook, E., Reimer, B. & Walker, D. S. (Eds) (1985) Silver Burden Music Centennial Edition. Morristown, New Jersey: Silver Burdett Company.Google Scholar
Eipe-Kristo-Hame, , (1966) Hadzigbale. Baden: Yohannes-Agbaletafe.Google Scholar
Fiagbedzi, N. (1977) The Music of the Anlo: its historical background, cultural matrix and style. Unpublished PhD dissertation, University of California, Los Angeles.Google Scholar
Gilbert, J. & Davies, L. (1986) Oxford Primary Music. Stage 1. Oxford: University Press.Google Scholar
Von Hornbostel, E. (1933) ‘The Ethnology of African Sound-Instruments: comments on Geist und Werden der Music-Instrumente by C Sachs', Africa, 6, 2, 157ff.Google Scholar
Kwami, R. M. (1984) West African Folklore and the School Curriculum: an investigation. Unpublished MA dissertation, University of London Institute of Education.Google Scholar
Kwami, R. (1986) ‘A West African Folktale in the Classroom’, British Journal of Music Education, 3, 1, 518.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kwami, R. M. (1989) African Music, Education and the School Curriculum. Unpublished PhD dissertation, University of London Institute of Education.Google Scholar
Kwami, R. (1990) Age and Gender: a classification of West African Musics. An unpublished paper given at the Conference of the Society for Research in Psychology of Music and Music Education at the Roehampton Institute, London, on 3 March.Google Scholar
Kwami, R. (1991a) ‘An Approach to Using African Musics in the Classroom Using Age and Gender Classifications’, British Journal of Music Education, 8, 119–37.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kwami, R. (1991b) 'An Aspect of the Organisation in Ghanaian Drum Music', Bambolse, 1, 1, 3441.Google Scholar
Kwami, R. (1991c) ‘Stories and Songs of Africa', Music File, Series 3, Issue 3, Unit 13. London: Mary Glasgow Publications.Google Scholar
Kwami, R. (1992) ‘Songs from the Akwa Ibom and Cross River States of Nigeria', African Languages and Cultures, 5, 2, 133–56.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kwami, R. (1993) ‘Music Education in Britain and the School Curriculum: a point of view', International Journal of Music Education, 21, 2539.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kwami, R. (1994) ‘West African Drumming: Agbadza'. In Naughton, Chris (Ed), Teaching Non-Western Musical Traditions at Key Stage 2/3, pp. 4357. London: Rhinegold.Google Scholar
Locke, D. (1978) The Music of Atsigbeko. Unpublished PhD dissertation, Wesleyan University.Google Scholar
Mensah, A. A. (1971) Folk Songs for Schools. Accra-Tema: Ghana Publishing Corporation.Google Scholar
Mensah, A. A. (1980) ‘Music South of the Sahara', in May, E. (Ed.) Musics of Many Cultures: an introduction. London:University of California Press, 172–94.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nketia, J. H. K. (1962) African Music in Ghana: a survey of traditional forms. Accra: Longman.Google Scholar
Nketia, J. H. K. (1963) Drumming in Akan Communities of Ghana. London:Nelson.Google Scholar
Nketia, J. H. K. (1963) Folk Songs of Ghana. Accra: Ghana Universities Press.Google Scholar
Nketia, J. H. K. (1975/1986) The Music of Africa. London:Gollancz.Google Scholar
Swanwick, K. (1988) Music, Mind and Education. London:Routledge.Google Scholar
Toffolon, E. & Nzewi, M. (1981) Sing ‘N Clap: folk songs of Nigeria for solo voice with piano and clap accompaniment. Elka Books.Google Scholar
Waterman, R. A. (1948) ‘“Hot" Rhythm in Negro Music”, Journal of the American Musicological Society, 1, 4, 2437.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wiggins, T. (1991a) 'Take Five', Music Teacher, 70, 2 (02), 3639.Google Scholar
Wiggins, T. (1991b) 'The Sunday Shuffle', Music Teacher, 70, 7 (07), 2427.Google Scholar
Wiggins, T. (1993) Music of West Africa. London:Heinemann Educational/WOMAD.Google Scholar