Beyond Kinematics: Exploring Periodicity and Figurative Patterns Elicited by Selected Ghanaian Musical Types

Abstract

This study sought to examine the nature of patterns produced in sand particles stirred by fifteen (15) Ghanaian musical compositions selected under the three broad musical genres: traditional, popular and Ghanaian art music. It explored sonic-related factors that influence the generation of specific patterns in sand particles and the extent to which musical super-impositions over sine waves at specific frequencies influence the shapes produced in fine particles. Three Ghanaian musical types as categorized by Agawu (1984) were selected. Employing random sampling principles, five songs were selected from a collection of twenty songs each based on the three musical types. The songs were fed into a constructed and tested cymatic device in turns. From the observation, and analysis that were done employing the VLC and the sonic visualizer software, it was realised that the patterns generated fundamentally, possessed qualities of Chladni figures, which was induced by a blend of frequencies and amplitudes. Furthermore, the figures created were largely related in features. The study revealed that apart from entertainment, sound impacts positively on humans through other means like cymatics which exposes its non-physical characteristics. In this way, the modern day music teacher is able to add up to the delivery skills which influence teaching and learning. The study captured series of frequencies and amplitudes, which produced the cymatic figures. These frequencies and amplitudes could be used to replicate the same cymatic figures by other persons. Thus, the provision of the frequencies and amplitudes means an enhancement in the teaching and learning of music in schools to expand the frontiers of music education.