Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Medindia
Advertisement

Listening to Nigerian Music Can Help You Pick a Ripe Watermelon

by Adeline Dorcas on May 14, 2019 at 7:35 PM
Listening to Nigerian Music Can Help You Pick a Ripe Watermelon

Traditional Nigerian music can help you choose a ripe watermelon. So, hurry up, start tapping to find out perfect, juicy watermelon.

The quickest way to decide if a watermelon is ripe or not is by tapping on it. And if you're having trouble detecting the subtleties of the sound, listen to some Nigerian traditional music to get your ears attuned, says an international group of physics and music researchers.

Advertisement


Nigerian researcher Stephen Onwubiko has found a link between the sounds of drumming in traditional Nigerian music and the sound of fingers drumming on watermelons in the markets.

Onwubiko, a classically trained vocalist and researcher on African musical acoustics, has teamed up with physicist Tracianne Neilsen, from Brigham Young University in Utah and music researcher Andrea Calilhanna from the University of Sydney in Australia to quantify the watermelon-drumming phenomenon. Neilsen will present the findings at the 177th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America, at the Galt House in Louisville, Kentucky.
Advertisement

"Most people don't have much idea about the noises around them or how they affect them," Onwubiko said. "Everyday experiences, even decision-making, are influenced by the sounds around us."

Onwubiko is working with watermelon sellers and consumers in Nigeria about their perceptions of the sounds, a field known as psychoacoustics, while Neilsen is analyzing the frequency spectrum of the traditional drum, the igba. Calilhanna is working with a mathematical approach to music theory to quantify these sounds.

The team proposes that the ingredients of traditional Nigerian music -- pitch and rhythms with shifted accents, nonaccented rhythms, and syncopations -- are the perfect ear-training for watermelon identification.

"The sounds of ripe and unripe watermelons are heard in traditional music. An African drum pattern is made from the same two sounds," said Neilsen.

An igba is cylindrical in shape and is between 70 and 75 centimeters long.

The pitch-pattern analysis can be used to measure, determine and correlate the internal ripeness and quality of watermelon with a pitch from a Nigerian drum. This method allows identification at a 60 percent level of efficiency.

Sounds are an integral part of the culture, pointed out Calilhanna.

"People do not realize the amount of important information that is conveyed in the sound around us and how these sounds impact cultures. In order to preserve cultures, we need to analyze traditional sounds and their impact on everyday life experiences."

Source: Eurekalert
Font : A-A+

Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Recommended Readings

Latest Diet & Nutrition News

Swap Pulses For Protein & Grains for a Nutritious American Diet
The nutritional profile of American diet can be significantly improved by substituting small amounts of pulses for refined grains and common protein sources.
Limiting Obesity-Linked Isoleucine in Diet Promotes Healthy Aging
Lowering the intake of isoleucine in diet can extend lifespan, promote a slim body, anti-aging properties, and reduce cancer and prostate health issues.
Expert Guidance on Thanksgiving Leftovers
Keep Thanksgiving leftovers safe: Refrigerate promptly, use airtight containers, label and date, and reheat properly.
How Nutrition Overcomes Anxiety, Depression & Diabetes?
Poor nutrition raises the risk of type 2 diabetes, and mental issues like anxiety and depression. Nutrition interventions aid in managing these health issues.
Micronutrient Deficiencies as a Silent Driver of Global Antibiotic Resistance
Micronutrient deficiencies may play a crucial role in the worldwide surge of antibiotic resistance.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
×

Listening to Nigerian Music Can Help You Pick a Ripe Watermelon Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests