Ogene

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Ogene as a musical instrument#

The Ogene type of bell is commonly used as a “master instrument” in a bell orchestra in Igboland. It is an instrument of the struck idiophone class and is made of iron by specialist blacksmiths. The bell has a flattish, conical shape and is hollow inside. The sound comes from the vibration of the iron body when struck, which is made to resound by the hollow inside the bell. The iron body is usually struck with a soft wooden stick. The different parts of the Ogene, like the larger double bell and breast pair, produce musical intervals of a major third and a major second. A technique known as strike-muting is commonly used. This type of ogene instrument is made into a single bell. They come in various shapes and sizes and are sometimes arranged in a chimes-like rack which is referred to as Ogene-phone. Ogene N kpim bo (Double metal gong) This type of ogene instrument is double-belled and can also come in different shapes and sizes. Ogene Nne Na Nwa (Mother and child gong) This variation of the ogene instrument features a double bell accompanied by an additional set of small bells attached to the curved handle. This secondary set is referred to as the ala (breasts) or nwa akwo n’azu (a child carried on the back), the latter term evoking the imagery of a nursing mother. Ogene Nkpi-ito (Triple gong) This ogene instrument is simply a triple-shaped gong. Ogene Nkpi-ino (Quadruple gong) Alo (largest of the metal gongs) Alo is the largest of the ogene gongs. The shapes of alo vary but can reach up to 6 ft. The Alo instruments are typically single, though in exceedingly rare instances a double alo might be encountered.

OG on Music Theory Print

Ogene

Ogene as a musical instrument#