Kasaman
Elder Lister
He died last week,at his home mucatha. How many Kenyan know him !
Where did we go wrong as Kenyan musicians?
- Thread starter JazzMan
- Start date
JazzMan
Elder Lister
Yes, at the moment, getting an instrument is very easy, but that is just the beginning of tje journey. The next is finding the correct material to practice and play.
I've had the privilege of travelling to a few towns across the country, as well as work with some of these musicians who work in Nairobi clubs and events. There is a serious gulf, not just in education, but exposure.
Music education is expensive and most Kenyans don't even take it as something worth investing in, so most of what these schools teach is quite shallow when it comes to theory. They focus mostly on practical skills. The school that offers all round education is the Conservatoire of Music at KNT, but they mostly stick to british ABRSM education while neglecting African music (I was there). Same for KU.
As a result, many musicians are self taught, especially those playing local genres. What they learn will be a product of their environment. One place I went to is Nunguni in Makueni and those guys could twanga that Kamba music effortless, but when it came time to sound more western, they failed. I can't fault them. I'd rather have it that way.
On the other hand here in Nairobi, a musician would play and sing Kenny Rodger's repertoire inside and out but ask them to play something by Mzee Ngala, they simply don't know the songs.
I wouldn't expect a rock musician to play jazz and vice versa, but at least they acknowledge those genres exist. Here in Kenya, especially with gigging musicians in Nairobi, most practice and play western music, yet they are the ones with the most access to resources in comparison to someone from Mundika in Busia.
There is no effort to record, transcribe and teach the myriad of music styles such as Benga or Mugithi to the newer generations, especially those far removed from the centres of popularity. This is how a lot of music by the likes of akina Dola Kabari has disappeared from the nation.
JazzMan
Elder Lister
On the performance and management part, people are making investments in millions. The theory and composition part is where we are still lagging. Trying to communicate ideas, especially between people with different musical backgrounds is where the problem still is.
Liberty
Elder Lister
You are young
JazzMan
Elder Lister
It's Me Scumbag
Elder Lister
The folly of youth! Youth is fleeting my friend. Tomorrow you will be the ones wishing for music of your youth. And you know what,another young in will tell to STFU...Coz you ain't the target audience!
Take that to @uwesmake He will happily give you a top up loan!
Abba
Elder Lister
Yes to neutralize animosities between communities. Having one song ya pokot na turkana can be interesting
MbitikaZetu
Elder Lister
There is still good Benga music being produced by our Kenyan artist madhinani. The problem is that our national TV and radio does not promote it. You can listen to good Kenyan music if you time to vernacular stations eg Kass TV, Inooro, Ramogi etc
Clemens
Elder Lister
In mucatha I only know of wangamangu.
Kasaman
Elder Lister
True, the late Mbue was a cancellor on time .He is the original composer of " Rekia wachuka " Kwake ni mucatha ngùrwe,unaingilia kwa shule
Denis Young
Elder Lister
The moment you come to terms with this same statement the better it will be for you. If we had it your way we would be playing 'Utawezana' on a gramophone.
It is fine to be nostalgic once in a while but reveling in it is a disease. Move on chief.
MkukiMoto
Elder Lister
@Denis Young, who do you think most of the +3000 calls & text msgs are from ? Those who have been hunting yule kashana Aziza of TikTok Challenge Utawezana ? Ni Wazee na senators looking to be maSponsors ! Na sio mambo ya gramophone era !
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Clemens
Elder Lister
I know that song 'wacuka ni darling wakwa'.
Denis Young
Elder Lister
Walikuwa wanataka kumpeleka those dimly lit clubs with oversize waitresses and wearing crow nests on their heads so they can sing and sway to mugithi...we know them.
MkukiMoto
Elder Lister
Walikuwa wanataka kumpeleka those dimly lit clubs with oversize waitresses and wearing crow nests on their heads so they can sing and sway to mugithi...we know them.
Duke of Busia
Elder Lister
Guys I've always had this lingering thought in my head to start a YouTube channel that will cover only original music compositions from allover the globe.
I got inspired after watching a you tuber muzungu who used a background track for his vlog and later Gor massive requests to do an episode on the whereabouts of the real artist that did the original song but he could find some guy that even couldn't show a picture of the original composer
I got inspired after watching a you tuber muzungu who used a background track for his vlog and later Gor massive requests to do an episode on the whereabouts of the real artist that did the original song but he could find some guy that even couldn't show a picture of the original composer
MkukiMoto
Elder Lister
It would be a labour of love. So go for it Duke of Busia-shire.. just take the first step... to begin implementing your plan.