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Chapter Three Musicology and Ethnomusicology

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Musicology of Religion
This chapter is in the book Musicology of Religion
Chapter ThreeMusicology and EthnomusicologyAll informants thought that universals did exist in the music, and in fact, universals were seen as embedded within the concept of music itself.—Ellen Koskoff, “Thoughts on Universals in Music”There is some kind of universal grammar or syntax of music, perhaps somewhat like that of language. Surely significant among them must be the association of music with the supernatural. All known cultures accompany religious activity with music.—Bruno Nettl, The Study of EthnomusicologyMany if not most writers on musical experience believe that the ability to experience music is so widespread that it must be considered an inborn capacity for all humans.—Bennett Reimar and Jeffrey E. Wright, On the Nature of Musical ExperienceAs discussed in the previous chapter, the prevailing view in the social sciences, and especially cultural anthropology, is to consider music, like religion, as a case of culture. This has often complicated the pursuit of comparative studies in religion and music, which normally seeks to collect data, make comparisons by noting similarities and differences, observe gen-eral patterns, and posit theories. Without the possibility of universality or 121
© State University of New York

Chapter ThreeMusicology and EthnomusicologyAll informants thought that universals did exist in the music, and in fact, universals were seen as embedded within the concept of music itself.—Ellen Koskoff, “Thoughts on Universals in Music”There is some kind of universal grammar or syntax of music, perhaps somewhat like that of language. Surely significant among them must be the association of music with the supernatural. All known cultures accompany religious activity with music.—Bruno Nettl, The Study of EthnomusicologyMany if not most writers on musical experience believe that the ability to experience music is so widespread that it must be considered an inborn capacity for all humans.—Bennett Reimar and Jeffrey E. Wright, On the Nature of Musical ExperienceAs discussed in the previous chapter, the prevailing view in the social sciences, and especially cultural anthropology, is to consider music, like religion, as a case of culture. This has often complicated the pursuit of comparative studies in religion and music, which normally seeks to collect data, make comparisons by noting similarities and differences, observe gen-eral patterns, and posit theories. Without the possibility of universality or 121
© State University of New York

Chapters in this book

  1. Front Matter i
  2. Contents vii
  3. Preface ix
  4. Introduction 1
  5. Theories and Methods
  6. Religious Studies and Music 43
  7. Social Sciences and Music 89
  8. Musicology and Ethnomusicology 121
  9. New Directions and Paradigms
  10. Philosophy and Music 143
  11. Theology and Music 165
  12. Liturgical Studies and Music 217
  13. Cognitive Studies and Music 241
  14. Homo Religiosus and Homo Musicus
  15. Musicology of Religion 263
  16. Resources and Current Outlook 303
  17. Glossary of Terms for Musicology of Religion 311
  18. Works Cited 317
  19. Index 349
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https://doi.org/10.1515/9781438493091-005

Chapters in this book

  1. Front Matter i
  2. Contents vii
  3. Preface ix
  4. Introduction 1
  5. Theories and Methods
  6. Religious Studies and Music 43
  7. Social Sciences and Music 89
  8. Musicology and Ethnomusicology 121
  9. New Directions and Paradigms
  10. Philosophy and Music 143
  11. Theology and Music 165
  12. Liturgical Studies and Music 217
  13. Cognitive Studies and Music 241
  14. Homo Religiosus and Homo Musicus
  15. Musicology of Religion 263
  16. Resources and Current Outlook 303
  17. Glossary of Terms for Musicology of Religion 311
  18. Works Cited 317
  19. Index 349
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