How Musical is Man? (John Danz Lectures) [Paperback]

John Blacking (Author), J. Blacking (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 116 pages
• Publisher: University of Washington Press (February 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0295953381
• ISBN-13: 978-0295953380
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #642,261 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A small yet very powerful, provocative book, June 26, 2005

By 

M. Levitt - classical music buff (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How Musical is Man? (John Danz Lectures) (Paperback)

John Blacking was an ethnomusicologist who spent two years living with, and studying the Venda, a tribe in South Africa. As opposed to Western classical music where the few (professional concert musicians) are revered by the many, and only a handful are regarded as "talented" while most believe they have no "talent," with the Venda, everyone is expected to be able to perform; no one is excluded. Music is their religion.

In the first chapter of his small yet very powerful book, Blacking writes that when he began to live with and study the Venda, he believed that music began and ended with Western classical music, but, that after two years of living and studying the Venda and their music, he no longer understood Western music. Put differently, his experience living with and studying the Venda forced him to question all prior beliefs he had both about Western music and assumptions underlying them. The Venda taught him that all people have talent or musical ability. It is only Western values or myths that create hierarchies of talent and ability. And that these underlying Western values and myths subjugate countless people, causing them to dismiss key aspects of their inherent human potential, because of widespread belief that it is pointless to pursue musical ambitions only a fortunate few possess, but most do not.

Blacking's book is important not only as an ethnomusicological study, but has, I think, universal application because its underlying theses directly question Western assumptions and myths that adversely affect people regardless of musical preference. The book forces one to think, to challenge values one might previously have taken for granted.

I have recommended John Blacking's How Musical is Man? to friends who thought themselves totally bereft of any musical ability or talent, who were highly reluctant to attempt anything musical.

Though the book has musical examples, it can be read and appreciated by those with absolutely no ability to read or play music.

Highly recommended.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars best intro to ethnomusicology, May 7, 2001

By 

William Benzon (Jersey City, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How Musical is Man? (John Danz Lectures) (Paperback)

This slim volume may be the be best single introduction to ethnomusicology we have. It is based on Blacking's fieldwork among the Venda, an agricultural people living in the African Transvaal. Blacking provides extensive musical examples and photographs covering children's music, ritual, spiritual possession, the musical calendar, etc. Unlike Westerners, who believe that only a few people are musical, the Venda believe that all people are musical and so all members of their culture actively make music.

3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must read it., May 5, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: How Musical is Man? (John Danz Lectures) (Paperback)

I think all the people should read this book if not for anything else then to learn how to appreciate different musical styles and cultures. Every ethnomusicologists must.