The fuging technique on arrangement and adaptation of selected Luhya Folk Songs

Abstract

This study aimed at establishing the suitability of using the Western Fugal Techniques in arranging traditional luhyia folk songs/ tunes. The study involved carrying out interviews with composers/ arrangers to establish their background in music and their approach to arrangement of luhyia tunes. A total of twenty arrangers were interviewed. The researcher also recorded and transcribed eight short Luhyia folk tunes and analysed seven arrangements of luhyia folk tunes by selected Kenyan musicians. The findings of the study indicated that the use of Western techniques, in the case of this study, a fugue, on arrangement of African tunes distorted them. This therefore pointed the need for establishing original African Contrapuntal Techniques that can be used in arranging the Luhyia traditional folk tunes to help avert the misconstructions brought about by entirely using the Western Fugal Techniques.