Article

Teaching about music and musical instruments of Kenya

Author

David O. Akombo

Information

pp. 221~245 / 2021 Vol.50 No.2

Abstract

This paper examines the classification of traditional musical instruments of Kenya in the context of teaching multicultural music in the classroom. The paper show cases samples of music and musical instruments of Kenya and how these concepts can be used in a music lesson. The paper s addresses how these musical instruments are taxonomised using established ethnomusicological systems and innovative cultural perspectives to make the subject more discernable for music learners. This paper was inspired by the fact that traditional musical instruments are hitherto significantly important in the Kenyan music education curriculum. This helps to narrow the gap between competing indigenous, Western, and Islamic forms of other instrumental classifications of orchestral instruments such as strings, woodwind, brass and percussions and other world music models including Kenya. The knowledge also informs learners on thehistorical, and cultural symbolisms, as well as aesthetics of music education in Kenya.

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