ROLE OF MUSIC IN TRADITIONAL FESTIVAL

Thesis Overview

<p> </p><p>An accurate and concise definition of music is fundamental to being able to discuss, categorize, and otherwise<br>consider what we understand as being music. “Explications of the concept of music usually begin with the idea<br>that music is organized sound. They go on to note that this characterization is too broad, since there are many<br>examples of organized sound that are not music, such as human speech, and the sounds non-human animals and<br>machines make” (Kania 2014). Many authorities have suggested definitions, but defining music turns out to be<br>more difficult than might first be imagined. As this article will demonstrate, there is ongoing controversy about<br>how to define music.<br>The Concise Oxford Dictionary defines music as “the art of combining vocal or instrumental sounds (or both) to<br>produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion” (Concise Oxford Dictionary 1992). However, the<br>music genres known as Noise music and Musique concrete, for instance, challenge these ideas about what<br>constitutes music’s essential attributes by using sounds not widely considered as musical, like randomly<br>produced electronic distortion, feedback, static, cacophony, and compositional processes using indeterminacy<br>(Priest 2013, 132; Hagerty 2007). A famous example of the dilemma in defining music is modern composer<br>John Cage’s composition titled 4’33”. The written score has three movements and directs the performer(s) to<br>appear on stage, indicate by gesture or other means when the piece begins, then make no sound and only mark<br>sections and the end by gesture. What is heard are only whatever ambient sounds may occur in the room. Some<br>argue this is not music because, for example, it contains no sounds that are conventionally considered “musical”<br>and the composer and performer(s) exert no control over the organization of the sounds heard (Dodd 2013).<br>Others argue it is music because the conventional definitions of musical sounds are unnecessarily and arbitrarily<br>limited, and control over the organization of the sounds is achieved by the composer and performer(s) through<br>their gestures that divide what is heard into specific sections and a comprehensible form (Gann 2010).<br>1.2 Statement of the Problem<br>Music has played a role in society since the dawn of man. Said to be the beginning of communication in early<br>civilization, music and dance have influenced how we think, act and treat members of our own society. Song and<br>dance is used in rites of passage ceremonies such as births, weddings and funerals throughout the world.<br>Jamaican and Yoruba cultures have made many contributions to our society. The uses of this music as a vehicle<br>for political issues, values, and beliefs have been used by many musicians from different cultures. The discuss<br>refers to the Contribution of these two contemporary cultures music and their effect on society.<br>The Yoruba people live mostly in Southwestern Nigeria. Traditionally, the Yoruba organized themselves into<br>networks of related villages, towns and kingdoms; with most of them headed by a king or mayor. (2013) Music<br>and dance have always been an important part of Yoruba culture for those living in Nigeria as well as in the<br>diaspora. Yoruba music and dance are used for many different occasions in life such as religious festivals, royal<br>occasions, and entertainment. Yoruba traditional music focuses on Yoruba deities. Drums and singing are the<br>main elements of Yoruba music. (2013)<br>Juju music emerged in the 1920’s and is the most well-known form of Yoruba popular contemporary music in<br>Nigeria. Juju has its roots in traditional Yoruba drum based music. Juju is dance music played by large<br>ensembles centered on guitars and drumming. Singing is a major part of Juju music and is inspired by Yoruba<br>poetry, proverbs, praise songs, and the musical character of the language. The culture and music remained the<br>same for decades after colonization and its explorers left Nigeria. However music like culture exact great<br>influence on the behavior of people in the society and a weapon of change and conflict by those who wrongfully<br>manipulate it. Therefore the problem confronting the research is to appraise Role of Music in Traditional<br>Festival</p><p><strong>1.2 Objectives of the Study</strong><br>To determine Role of Music in Traditional Festival</p><p><strong>1.3 Research Questions</strong><br>What is the role of music in traditional festival</p><p><strong>1.4 Significance of the Study</strong><br>The study shall appraise the role of music in traditional festival<br>Music and dance have influenced how we think, act and treat members of our own society. Song and dance is<br>used in rites of passage ceremonies such as births, weddings and funerals throughout the world. Jamaican and<br>Yoruba cultures have made many contributions to our society. The uses of this music as a vehicle for political<br>issues, values, and beliefs have been used by many musicians from different cultures.</p><p><strong>1.5 Research Hypothesis</strong><br>Ho Role of Music in Traditional Festival is negative<br>Hi Role of Music in Traditional Festival is poistive</p><p><strong>1.6 Scope of the Study</strong><br>The study focuses on the appraisal of the Role of Music in Traditional Festival</p><p><strong>1.7 Limitations of the Study</strong><br>The study was confronted by some constraints including logistics and geographical factors.</p><p><strong>1.8 Definition of Terms</strong><br>“Explications of the concept of music usually begin with the idea that music is organized sound. The Concise<br>Oxford Dictionary defines music as “the art of combining vocal or instrumental sounds (or both) to produce<br>beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion” (Concise Oxford Dictionary 1992)</p><p>&nbsp;</p> <br><p></p>