Taiwan.gig? Investigating the Digitization of Indigenous Music–A Study of the Amis Kakeng Musical Group

• Main Authors: Tsung-Han Hsieh, 謝宗翰
• Other Authors: Yuh-jen Lu
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2008
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/a4uph3

碩士 === 國立東華大學 === 民族藝術研究所 === 96 === This study investigates how digitalizing indigenous music will affect and effect a tribal culture during the process. While focusing on “Amis Kakeng (Indigenous) Musical Group,” this research derives from an absence of Taiwanese music within the TASCAM’s “Sample Library of Its Kind” database. To complete this lack, the researcher pursued a literature review and found out that musicological and anthropological studies of “aboriginal” music used to concentrate on tasks of reservation or education, whereas this study has placed much stress on how to activate the sampled musical elements. By means of field work, sound-sampling from traditional indigenous music instruments and software, this study also involves designs of musical scores and digital education. In addition, I have re-created a symphonic version of “A Happy Day” and “Imagination of Island” through a sound-mix process; while constructing a sample library for the “Amis Kakeng Musical Group.” Apparently, digitization has contributed to break through the original restrictions of Amis musical instruments and treasuring its traditional music. Given that digitization makes music composition much easier and convenient, the possibility of music self-learning and popularity towards indigenous music becomes increasing. However, the study concerns that this process may cause problems of degeneracy in musical playing skills, of breakup traditional tribal ethics, and/or of diluting the indigenous musical features, if we over rely on digital technique. Since digitization may have impacts on the construction of local knowledge, tribal people must possess the digitization technique in order to minimize cultural disintegration. In conclusion, digitizing music is not just a kind of technique, but also has potential to cultural presentation and representation.