Excursions in World Music [Paperback]

Bruno Nettl (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Extensively revised to maintain its contemporary edge, this dynamic introductory text takes students on a vivid exploration into the major musical cultures of the world by first presenting a lively vignette of a musical occasion, and then placing that occasion in the context of a general description of the society and musical culture. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

Key Benefit: This enlightening book takes readers on a vivid exploration into the major musical cultures of the world by first presenting a lively vignette of a musical occasion, and then placing that occasion in the context of a general description of the society and musical culture. Each chapter features a specific area of the world and each is written by a scholar who is a specialist in that particular geographical area. Key Topics: Divides the world into ten major culture areas, devoting a chapter to each. Chapter's first focus upon a detailed description of a musical event that broadly represents its culture area, then introduce the cultures and societies of the area; present a more synthetic treatment of musical life and ideas about music, musical style, music history, and musical instruments, and finally; describe additional musical genres or contexts. Written in a non-technical writing style that is ideal for readers unfamiliar with musical terminology - but offers enough detail to enable them to grasp the most important aspects involved in a particular musical culture. Covering older rural and classical musical traditions, as well as newer urban-popular forms within a given society, it helps readers understand each culture's ideas of what music is, what its powers are, how it relates to other aspects of life, and how it reflects important things about its people and their view of the world. Second Edition highlights include descriptive maps and a 500+ entries glossary. Market: For musicians and those interested in musical cultures of the world. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Prentice Hall College Div; 2nd edition (October 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 013740929X
• ISBN-13: 978-0137409297
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,392,107 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Excursion with a Great Tour Guide!, March 18, 2000

By 

earl jimenez (University of the Philippines) (Manila, Philippines) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Excursions in World Music (Textbook Binding)

I first came across this book when still a student taking an introductory course in asian music cultures. It was and is still is a great read especially for students who are non-musicology majors and have a tendency to get lsot in more technical books. The language, style, presentation and discussion is simple and interestingly handled. Not too scholarly as to be overwhelming. Great background on the socio-cultural context of the music.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not horrible for an introductory textbook for world music, April 21, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Excursions in World Music (Textbook Binding)

I am currently a teaching assistant for a class which uses this textbook. Comparatively, this is probably one of the better introductory textbooks for students who are not necessarily musically inclined, such as the class I work with. There is not a great deal of technical music jargon and it provides some decent contextualizations. However, some chapters are lacking in information and can be quite a dull read for students, such as the chapter on Japanese music. And at times authors give too much in the way of personal "fieldwork" anecdotes instead of covering other areas or possible issues. The third edition came out not too recently, but from what I can tell, contains almost the exact same information as the second.