Ebeli, E. (2013). AESTHETIC EXPERIENCE OF AFRICAN MUSIC ARTICULATED IN ⊃MPε MUSIC OF THE EFFUTU

Traditionally, the aesthetics of music is concentrated on the quality and study of the beauty and enjoyment of music. Through the writing of Kant, the ancient term aesthetics (sensory perception) received its present day connotation. The paper discusses the notion of aesthetic experience in an African context without overlooking the western concept of the beautiful and the sublime. The paper also suggests the utility of aesthetics in the classroom. The purpose of this paper is to explore the aesthetic experience in 4mpε as an analytical tool. It looks at the choices or preferences that are exercised by music makers and music users and the ideas behind them. Data for the study was collected using observations, oral interviews and informal interactions. The research question that directs the discussions in this paper is: how does the 4mpε music maker and user interpret the music in aesthetic terms. Findings indicate that the enjoyment and appreciation of music is conveyed diversely, and aesthetic experiences in music are tied to people’s values and tastes.