Original Compositions Using Elements From Fumεfumε Traditional Music

ABSTRACT

This study is an exercise in creative ethnomusicology as defined by Nigerian composer and scholar, Akin Euba. Bode Omojola (1995) refers to Euba‟s creative ethnomusicology as the “reinterpretation of stylistic tendencies”. It will engage works where materials collected through ethnomusicological methods are used for composition (e.g. the works of Nigerians Joshua Uzoigwe and Ayo Bankole and Ghanaians J. H. K. Nketia and Kenneth Kafui). A major goal of this work is to capture a set of features that characterize Fumεfumε music (a recreational style amongst the Ga people of Accra) through systematic study and transfer them to a different context and instrumental format, which will include western and traditional instruments.

I studied the historical background of Fumεfumε music while focusing on its musical elements and creative processes. Information was collected through participant observation and video recordings of performances. After analyzing the patterns of the music I composed three pieces that are highly evocative of Fumεfumε traditional music and falls under the category of African art music. Most Ghanaian composers have created works for vocal music and relatively few for instrumental music. As a consequence many instrumentalists have had to play pieces originally written for the voice. This work contributes to increasing the repertoire of Ghanaian instrumental art music as well as providing knowledge on Fumεfumε music which has very little documentation.