This is a practical course that is geared towards exposing students to have knowledge of the materials used in the construction of selected African and European musical instruments. The effect of atmospheric conditions: heat, temperature, humidity etc on construction materials.
Musical instruments are constructed in a broad array of styles and shapes, using many different materials. Early musical instruments were made from "found objects" such as shells and plant parts. As instruments evolved, so did the selection and quality of materials. Virtually every material in nature has been used by at least one culture to make musical instruments. One plays a musical instrument by interacting with it in some way—for example, by plucking the strings on a string instrument. For this course, we are going to look at the various instruments that make up the list of African and Western Instruments. Meanwhile, since this course is pure practical, we are going to concentrate on looking at the design, materials, construction/building and the tuning technique of African drum and the upright piano in our laboratory/workshop.
- Lecturer : thomas chiegwu