Take a moment to reflect on what you learned in your early years in school. You would probably remember foremost the lessons your teachers reinforced with music and chants. A for Apple, B for Ball, C for Cat… or Mary had a little lamb, little lamb … or, any other song or class activity related to music. Even for day-to-day living, memories of special moments serenaded with music stir up nostalgic feelings when we hear the same tune, whether in passing or in a deliberate attempt to play it.

Because of the deep connection of music to the limbic system - that part of the brain involved in a person’s behavioral and emotional responses - we can easily recollect memories, lessons, or moments connected to music.

Music has an incredible ability to transport us to different moments in the past, evoke emotions, and ignite our imagination. Considering the impact of music, when it’s combined with storytelling, the learning potential becomes even more profound.

At its center, storytelling in music involves weaving a narrative through melody, lyrics, and rhythm. Whether it's a traditional village square performance, a folk ballad, or a modern pop song, music has the power to communicate messages, convey emotions, preserve information, and impart knowledge. By incorporating a story into a musical composition, educators and artists can create a powerful medium for learning for children.

Imagine if figures and facts are presented in the form of a story set to music, it changes the pupils’ perceptions of numeracy, science, history, and any other subject as a difficult subject because they can easily recollect them with a tune. The melody acts as a mnemonic device, making it easier for the brain to retain and recall information.

Also, looking at the diverse African cultural landscape of 3,000 different ethnic groups speaking more than 2,100 different languages, how better can languages, history, and culture be preserved if not with music and writing? Music has been and remains a window into the culture and history of a people. Traditional songs often convey stories of heritage, struggles, and triumphs of the people.

Storytelling in music is also a time capsule that preserves the essence of an era. By exploring music with stories from different periods, pupils can gain insights into the social, political, and cultural contexts of those times. For example, the Chimurenga, a Zimbabwean music genre sung in Shona, delivers messages of social and political protest. Another is Taraab, a Tanzanian music genre sung in Swahili and is described as a mockery of British military bands.

With the help of their class teachers or instructors, pupils with their class instructors can create their songs and tell stories based on the subject being taught. More, wouldn't it be better if the pupils were enabled to create their pieces during their personal study time? But how can they be if they are not taught or guided?

At the African Music Library, our singular mission is to teach children music education for free through our African music education initiative called Foster. Foster is committed to helping children from disadvantaged communities in government-owned and low-income neighborhood schools realize and harness their creative potential.

You can support Foster by reaching out to us by filling this form or register as a volunteer here.

Storytelling in Music: A powerful tool in learning blog post banner

Storytelling in Music: A powerful tool in learning

Storytelling in Music: A powerful tool in learning blog post banner

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