Savage

AAWM JOURNAL VOL. 2 NO. 2 (2013)

Toward a New Comparative Musicology

Patrick E. Savage and Steven Brown

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Abstract:

We propose a return to the forgotten agenda of comparative musicology, one that is updated with the paradigms of modern evolutionary theory and scientific methodology. Ever since the field of comparative musicology was redefined as ethnomusicology in the mid-twentieth century, musicologists have all but abandoned many features of its original research agenda, not least the overarching goal of cross-cultural musical comparison. We outline here five major themes that underlie the re-establishment of comparative musicology: (1) classification, (2) cultural evolution, (3) human history, (4) universals, and (5) biological evolution. Throughout the article, we clarify key ideological, methodological and terminological objections that have been levied against musical comparison. Ultimately, we argue for an inclusive, constructive, and multidisciplinary field that analyzes the world’s musical diversity, from the broadest of generalities to the most culture-specific particulars, with the aim of synthesizing the full range of theoretical perspectives and research methodologies available.

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Contributor Information:

Patrick E. Savage graduated with an M.Sc. in Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour from McMaster University in 2011. He is currently a graduate student in the Musicology Department of the Tokyo University of the Arts.

Steven Brown is the director of the NeuroArts Lab in the McMaster University Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour. The lab is devoted to developing a holistic understanding of the neural, cognitive and evolutionary foundations of the arts.

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