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Ongoing research in African Music:
Theory, Culture Development, Creative Ethno-musicology
Resource and reference material for Scholars, Educators, Composers and Students in African Music.
Link: University of Ghana, Faculty of Arts, Music Department
Atenteben
Historically, the name Atenteben emerged from the word ATENTE.
Atente were musical instruments used by the Kwahu traditional people in Ghana.
One may also find the Atenteben in certain areas of the Ashanti Kingdom. Atenteben
is one of the commonest flutes found all over the world especially in academic
institutions. While they used in popular musical forms such as highlife, reggae,
jazz or rock'n'roll, they are equally found in serious musical forms such
as symphonies, quartets and small orchestras. In Ghana, the Atenteben forms
part of the musical repertoire of many schools, colleges and universities
musical ensemble.
Atenteben flute is made of solid bamboo and may appear in the
key of Bb, D, F and C. It measures
about fifteen inches in length. While those in Bb key are called ATENTEBEN-NA,
those in C key are called ATENTEBEN-NANA. Literally, they appear as a family,
namely Bb- mother, C-son, and C-grandson.
The Ghanaian Atentenben can play several scales including- tritonic,
hexatonic, pentatonic and heptatonic. To get a soft pleasant tone, a small
amount of water is pored into the instrument through the resonating hole before
using the instrument. The water stays in the instrument for a while and drains
through the lower end.
