DMB1101 Theory of African and Western Music

This course prepares students to learn the theory of both African and Western Music hand in hand because African Music borrows a lot from Western Music.  In this way, the students should develop sense of pitch and different rhythmic patterns which exist in Europe and Africa.  The course also enables the students to learn and identify musical terms, signs and abbreviations which are essential in the writing (notating), reading and interpretation of music – all of which later lead to good music appreciation and analysis.  Basic music language is learnt at this stage.  As for African music in particular, the students will learn to analyze and understand African folk songs and dances from different ethnic groups in relation to costumes, props and body make-ups.  African Music has lagged behind Western Music for a long time and this course attempts to promote it in communities and in educational institutions as academic subject.

Course Objectives
By the end of the course, the students should be able to:

• Acquire musical sense of rhythm
• Acquire musical sense of pith
• Write simple melodies
• Transpose melodies
• Identify, sing and write modulations
• Identify different intervals
• Analyze different African folk songs
• Appreciate the role of African music in society
• Categorize and name different African dances
• Compare and contrast African and Western Music.

Expected learning outcome

• The students should be able to read and write music at elementary level.  
• The students should be able to appreciate music as an academic subject and apply it in their schools.  
• The students should value the existence and the role of music in society. 
• Essential music vocabulary should have been acquired.