Song Acquisition among Rural Shona-Speaking Zimbabwean Children from Birth to 7 Years

Abstract

This study is an analysis of samples of one years vocal productions of 92 children between birth and age 7 in the Nharira Communal Lands of Zimbabwe to determine at what stage and to what degree children's melodic efforts resembled adult song prototypes. Results indicate a common sequence of song acquisition that parallels the age-related phases observed in children of other cultures. Milestones were the use of characteristic tune segments and musical conventions at 3 years; ability to sing independently with larger ranges and forward motion at age 4; marked improvement of pitch precision at age 5; and tonal consistency throughout a song at 5.5 years. Few differences emerged in cognitive capacities between Nharira children and those in Western studies. Perhaps because of the importance of personal music-making in the environment, a dramatic difference appeared in singing accuracy. Nharira children produced more correct contours, intervals, and stable phrase endings than comparable children in the United States.