1.2 Key concepts and terminology in ethnomusicology

Ethnomusicology blends musicology and anthropology to study music in cultural contexts. It explores how culture shapes musical concepts, production, and reception across societies and time periods, from Gregorian chant to K-pop.

Key methods include fieldwork, transcription, and organology. Researchers balance emic (insider) and etic (outsider) perspectives, applying cultural relativism to understand diverse musical systems without judgment, from Tuvan throat singing to Brazilian samba.

Key Concepts in Ethnomusicology

Central concepts in ethnomusicology

Top images from around the web for Central concepts in ethnomusicology

• 

  "War of the Worlds: Music and Cosmology in Balinese Cremations" by Michael B. Bakan View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Chapter 8 - MUSIC 1300 - LibGuides Home at Brooklyn College Library View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Ethnomusicology | Cultural Anthropology View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  "War of the Worlds: Music and Cosmology in Balinese Cremations" by Michael B. Bakan View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Chapter 8 - MUSIC 1300 - LibGuides Home at Brooklyn College Library View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Central concepts in ethnomusicology

• 

  "War of the Worlds: Music and Cosmology in Balinese Cremations" by Michael B. Bakan View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Chapter 8 - MUSIC 1300 - LibGuides Home at Brooklyn College Library View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Ethnomusicology | Cultural Anthropology View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  "War of the Worlds: Music and Cosmology in Balinese Cremations" by Michael B. Bakan View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Chapter 8 - MUSIC 1300 - LibGuides Home at Brooklyn College Library View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Ethnomusicology investigates music within cultural contexts combining musicology and anthropology approaches (Western classical music, Indian raga)
• Music varies as culturally defined concept across societies and time periods (Gregorian chant, K-pop)
• Culture shapes musical production and reception through shared beliefs, values, and practices (Jamaican reggae, Japanese gagaku)
• Fieldwork immerses researchers in musical cultures for primary data collection (Balinese gamelan, African drumming)
• Transcription notates music from recordings or live performances challenges representing non-Western systems (Indian sargam, Aboriginal songlines)
• Organology examines musical instruments classification systems and cultural significance (Javanese gamelan, Andean panpipes)
• Performance practice encompasses conventions in musical performance includes improvisation and interpretation (Jazz scatting, Hindustani alap)

Emic vs etic approaches

• Emic approach adopts insider's perspective understands music from within culture uses native concepts (Navajo healing ceremonies, Sufi qawwali)
• Etic approach applies outsider's perspective external frameworks allows cross-cultural comparisons (Comparative study of modal systems, Global hip-hop)
• Complementary nature combines both approaches provides comprehensive understanding of musical cultures (Analyzing Brazilian samba, Chinese opera)

Cultural relativism in ethnomusicology

• Cultural relativism views cultural practices without judgment recognizes validity of diverse musical systems (Tuvan throat singing, Ghanaian highlife)
• Application avoids ethnocentrism in music analysis respects indigenous musical knowledge (Australian didgeridoo, Peruvian huayno)
• Challenges balance relativism with ethical considerations address power and representation in research (Appropriation of Native American music, Commercialization of world music)

Methods of ethnomusicological research

• Participant observation engages in musical activities balances participation and observation (Learning Balinese gamelan, Joining a Gospel choir)
• Interviews elicit emic perspectives on music and culture through structured or unstructured formats (Talking with griot storytellers, Interviewing jazz musicians)
• Audio and video recording documents performances considers ethical implications of sharing (Recording Polynesian hula, Filming Moroccan Gnawa rituals)
• Musical analysis examines structures scales rhythms within cultural context (Analyzing Indian tala, Caribbean calypso rhythms)
• Archival research utilizes historical recordings and documents complements contemporary fieldwork (Studying early field recordings, Analyzing musical notation systems)
• Collaborative approaches involve community members co-create knowledge with informants (Working with Aboriginal elders, Collaborating with Andean musicians)
• Digital ethnography uses online platforms studies virtual musical communities (Researching K-pop fan communities, Analyzing music sharing on social media)