Adungu
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The Adungu, also called the Endongo or Ennanga or Bow harp in English, is a
The musical form commonly known as adungu music today, is tuned to the diatonic major scale of classic European music and bears the influence of the British presence in Uganda.[3] Traditionally the Adungu is tuned to a pentatonic scale within both the Acholi and Alur cultures. The a'dungu may be played alone, in an ensemble, or as vocal accompaniment. The instrument appears in various sizes that can be loosely categorized into soprano, alto, tenor, and bass.[citation needed]
A'dungus are often played in quartets or quintets. The strings of the bass a'dungu are tuned only to the pitches of the
Tuning is not standardized, and players will usually tune by ear to each other shortly before a performance. The a'dungus are not in a particular key, and the tonality can be adapted to the preferences of the performers.[citation needed]
The a'dungu is generally not used melodically, and instead outlines chords. Generally, a single note is played at a time on the bass and tenor instruments, while the alto and soprano a'dungus are used to play triads. In performance, complex arpeggiation gives simple tonal chord progressions an energetic, sometimes syncopated rhythmic drive.
Modern performers adept with the adungu include the native Ugandan musician James Makubuya[4][5] and the American artist Crystal Bright.[6]
References
- ^ "Acholi musical instruments (1998.203.1.29.2) from the Southern Sudan Project".
- ^ Klabunde, Martin (2011). Learn to Play the Adungu!: Bow Harp from Northern Uganda. Seattle: CreateSpace. ISBN 978-1463558581.
- ^ ISBN 978-9970251353. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
- ^ "Pop and Jazz Guide". The New York Times. 27 February 2004. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
- ^ Kozinn, Allan (8 April 2006). "Wu Man, a Pipa Player in Search of the Common Chord". The New York Times. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
- ^ Mellor, JG (2012). "Crystal Bright and The Silver Hands announce new album". Shufflemag.com. Shuffle Magazine. Archived from the original on 2012-10-27. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
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