Ambassel Musical Scale Historical Development, Practice, Change and Continuity; at Ambassel Wereda, Amhara National Region State, Ethiopia.

The purpose of the study is to explore Ambassel musical scale from Ambassel Wereda, South Wollo zone Amhara National Region state, Ethiopia. The objectives of the study are; studying the historical development, the practice, and the change and continuity of the Ambassel scale. This study clarifies the confusion about where Ambassel scale is originated and developed. The study follows a qualitative approach and descriptive research method in which the data is collected from primary and secondary data sources. The data is gathered from religious leaders, culture and truism burro professionals, local Azmaries, and selected individuals from the society. Purposive sampling and for some participants snow ball sampling methods are used. Data is recorded with field notes, audio, and video recordings and were analyzed in a descriptive manner. The study shows that the historical root of the Ambassel scale is linked from the work of St. Yared of Axum an Ethiopian Orthodox Church composer in the 6th century. The scale is highly practiced in the local communities of Ambassel wereda. The local communities play different locally original songs of Ambassel scale at different social occasions. Currently there is a change in the practice of Ambassel scales folk song traditional playing styles in the society. Globalization and modern musical practices affect the cultural music practices of the scale. The researcher concludes that currently the Ambassel scale becomes declined in the traditional practice of the society. The researchers suggest some recommendation points based on the research findings.