Music in the traditional setting

Music in the traditional setting

Since centuries ago, music has been an art that conveyed messages, provided entertainment, and educated too. Music has come to evolve with passing times and changes in technology. Different music from different cultures varied in their delivery, as well as the type of instruments used. Some cultures do not even have musical instruments, and thus they produce sounds that have instrumental appeal. African music is identified with the ordinary drum that has a fast tempo, and this has gradually come to shape the type of music produced to date. Music in the African setting was usually directed by the kind of ceremony or occasion happening. Events like funerals brought about sad songs while weddings and other rites of passages were expected to have songs of celebration.

Music in the traditional setting was transmitted orally, typically other songs could be done at homes. In the kitchen, while women were preparing meals, or at the fireplace when the elders were giving young children advice and stories. Music has since been able to be published in different devices and methods. This has ensured that it could spread to distant destinations. Additionally, technology has brought about easy access to music from any location with internet access. However, this has brought about piracy, and many people are not benefiting commercially for the music they composed. Piracy is a punishable crime, and most governments are against it. Technology has mostly contributed to the growth of music, but it has also introduced more offenses to the music arena.

Ghanaian music has over the years transformed. It has come from the previous traditional beats; that conveyed ethical messages as well as entertained different people to a new genre that uses processed beats and delivers different non-ethical messages. Afro-pop, as it is referred to, is the product of the integration of western music with African music. The music is distinguished with processed beats but with a distinct African drum to it. Afro-pop has included in it RnB and hip-hop and has successfully knitted the two to produce a new genre that is beautiful to the ear and with a dancing tone to it. Westernization is the primary cause of integration since more people wanted western music that depicted a better life and lovely people. Ghanaian music is embraced in most of Africa and also appreciated in other continents. As it continues to grow, evolve, and get finer. Much is to be reviewed to bring back the ethical feel and instill better morals to the future generations.

Traditional Ghanaian music was characterized by many different factors including, ceremony and time of day. The various ceremonies ensured there were separate songs altogether. Traditional wedding ceremonies were described with jovial tunes and ululations: funerals and occasions where a member of the community had died also brought up the sad songs. Funeral songs among the Akan, the largest ethnic population in Ghana, often asked questions on why the departed had to die, expressed gratitude for the time he was alive and gave condolences to the bereaved family (Arko-Achemfuor 24). Songs were vital in such situations, and they helped the bereaved face the hard times with courage. Because of these songs, Ghanaians faced brighter days, even amid such calamities.

Traditional African music was characterized by the use of different musical instruments that made the whole process even sound better. Most instruments were made locally by professions in that field who were from the same community. It was a man’s job to prepare musical instruments. A good example being the Kagan drum that required a tree to be chopped down and placing the skin on the drum head meticulously. However, the musical instruments were made from locally available materials such as skin hide from animals and strings from sisal, and thus they were quickly made. Musical instruments in Traditional Africa guided the dancers and singers into a given rhythm. The instruments were of much help in leading the songs. As explained by Green, “African instruments are designed to replicate the spoken speech of a given ethnic group.” (238). It was, therefore, an easy task to differentiate instruments from different ethnic groups or tribes.

The effect of westernization on the African music scene has been quite significant. After the pre-colonial time, music publishing had been made possible. Most of the western genres of music were readily available in different formats and devices. Most radio stations played western music, and this was very attractive to a majority of the African audience. The display of a better life and beautiful people in high-quality videos influenced most artists to try and imitate that kind of music. This would not have been easily possible due to the massive difference in an accent as well as the different socio-economic status of nations. Integration of African beats with a bit of the western RnB and hip-hop produced the Afro-pop genre. The Afro-pop was fused well with the distinctive drum beats and had a fast tempo to it. Just like any other type of African music, the music could be danced to. Afro-pop has been widely appreciated, but some artists also sought to try Hiplife music, and that has been much embraced by the young generation. This type of music has been more of liberating and giving life to the previously unheard youths of Ghana (Osumare 55)

Music in Ghana also evolved due to the coming of the missionaries; it is observed that the missionaries came spreading their culture but never cared about learning the African cultures as well as music. This had a significant influence on the diminishing of the African cultures, especially to those young people who went ahead to join missionary schools to study western education. Missionaries can, therefore, be blamed partly on the ending of Ghanaian music. As asserted by Kwami, “the music taught and performed in several British West African schools during the nineteenth century comprised predominantly, if not exclusively, Western hymns and songs” (547). This eventually led to the westernization of any other music sang in Ghana. Ghanaian music ever since changed completely, from the type of instruments to the message delivered and even the audience that received the music. Most older people in Ghana listen to the old music that was recorded in the twentieth century before westernization crept in.

Music has significantly evolved since traditional times. After the discoveries of recording music, music changed delivery from oral to audio devices. In traditional Africa, music could only be enjoyed when a person delivered it orally. For this reason, much music was for a particular purpose. The incoming of technology allowed music to be commercialized, and musicians could now earn an income from their talents. Back then, parents would not allow their children to venture into music since it was not considered a noble profession. Nowadays, the situation has changed entirely due to the number of opportunities produced by the music field, from DJs to music producers, artist managers, and so on. Additionally, the current times allow music to be played at all times different from the past times, where music was performed for specific reasons and specific times only.

