Concepts of African Musical Theory

Ekwueme, Laz E.N.

doi:10.1177/002193477400500103

Cited by 18 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 5 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Using marks in boxes to indicate where percussive strokes occur in time, it offers a simple method of notating musical rhythm and showing relationships between them (Arom, 1991;Kaufman Shelemay, 2000;Koetting, 1970;Ekwueme, 1974).…”

Section: Notesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparing Timeline Rhythms in Pygmy and Bushmen Music

Poole

2018

EMR

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Combining theories of African rhythm from ethno/musicology and findings from anthropological research and population genetics with musical analyses based on transcriptions and computational phylogenetic techniques, this article compares rhythms used in Pygmy and Bushmen music in an attempt to provide new perspectives on an old debate that these musical cultures may share a common heritage. To do this, the comparative analyses focus on timelines: foundational rhythmic features that provide the structural basis of the music. The findings suggest that Pygmy and Bushmen timelines are interrelated and that most are organised according to the principles of 'rhythmic oddity' and maximal evenness. Generative theory suggests that commonly used rhythmic cells, in particular the 3:2 pattern, form the structural basis of many Pygmy/Bushmen timelines as well as many other timelines featured in African and African-derived musics. Timelines are also multi-purpose musical devices used in various different social contexts and their structure appears to be resilient to radical change. Phylogenetic analysis of timelines provides no clear Pygmy/Bushmen ancestral timeline, although it is possible that foundational rhythms such as the 3:2 pattern may have featured in the music of a common ancestral group.

show abstract

Section: Notesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparing Timeline Rhythms in Pygmy and Bushmen Music

Poole

2018

EMR

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The transition was not without complication, however, and Ekwueme (1974) writes of his frustrations with certain assumptions that were prevalent during this period:…”

Section: Agawu Goes Furthermentioning

confidence: 99%