There are numerous forms of Ethiopian music, but the most prevalent is distinguished by a pentatonic mode and unusually large note gaps. The basic modes of Ethiopian Highlands music, which is built on the qenet modal system, are tezeta, bati, ambassel, and anchihoy. Tezeta minor, Bati major, and Bati minor are three more modes, in addition to the aforementioned. Song titles can be generated from qenets, like in the instance of tizita, a memory song. These modes are frequently not tempered in traditional instruments (i.e., the pitches may deviate significantly from the Western-tempered tuning system), although they are tempered when played on Western instruments such as pianos and guitars. Except for a small percentage, Ethiopian highland music is either monophonic or heterophonic. Polyphonic music can be heard in numerous locations throughout the South. Dorze polyphonic singing (edho) can, on the other hand, have up to five parts. Folk music has a long history in Ethiopia. Although most individuals play, record, and listen to popular music, most performers also sing classic compositions that they prefer. Arba Lijoch, a brass band established by 40 Armenian orphans transferred to Ethiopia from Jerusalem during Haile Selassie’s reign, became a prominent Ethiopian musical institution. When this band arrived in Addis Ababa on September 6, 1924, it became Ethiopia’s first official orchestra. Large orchestras accompanied concerts in the final months of WWII, with the Army Band, Police Band, and Imperial Bodyguard Band among the most well-known.
