Ulezo: Mapping Acoustic Properties to Timbre Descriptors in Zambian Luvale Drum Tuning
Ulezo: Mapping Acoustic Properties to Timbre Descriptors in Zambian Luvale Drum Tuning
Jason Winikoff (UBC) & Lena Heng (McGill)
March 15th, 2023
ABSTRACT:
Amongst Luvale communities in Zambia, drummers tune their instruments by applying ulezo (tuning paste) and heat. In addition to adjusting pitch, this two-step process dramatically impacts timbre (Ferreira 2013; McAdams 2019; Toulson 2021). The purposes of this project are to (1) explore the timbral effects of tuning by analyzing audio descriptors generated in the Timbre Toolbox (Kazazis et al., 2021) and (2) map these acoustic descriptors onto Luvale timbre descriptors. A data set of individual notes was obtained from field recordings of multiple dance troupes at various stages of the tuning process. We will first analyze these sounds for their temporal, spectral, and spectrotemporal descriptors, and then perform a sparse Partial Least Squares discriminant analysis (Lê Cao et al., 2008, 2009, 2011) to determine the appropriate acoustic descriptors that may significantly affect the tuning process. Upon completion of statistical analysis, we will propose the acoustic stimuli that inform perception of Luvale descriptors gathered through participant-observation and ethnographic interviews. Numerous ethnomusicological and acoustical studies have been dedicated to the effects and manufacturing of tuning paste on drums in Myanmar pat wain (Bader 2016), Japanese nagado daiko (Suzuki and Miyamoto 2012), Western popular genres (Worland and Miyahira 2019), and various Indian traditions (Beronja 2008; Gopal 2004; Rama Murthy and Rao 2001; Raman and Kumar 1920; Raman 1922, 1934; Roda 2015; Sathej and Adhikari 2009). These studies, however, are usually only concerned with overtone harmonicity and decay and lack commentary on emic perception. Our project is thus unique in its wide consideration of timbral qualia, inclusion of local descriptors, and attention to overlooked musical cultures. The proposed study is an interdisciplinary meshing of statistical acoustic analysis and ethnomusicology. As such, we believe it will be of interest to scholars of Luvale culture, timbre semantics, sonic perception, African music theorists, and ethnomusicologists alike.
