Expand your world view

received the much-required publicity.
James Duguid Library, which is found at the Zimbabwe College of Music, contains comprehensive sheet music, collection encompassing all periods of Western music from the 19th-20th century, as well as methodological and ethnomusicological study literature.
The library is open to the public and acts as an educational and recreational centre and this can be envisaged by the variety of the Collection Development available for use.
The collections include books, research projects, newspaper cuttings/clipping with music and cultural related articles, sheet/score music, audio visual material that includes compact discs, digital versatile discs, audio and visual cassettes.
The library is the nerve centre of the Music College as it provides educational and recreational facilities for both students and outside researchers.
There are several challenges, which modern musicians face due to lack of information related to music and the library acts as a filler to the existing knowledge gaps.
The range of material currently hosted by the library has the ability to transform the current scenario where musicians seem to be falling over each regarding same musical styles and compositions particularly sungura genre.
This can be transformed through the use of musical textbooks with instruction and study on how different chords may be improvised on musical instruments which a particular group or band might be used.
The aims of the library are as follows:
(1) Education
(2) The provision of information
(3) Recreation
(4) Preservation (repository)
(5) Aesthetic appreciation
(6) Promotion of culture and art appreciation
Among the materials and books in the library are those of Professor Fred Zindi. From his collection, two particular books that caught my attention were “The Pop Music Work Book”, “Zimbabwe versus the World” and the “Music Guide for Zimbabwe”, which is a 2010 publication.
In his books Prof Zindi gives a rich historical background to music development in Zimbabwe which is important to know for all music lovers and musicians.
An interesting feature in one of his books on the subject of the history of music are the urban groovers, how they came about what makes them tick and many other bands that ever came about.
He deals with issues that artists face up with everyday in the industry such as contracts, performance and management, piracy, copyrights and the general knowledge that can equip one to deal with the dynamics of the industry.
Do you want to know about Devera Ngwena, Bhundu Boys and all the names that make up the music puzzle from yesteryear to the present then go to the library and read for yourself.
What defines the music genre that you like or perform where did it start, what was the motivation and mission of the founders of the style. What type of chords best bring out the style.
Do you know about beats, counts, bars, time signatures, dynamics, etc?
In order to improve on your skills of composition and performance take time to read and understudy other composers and performers. Your lifespan in the business is determined by your passion to develop your knowledge base about the art.
I believe that an artiste has the ability to transform their style.
The music library is packed with information and recorded materials that can revolutionalise one to embrace changes that can keep one relevant.
When you travel to other nations to perform you automatically become an ambassador and so you must be ready to represent your nation by providing relevant information that demonstrate an appreciation of your culture, knowledge of the music industry, and general understanding of the music language.
Develop a general knowledge of Zimbabwean music. If you want to know about the evolution of popular music, chimurenga music, and popular music in the 1980s read the book by Claire Jones “Making Music, Musical Instruments in Zimbabwe Past and Present”.
Another interesting book is “Songs That Won The Liberation Struggle” compiled by J. C. Pongweni.
The book covers the role of music in a people’s culture, the structure of traditional songs, the theme of traditional political songs.
l Richard Kohola is a music critic and development expert. He can be contacted on the following number 0772 382 871 or email [email protected]