On African Music: Techniques, Influences, Scholarship

On African Music is a collection of seven essays that explore various techniques, influences, and scholarly approaches to African music. It addresses questions such as how minimalist impulses animate creativity, the prevalence of iconic effects, the role of European tonality in colonizing African music, the lack of recognition of African written art music, the rejuvenation of music theory through African aid, the strengths and limitations of ethnotheory, and the theorizations of African rhythm. The book deals with analytical and interpretive issues, the politics of scholarship, and the salient features of African music, appealing to readers interested in the structural underpinnings of African music and those who wish to reflect critically on how we study and write about it.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 19 July 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

On African Music is a comprehensive collection of seven essays that delve into diverse techniques, influences, and scholarly approaches to African music. Authored by one of the foremost academic writers in the field, the book offers a profound exploration of the rich tapestry of African musical traditions.

After a concise introduction providing the rationale for the book, subsequent chapters address a range of intriguing questions. These include:

How does a minimalist impulse animate creativity in Africa, and how does Western minimalism differ from African minimalism?

How do we explain the prevalence of iconic effects in African expressive forms?

How has (European) tonality functioned as a colonizing force in African music?

Why is the (written) art music of the continent talked about so little when it has been in existence since the middle of the nineteenth century?

How might the discipline of music theory be rejuvenated by aid from Africa?

What are the strengths and limitations of ethnotheory as a methodology?

Who is who in theorizations of African rhythm, and how might we explain the shape of the existing archive?

This book encompasses a wide range of analytical and interpretive topics, as well as the politics of scholarship and notable features of African music. Each page is filled with thought-provoking viewpoints, making On African Music appealing to readers with a curiosity about the structural foundations of African music as well as those seeking to engage in critical and philosophical reflection on the study and writing of African music.

Furthermore, the book offers valuable insights into how we can approach its global status with a firm understanding from the inside and what our priorities should be in promoting an empowering cosmopolitan discourse.

In conclusion, On African Music is a indispensable resource for scholars, musicians, and enthusiasts alike, providing a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the diverse and dynamic world of African music.

Weight: 350g
Dimension: 157 x 236 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197664070