African musical instruments pedagogy in tertiary institutions: A case study of the Department of Music, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka

Abstract

The study of music in tertiary institutions embraces different aspects of musicology at both Undergraduate and Postgraduate levels. The effort is geared towards an overall musicality of the learner or better still, towards the enhancement and or development of musical arts education in the society. Taking a stance from the Undergraduate Programme of studies in the Department of Music Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, one wonders whether  equal prominence are given to the practical application and study of both Western and African music in terms of musical instruments. The paper sets to investigate the level of attention given to the teaching and learning of African musical instruments against the Western musical instruments in the Department. The researcher adopts interview method as an instrument of investigation as well as other related sources with useful information. In the process, it was discovered that the development envisaged from the study and adequate application of African musical instruments in and outside the classroom performances suffer the greatest set back from both the teachers and the taught, whose attitudes towards the teaching and learning of indigenous musical instruments are that of negligence. The paper suggests that equal attention be given to the study of musical instruments in schools be it Western or African, and none should be preferred to the detriment of the other in student’s practical assessment in order to ensure even distribution of developmental abilities in musical arts education among students within the Department and Nigeria as a country.