Anthropology 221
Mr. James Beil
By:
ABSTRACT
I will examine the relationship between music and culture and discuss the role music plays in people’s daily lives. I will discuss unique handcrafted instruments used by different cultures to express traditions through music and how rhythm, melody & harmony affect how music sounds. My research will show how music plays an important part of cultural preservation and revitalization of people around the world, and although every culture has their own traditions and beliefs they all use music in their celebrations and spiritual ceremonies.
Mr. James Beil
Anthropology
Music in World Culture
Music is a very important characteristic of all cultures. Evidence of humans making music reaches far back in time. Although the Modern American culture commonly views music as a form of entertainment, there are still many cultures who believe music is much more than that. Music is a form of verbal art, poetry and stories combined with melody and rhythm that all cultures use to display inspiration, religion, political views or emotions. Most cultures have sacred music, for religious functions, and worldly music, for nonreligious activities.
I will say that before taking this class I had never heard the work “Ethnomusicology”, now I know that Ethnomusicology is the study of the music of the world. I now realize there are so many different cultures of the world and they all have their own unique traditions. What stood out for me the most is that Music plays a major part in every culture around the world. (Wikipedia)
Many cultures usually handcrafted their instruments using what was available to them in their distinct cultural setting, using such things like pebbles, animal hide, teeth, and bones; these materials produced a specific sound. I have chosen 3 different cultures to compare and research
Cited: “African People and Culture-Dance, Music and Musical Instruments.” African People and Culture-Dance, Music and Musical Instruments. N.p., n.d Web. 19 July 2013. “Destiny, the Culture of China.” ThinkQuest. Oracle Foundation, n.d. Web. 19 July 2013. “Music History.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation, 17 July 2013. Web. 19 July 2013. “Native American Music.” Native American Music and Culture. N.p., n.d Web. 19 July 2013. :