MAORI ACTION SONGS

Te Ao Hou, June 1961, Page 55

MAORI ACTION SONGS By Alan Armstrong and Reupena Ngata. (A. H. & A. W. Reed, Publishers. Price 12/6) Reviewed by Horowai Ngarimu Maori Action Songs by Alan Armstrong and Reupena Ngata has made its appearance at a time when New Zealanders are showing an increasing interest in Maori culture. The work is an honest attempt to bring the Action Song within reach of the average person who has little knowledge of Maori culture, but who has a desire to learn. With words and musical notation, diagrams and explanatory notes, the student has an opportunity to learn by following the instructions set out in the book. However, one would need to familiarise oneself with the key, before learning a single action song, otherwise confusion will result. A learner could easily become frustrated if he has to continually turn pages to find out the correct action, as the key extends from page 11 to page 19. Two people working together would be likely to meet more success in learning these action songs, than one person who has to co-ordinate all movements, while simultaneously reading instructions and concentrating on words and music. The liberal use of diagrams is a help, as visual aids can so often achieve more than the written words. Although the subject matter is not easy to explain, the compilers of this work have achieved something of value. This is important in view of the desirability of stimulating interest in Maori culture as part of the New Zealand way of life. Mr Armstrong and Mr Ngata have included a concert programme with hints on production, and it is both practical and impressive. This has obviously been drawn from first hand experience. The Glossary provides interesting material for the student of Maori culture. One is aware of the real effort that has been made in attempting to record and comment on a difficult subject. To those who are interested in Maori culture, Maori Action Songs is well worth studying, and the authors have made an important contribution towards satisfying the need on this subject. It is hoped that this publication will inspire more Maoris to follow this example and set down in book form their favourite action songs from their own tribal areas.