The Director of Communications and Special Projects at the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), Ahuma Bosco Ocansey, popularly known as Daddy Bosco, has attributed the timeless appeal of older music to the deep understanding of music theory possessed by veteran artistes.
Speaking on The Chat, Daddy Bosco emphasized that legendary musicians had a strong grasp of musical principles, allowing them to create compositions with depth and lasting impact.
He pointed out that bands like Osibisa successfully blended various musical influences into their sound due to their solid foundation in music theory.
“It was a combination of many factors, but one thing that stands out for me is that they knew their theory very well. As the saying goes, if you know the rules, you don’t just break or bend them—you master them. Teddy Osei, for instance, received a scholarship from Nkrumah to study music in the UK.
That speaks volumes about his musical knowledge. He wasn’t just a performer; he was a scholar who brought academic depth into his compositions.
“Someone might play a simple chord, but these musicians knew how to enhance it. When you listen to Osibisa’s music, you hear a fusion of different influences, all made possible by their understanding of musical theory,” he explained.
MUSIGA President Bessa Simons echoed similar thoughts, stressing the importance of music education in the past.
“In those days, you had to learn the rudiments of music, and every child was exposed to them. If you decided to pursue music, you already had melodies in your head, so monotony wasn’t an option. We also learned songs in school, which gave us a strong foundation before diving into music professionally,” he added.
Story by Obaapa Janee/ahotoronline.com