The current Ghanaian music scene is exploding with talent and creativity. The Highlife music, together with Afro-pop music, have been heavily embraced in the region. However, locals still listen to previous traditionally themed music. The majority being the older generation. Artists like Sarkodie have garnered high recognition in Ghana as well as the rest of Africa. He’s distinct Hip-hop style usually done in his ethnic language is catchy to even those who are not from Ghana. Sarkodie has won numerous accolades due to his hard work and dedication in putting Ghanaian music to the world map. Because of his immense success, many artists have partnered with him in various projects that aim at promoting both artists in other countries, respectively. Most artists get their income from selling music online as well as performing in concerts that collect an entry fee from attendees. Other forms of income for musicians in Ghana include endorsement deals by major brands that hope to market themselves through music. It is a bright future for most Ghanaians that plan on entering the music field.

Westernization is very clear in most Ghanaian music that is being made at this time. Most music videos right now are composed of artists flossing their affluent lifestyles, expensive cars, and big houses. The true meaning of music that was made before colonial times have disappeared. Most artists are now desperate to get the most views on YouTube and therefore invest more in costly music videos forgetting that the delivery of the music also needs as much dedication. Kanwetuu explains that “Ghanaian … “high life” music, dances, proverbs, and jokes are frequently woven around sex” (945). This complication has reduced the standard of good music being produced, and the competition for views and fame has gotten the better hand of most musicians. The idea of abusing drugs, illicit sexual behavior, and violence is no new thing in the current music being produced. The Ghana Music Rights Organization (GHAMRO) is doing a lot to ensure that artists are paid for their works and ensures that music is viewed as any other profession. With time, more young people are to join the business and deliver even better music.

The beginning of music publishing and the steady growth of music have affected music in significant ways. In the traditional Ghanaian times, music was supplied orally. This meant that music was only enjoyed when the respective singers were in proximity to the audience. As more discoveries were made over the years, music publishing became real, and now people could listen to any music at whichever location. Small, portable devices could carry vast volumes of music, and there was a whole revolution in the music industry. Music can and even contribute to a country’s development. Different social media platforms have enabled music to be marketed by the artists and still yet more by the fans who can share the music with as many people as possible. Platforms like Twitter and Instagram have enabled the quick supply of new music via Hashtags. YouTube, on the other hand, gives free viewing to videos uploaded. But at the same time, it offers advertisers the chance to have an opportunity to advertise in different videos that have a high number of views. Musicians can now earn from the comfort of their homes as the world watches their music videos for free on YouTube. With an increase in technology, there is probably better coming to the music industry in the future.

Technology has also done a lot when it comes to music production. Previously, most music was produced in a studio by the integration of different musical instruments. Nowadays, several computer software can create beats, alter artist voices, and even give different sound effects to music. It is easier to produce a song more than ever. Producers are getting more recognized, and they are charging expensive rates for the production of good music. On the downside, incompetent people have gotten into the business and have been able to produce bad music that is mostly not going to get played anywhere. Remaining as a loss to the musician. The ability to record a good song, market it, and get good earnings from the same is only possible with the sheer determination from several entities, including the management, producers, and the artists themselves.

Music faces the ever-present hurdle of piracy. Ever since music production became an economic activity, more people have gotten themselves into the art but only to reap where they did not sow. Selling of music that has not been distributed by the artist’s management is a crime in Ghana and many other countries. “Ghana was the first West African country to develop its recording studios and pressing plants” (Collins 161). This was, therefore, a significant reason for having so much music with people. Piracy has been a pressing issue in Ghana for a long time. Regulations have, however, been put across to prevent the distribution of music without consent from the owners of the art. The ownership idea of music did not, however, drill well with most Ghanaians since music was perceived to be a communal item. Several entities have come up in support of the artists, and much is being done to prevent extortion of musicians.

Ghanaian music has transcended from traditional music and has developed to becoming worldwide recognized music. The support of technology has been incredible, while westernization has been a significant contributor to what Ghanaian music is today. Notable contributors to the westernization of Ghanaian music have been the better perceived western life and the impact of missionaries on the traditional African setting. However, the evolved Ghanaian music has not forgotten its roots. The distinct drum beats are still a common future to most of its current music.

There is still much to do on the ethical values being passed down to young generations from the very trending music videos in most social media platforms. The cultural, moral values have been broken, and music is not doing much to knit them together. As long as musicians continue to thirst for views and fame, ethical values have a long way to coming back to normal. Music piracy continues to be a pressing issue for the revenue collection of different nations. It is the hope of many that technology fixes that problem and gives us better music too. Ghanaian music has come from quite far, and this should not be the end of it. Young people should be motivated to produce good music that will be beneficial to society.