Today is ethnomusicology day (cheers, applause). What is ethomusicology? Well let’s start with just musicology. What is musicology? Everybody knows when you put an ology on the end of something it mean “the study of.” So musicology would be the study of music. Then ethnomusicology would be . . . come on . . . I can hear the gears turning. . . right! Ethnomusicology is the study of music of a specific culture. We talked Saturday about how music is not a universal language, how it is expressed different ways and interpreted in different ways depending where you are. So the question last time was what does it mean for me as a musician who is about to travel the world? Ethnomusicology. Every place we go (Mexic0, Guatemala, Peru . . . Cambodia . . . Jupiter), we should be studying the music of the culture? Where do we start? How about anthropology. ANOTHER OLOGY! Bear with me. Anthropology is the study of a culture in general. Ethnomusicology then is the anthropology of a cultures music. Deep breath. So, study the culture. Get to know the people. Why do they play it like that? Why does their music all sound sad? Why is that instrument made out of an Armadillo? I’m not joking there, it’s called a charango (not to be confused with the charanga which is a cuban dance music). Ask lots and lots of questions. If you can get your hands on a native instrument, do it and see if someone will teach you. Ask lots and lots of questions. Maybe you have heard that people of another culture greatly appreciate you trying to learn their language. It’s the same for trying to learn their music. it is a door that we as musicians have an opportunity to open. You can even get a head start with a google or wikipedia search for the music of . . .
We’re gonna be switching gears again tomorrow (kind of) and start talking about how to start developing as a musician. As always, please feel free to comment, complain, encourage, ask questions, or tell a funny joke. Peace.
