The Music Industry in Ethiopia
The music of Ethiopia uses a fundamental modal system called qenet, of which there are four main modes: tezeta, bati, ambassel, and anchihoye.
Three additional modes are variations on the above: tezeta minor, bati major, and bati minor.
Some songs take the name of their qenet, such as tizita, a song of reminiscence. When played on traditional instruments, these modes are generally not tempered (that is, the pitches may deviate slightly from the Western-tempered tuning system), but when played on Western instruments such as pianos and guitars, they are played using the Western-tempered tuning system.
Ethiopian music may be the most peculiar and mysterious tradition among African musical cultures.
Ethiopian music may be the most peculiar and mysterious tradition among African musical cultures. From the 1960s onwards, it has been modernized in remarkable ways.
Music in the Ethiopian highlands is generally monophonic or hetero phonic. In certain southern areas, some music is polyphonic. Dorze polyphonic singing (edho) may employ up to five parts; Majangir, four parts.
The ethiopian music industry wouldn’t be where it is today if it wasn’t for the likes of;
Mahmoud Ahmed, Alèmayèhu Eshèté, Mulatu Astatke, Aster Aweke, Tlahoun Gèssèssè, etc…..
These are some of the many artists that set the foundation for today’s ethiopian music industry.
These are some of the many artists that set the foundation for today’s ethiopian music industry.
