Fundamentals of Understanding Music

Fundamentals of Understanding Music

1. What is music?

   • culturally determined
     • Thai Buddhist Monk Example: One of clearer examples given in the textbook describes where the cultural transition between speech and song begins.  > The Thai Buddhist monks have a culture where the chanting that they do is considered song to those people and that culture, whereas to an outsider, it may just sound like chanting (heightened speech).
   • Organized sounds

2. Is music a universal language?

   • No
     • Here's why: 1) Music is not a language of its own.  2) While certain sounds and symbols may be similar throughout the world, the meanings behind them are very different and inconsistent.            - The Dutch sailor example: Dutch sailors were killed because of a miscommunication through instruments and gestures when attempting to come on land where Native Americans resided.

3. Labeling

   • The hierarchical value system
     • > When labeled pieces are grouped together, it creates a sort of hierarchical scale where, if for instance pop, folk, and classical were grouped together, classical would have the highest value, then pop, and then folk.  > Labeling where the different types of music have a neutral value is acceptable. 

4. Fieldwork

   • Importance
     • The study and recording/documentation of music in other cultures can be conducive to a better understanding and appreciation of music world-wide.  
   • Issues
     • > The presence of outsiders and equipment used to record audio, video, or photograph may cause the performers to perform differently. > The presence of outsiders may not be welcomed during some performances which are considered sacred, ceremonial, religious, or political within that culture.

5. Resources

   • Reference works
   • Video
   • Audio recordings
   • Journals