Effects of using contemporary instruments on the performance of Buganda music

Abstract

Traditional music has been influenced both positively and negatively by contemporary musical instruments all around the world. For example, new equipment and technology employed by today's performers have an impact on the tone, harmonies, and rhythmic sonics of songs. Basing on this, the researcher carried out a study to address the effects of using contemporary instruments on the performance of Buganda music. Specifically, the study was set out to find out the types of modern musical instruments used in Buganda traditional performances, the different musical aspects of Buganda music that are played on modern musical instruments, and reasons why folk music performance is evolutionary changing. The study employed a qualitative approach to gather individual responses based on the perceptions of the study participants. The target study population were members and directors of two popular music groups (n = 06) in Msetonation and Baxmba Waves Band. This research used employed interviews, library research, photography and audio recordings to gather information. Data were collected from five male participants and the results were presented in form of tables, graphs, and written paragraphs. Results showed that the most modern musical instruments used in performance of Buganda music include guitars, pianos or keyboards, clarinets, trumpets, cornets, flutes, and saxophones. It was also revealed that folk music is evolutionary changing as a result of new sounds being created and hence new audiences. Results also showed that the incorporation of contemporary musical instruments in Buganda music performance inspired new grooves that appeal to wider audiences. Results are discussed in terms of implications of modern instruments and technology in performance of folk music. It was recommended that a similar study on the effects of using contemporary instruments on the performance of Buganda music should be carried out in order to expand on the existing literature