Temporal issues in the inherent rhythmic expressions of African indigenous music performance practices

Abstract

This study focused on the reception and interpretation of African rhythmic expression and the management of independent roles in ensemble performance practices. Two points of view were explicitly discussed in this work to reveal the significance of cultural background in the reception and interpretation of a musical culture. African scholar’s perception and representation of independent rhythmic roles and instrumental blend in an ensemble forms the first view, while the second view is the perception of non-African scholar; their interpretation and representation of individual roles and rhythmic expression of indigenous African musical performance practices. These were examined using indigenous music practices of Igbo ethnicity in Nigeria as sample material. Data collected was through review of related literature, participant observation and personal interview. Finding revealed that the determinant factors for African compositional techniques, temporal application and implication in their performance practices are mere expression of cultural heritage or inherent life style playing out in musical expressions. Thus, the recommendation emphasized that for any scholar to rightly interpret and denote the cultural signifiers in the temporal involvement in African music culture his/her understanding of the people’s cultural principles, myths, connotations, tonal syntax, semantics, semiotics denotations and inter-semiotics is germen.