Research Analysis in African Music

Analysis is a systematic, comprehensive and critical examination of the content of musical data
in order to identify all the salient musical and extra-musical information inherent in the music.
This for the purpose of appreciation, review, critic and to be documented as reference for other
relevant future research studies.

Types of Research Analysis

1. Textual Analysis
This involves the analysis of song text or lyrics in the music. Textual analysis involves
description of the title, language of text, poetic form, poetic settings, poetic structure,
poetic device, linear structure of text etc.

2. Musical Analysis
This involves the analysis of the sounds of the music. Musical analysis involves the
description of the key (tonal center), melodic movement, melodic contours, melodic
device, melodic structure, phrases and cadences, cadential formulars, harmonic styles and
structures, melodic range etc.

3. Comparative Analysis
This involves the analysis of two or more music in order to identify and highlight the
salient musical information inherent in the two music. This type of analysis also compare
and highlight the similarities and differences between the two music. The comparative
analysis also weigh the musical and socio-cultural values of the two music and the
uniqueness in each of the music.

4. Cultural Analysis
This involves the analysis of the cultural relevance, implication and values of that music
in African society. Cultural analysis also highlight the impact of the society’s culture on
the music and vice versa. It is also a mirror showing the functions and roles which music
plays in African society and the people.

5. Socio-religious Analysis
This involves the analysis of the social and cultural relevance, implication and values of
that music in the society. Socio-religious analysis also highlight the impact of the
society’s religion and social activities on the music and vice versa. It is also a mirror
showing the functions and roles which music plays in religion, rituals, rites as well as
festivals and other social activities in an African society,

Musical Performances in Africa

Types of Performing Group

There are two types of performing groups in Africa. The two are:
i. Organized group
ii. Unorganized group
The organized group involves known and registered trained individuals that forms a
group that performed music together. The organized group have time for rehearsals and
they meet regularly to discuss new musical ideas or compositions. Their performance is
not open to non-members of the group.
The un-organized group involves unknown and un-trained individuals that urgently come
together as a group to performed music together. The unorganized group don’t do
rehearsals and they only meet to perform impromptu. Their performance is open to
anybody who can sing or play an instrument, either trained or untrained.

Types of Performance in Africa

There are two types of performing groups in Africa. The two are:
i. Organized Performance
ii. Spontaneous Performance
The organize performance is done by an organized group who have rehearsed and well
prepared for the performance. They are usually people which are members of the same
band who have been playing together for some time. In an organized performance, the
purpose of the ceremony is spelt out in the songs and the content of the song is
communicating to the people as pre-planned by the group.
The un-organize performance is done by group of people who have no idea that they
were going to perform before the performance. Un-organized performance is not usually
being prepared for, before the performance. They are usually people who have not been
playing together for some time. In an un-organized performance, the performers usually
improvise since he or she didn’t prepare for the performance.