Customer Reviews

The Study of Ethnomusicology: THIRTY-ONE ISSUES AND CONCEPTS

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Purchased this book (first edition) as part of a course on French music in Louisiana. I do not have a background in musicology, but decided to go back and read this book in its entirety because I'm interested in anthropology.

What this book isn't: if you're looking to read about variety of the musics of the world, this book does not contain many examples. This is not a music appreciation work or a "world music" volume.

What this book is: Nettl catches the reader up to date on the history of the academic endeavor of ethnomusicology and the issues it involves, prepares the reader for further academic research in the subject matter. Nettl is critical and self-reflective of his field and at the same time explains what it might be able to offer humanity. His writing about ethnography and research methods in anthropology towards the end of the book were very interesting and challenging to one's presuppositions; Nettl answers to those who ask whether one even has the right to study music outside one's own culture and advises on how we can avoid harming others with our curiosity.

Parts three and four were much more interesting to me, being more interested in anthropology at large and less so in musicology.

Overall recommend this book to those interested in musicology, ethnography, anthopology, sociology. Would not recommend this book to someone who wants to learn interesting facts about various musics of the world.

I found it an excellent introduction into the field of ethno-musicology, that has somehow turned from a "also-to-be-considered" outsider in musicology to a pace-maker in a diversified musical world of internet and globalization. Nettl is, it seems to me, deeply rooted in an old European philological tradition nevertheless, that positions its subject within the frame of the "masters" of musicology and ethno-musicology alike and stands apart from a lot of word-rich "cultural studies" blabla that is extensively published (less read, I suppose ?!) today. A great book !

This book provides a wealth of information about ethnomusicology's history, central questions, its approach to an ever-changing (musical) world, and its role in academia. Bruno Nettl presents the facts about ethnomusicology -based on his own experience and past/present literature- in a non-bias manner, and he leaves it up to the reader to draw his/her own conclusions and questions. the author's written style is simple, engaging, and, while it has a somewhat academic feel to it, it invites the reader to participate in the "discussion." Without a doubt, this book is a must-read for anybody, especially for those who wish to better understand the field of ethnomusicology, its past, its present, its future, and the role that it plays in the study of Western and non-Western musics.

Definitely one of the classics, and either required reading or HIGHLY recommended reading for every Ethnomusicology program out there. Contains 31 chapters, each focusing on a different aspect of Ethnomusicology or issue they'd face on the field. I'd definitely recommend for anyone interested in finding out what Ethnomusicology is all about, whether for the first time, or as an intro to a larger focus.