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Ethnomusicologists examine music as a social process in order to understand what music is and what it means to its practitioners and audiences. Ethnomusicology is highly interdisciplinary. Individuals working in the field may have training in music, sound studies, cultural anthropology, folklore, performance studies, dance, area studies ...
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Ethnomusicologists are professionals who study musical styles from all over the world and how they relate to the cultures that produce them. Ethnomusicology can provide rewarding career opportunities for individuals with a passion for music and anthropology. If you're interested in a career in ethnomusicology, it may be beneficial to learn more about the field and how you can enter it. In this article, we explain how to become an ethnomusicologist, describe what they do and provide information on the salary and job outlook for these professionals.
Related: Music Careers: How To Pursue Them and Different Types
An ethnomusicologist is an individual with extensive expertise in musical instruments and styles from around the world. Their field also includes the study of how music relates to the culture that produces it. Since ethnomusicology is primarily an academic discipline it requires a graduate-level degree, and many ethnomusicologists work in higher education with some working as researchers or authors. Some ethnomusicologists may also work in museums that have collections related to music.
Ethnomusicology is a very broad field that includes music from every continent. This means that ethnomusicologists often have a narrow focus such as Brazilian traditional music, Afro-Cuban music, North Indian music or jazz. During their studies, ethnomusicology students take courses in ethnography, geography, culture as well as multiple music theory and performance classes.
Conducting research
Regardless of their place of work, research is usually the core of an ethnomusicologist's job. Some ethnomusicologists conduct research as part of an academic career, while others spend most of their time conducting fieldwork. Reading is an important part of ethnomusicological research, and academics often spend much of their time reading books and academic papers that deal with music and ethnography in their area of expertise. They may also view films of important musical performances or listen to recordings of music from around the world.
Writing
Writing is often an important part of work for ethnomusicologists and they require strong written communication and editing skills. Ethnomusicology professors often spend their summers and breaks writing academic papers or books that reflect their research or fieldwork. In some cases, they may integrate these pieces into their classes. Ethnomusicology researchers also compile the data they collect into scholarly papers, memoirs and full-length books.
Curating museum collections
Museums that maintain collections of cultural musical instruments or exhibits related to specific cultural groups may hire ethnomusicologists to work as curators. These professionals plan permanent exhibits, coordinate traveling exhibits, restore damaged pieces, create displays and descriptions, manage collections and create educational programs for the public. The primary goal of ethnomusicologists in a museum setting is to enhance the public's knowledge of traditional music through visual displays.
1. Complete a bachelor's degree
If you want to become an ethnomusicologist, the first step is to earn a bachelor's degree in a related field. Most students complete a bachelor's degree in four years, while others may require extra time to meet their credit requirements. Sometimes, you may be able to accelerate your degree by taking summer courses. While some schools offer undergraduate degrees in ethnomusicology, these programs can be rare. Students interested in the field can also earn a degree in musical performance, music education or pair a music major with a minor in anthropology or a related field. If you have musical experience, it may be possible to complete a degree in anthropology and then pursue a graduate-level degree in ethnomusicology using your musical background to pass the musicianship requirements.
2. Earn a master's degree
Ethnomusicology jobs almost always require candidates to have a master's degree in ethnomusicology or in music with an ethnomusicology focus. During the last years of your undergraduate degree, it's important to prepare your application materials and maintain a high GPA. The most common requirements for entering a master's program include a passing Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score, a graduate school application, application fees, letters of recommendation from professors and advisors, your college transcripts and a personal statement or essay. The normal timeframe for earning a master's degree is two years, depending on the requirements of their research. Ethnomusicology master's students usually take a wide variety of music and ethnography classes and complete an in-depth research project that often includes fieldwork. These are some of the classes that you may encounter as an ethnomusicology student: •Music theory: In order to conduct their research, ethnomusicologists require a deep understanding of musical theory and practice. while earning your degree, you may take a variety of high-level music theory classes that introduce you to the technical aspects of composition and musical analysis. •Musicology: Musicology is a discipline that focuses on the academic study of music and the role it plays in society. This can range from the scientific study of acoustics and musical psychology to the history of music and the study of musical instruments. •Musical instruction: As part of their studies, most ethnomusicology students receive private instruction in voice or their instrument of choice. This is an important facet of their education that allows them to be active participants in musical performance and understand music-making in a deeper way. •Ensemble: Aside from their private musical instruction, many ethnomusicology students participate in ensembles. This may include orchestras, jazz bands, dance troupes or groups that perform music from the cultures that they're studying. •Ethnographic methods: Ethnography is the systematic study of cultural groups and is a major part of ethnomusicology. In these courses, students learn to examine societies from the perspective of the study's subject and explore different ways to conduct fieldwork and other types of research. •Music research: Since ethnomusicology focuses heavily on fieldwork and academic research, students often take classes that introduce them to different research methods. In these classes, students learn how to plan a research project, how to collect accurate data, how to analyze their results, how to conduct fieldwork and how to interact with subjects. •World music: As part of their education, ethnomusicology students often take classes that introduce them to musical traditions from around the world. These may be broad overviews or highly focused courses that deal with music in a specific region.
3. Consider a Ph.D.
After completing your master's degree, it's important to decide what career path you want to take. If you have an opportunity to work in a museum or as an independent researcher or music teacher, your master's degree may be sufficient. However, most ethnomusicologists work in higher education as professors. If you want to work in a university, it's important to apply to a Ph.D. program in ethnomusicology. You can remain at the college or look for another university that provides increased financial assistance or better research opportunities. By this stage of your education, your work may focus more on fieldwork and dissertation research rather than classroom instruction. Before you begin a Ph.D. program, it's important to have a clear research plan and area of focus. As a doctoral student, you may also assist professors in their research or teach undergraduate classes. The time required to complete a Ph.D. varies based on students' research requirements, although most finish in five to seven years.
Ethnomusicologists are scholars who study the relationship between music and culture, investigating the ways in which music functions within societies and communities around the world. Rooted in the field of ethnomusicology, their work involves examining the role of music in diverse cultural contexts, understanding the social and historical ...
Jun 24, 2022 · Ethnomusicologist education and training. Ethnomusicologists study social disciplines like anthropology, humanities and psychology to understand the social constructs of music. They also develop a deep knowledge of music, including instrumentation, theory and expression.
Ethnomusicologists study music as a reflection of culture and investigate the act of musicking through various immersive, observational, and analytical approaches drawn from other disciplines such as anthropology to understand a culture’s music.
Dec 20, 2019 · Ethnomusicologists study a wide range of topics and musical practices throughout the world. It is sometimes described as the study of non-Western music or “world music,” as opposed to musicology, which studies Western European classical music.
Becoming an ethnomusicologist involves a combination of education, research experience, and a passion for exploring the cultural dimensions of music. Here are the general steps to pursue a career as an ethnomusicologist: Educational Background: Obtain a Bachelor's Degree in Music, Anthropology, Ethnomusicology, or a related field. Some aspiring ...
