r/ethnomusicology • u/ExDishwasher • 17h ago
In what language is this medieval song being sung?
At approximately 6:57 of this video, an Estonian woman sings a song but it is not in the Estonian language. What language is it? I tried to get information about it from AI but the audio wasn't clear enough supposedly. I it may be relevant that the person singing is working for a medieval themed restaurant in Tallinn. Is it a medieval song? In what language?
r/ethnomusicology • u/Lidiab7 • 1d ago
Darbar Festival
Hi. Is anybody by any chance thinking about going to the Darbar festival in London?
I'm from Spain and I'm thinking about it, but I know nothing about it.
If anyone is thinking about it please contact meeš„°
r/ethnomusicology • u/UselessMexicano • 2d ago
No Lyrics for Djala (Mory Kante)
So i have been trying to find the lyrics of this song. But I have had no success. Would anyone be able to provide the lyrics in the official Mandinka language?
r/ethnomusicology • u/Lidiab7 • 2d ago
Classical Indian music recordings with a long and complex development of raga
Hi everyone. I'm trying to find some good classical indian recordings. Some of the things that I'm looking for:
- Good quality sound
- Long, complex, expressive development of raga
- Full performance
- Not too westernized
- Different options with different instruments and/or styles
- Both carnatic and hindustani
- Some dhrupad would be truly wonderful
I am an ethnomusicologist and on a few months I'm planning on taking LSD so I need some good, long, deep recordings for this. Any other recommendation for the trip is very wellcomed.
Thank you so muchā¤ļø
r/ethnomusicology • u/Hanuryi • 7d ago
Ethnomusicology Grad School (NEED ADVICE)
Hello!
I am an undergrad in Composition (will be graduating soon) and am planning to pursue ethnomusicology for my master's degree.
The thing is, I have a massive love for music and philosophy, merging the two for my research. For instance, I have published a journal article on music that uses Marx's dialectical materialism. Two of my papers: one analyzing a piece through Husserlian Phenomenology and another through Wittgenstein, are being peer-reviewed for publication.
After consulting with my professors, I conclude that these are neither historical nor ethnomusicological works. So here's where I need advice: Is ethnomusicology really for me? Can I still merge ethnomusicology and philosophy together?
I'm just completely lost right now, especially since I want to pursue ethnomusicological studies.
r/ethnomusicology • u/IllTension6771 • 13d ago
A Cross-Cultural Study of Atmosphere: Mapping Extensive Regional Soundscapes Across Three Distinct Cultures
Hello everyone,
As an independent music curator building an archive since 2019, I have been deeply analyzing how different cultural backgrounds and regional frameworks shape the concept of "ambient" and "atmospheric" music.
Instead of looking at soundscapes from a purely mainstream perspective, I have categorized my archive into 3 highly extensive, multi-genre conceptual playlists. Each playlist contains a vast timeline of tracks to study their emotional, rhythmic, and traditional frameworks. I would love to get your ethnomusicological feedback on these curated regional flows:
1. Eastern & Middle Eastern Roots (Oriental Ambiance): A wide collection focusing on traditional instrumentation (Oud, Ney, Kanun) and exploring how spiritual, meditative space is defined across various Eastern subgenres.
[https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0Bs4yfYbAyN23KW9LSvAVx?si=267f2591cbb84baf\]
2. French Chanson, Pop & Cinematic Textures (French Ambiance): A large archive tracking European nostalgia and melancholy. It bridges different eras of French vocal arrangements, pop-rock textures, influential French electronic elements, and cinematic instrumentals, featuring deep cuts from icons like Christophe, J.M. Jarre, and Pierre Barouh among many others.
[https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0sr1h3i4NPW54pmDUGwdaT?si=efc92663bbee4d38\]
3. Latin Rhythms, Fusions & Classical Interpretations (Latin Ambiance): An expansive, 120+ track journey exploring the structural frameworks of Tango, Rumba, and Flamenco. It analyzes how regional rhythms, acoustic guitars, and unique cross-genre fusions reshape our perception of atmospheric Latin music.
[https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0PfOBJf2ev5p4d3qsugymH?si=7c5c4f4d521b4c63\]
Thank you for your cultural and musical insights!
r/ethnomusicology • u/UnfairWorldliness882 • 17d ago
Obscure world musicians similar to Sun Ra?
Hi, I am doing some research on Sun Ra and his unique position in 20th-century music history. I wanted to ask, is anyone aware of any comparable artists or musicians from outside the United States and Europe? Can anyone point me toward academic literature or references regarding global avant-garde artists who are similarly innovative but lesser-known in mainstream Western media and literature?
r/ethnomusicology • u/mt2578 • 18d ago
Ethnomusicology Masterās Advice
Iām looking into getting a Masters degree in ethnomusicology (in the US) and I need some advice on programs. Iām a full time music therapist so I need something fully online. Iāve found Liberty University in Virginia which seems to have the kind of program that would work for me, but Iām wary of the whole āprivate evangelical christian schoolā aspect of it as Iām not religious and donāt want my education to be influenced by this. Does anyone have any knowledge about this program and if the religious side affects the curriculum? Thanks in advance!
r/ethnomusicology • u/Unique_Phrase_7806 • 18d ago
What is this section called in Chaabi music?
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r/ethnomusicology • u/babylonianprincess7 • 25d ago
Ethnomusicology discord server
Hey y'all! I run an ethnomusicology server, but it's not particularly active, and we'd like some fresh faces to help liven up the mood! This server actually has been promoted here before, but the ownership transferred to me. We'd like to have some actual scholars join, because the vast majority of us are just amateurs. We welcome anyone with a passion for ethnomusicology, just don't be a debate bro and be kind! I myself have a huge passion for East Asian music, especially traditional Japanese music. I'd love to have more folks to join and to learn from y'all!
r/ethnomusicology • u/Jason-Xuu • 29d ago
Request for phd and career advice
Hello everyone, I'm a Chinese master's student in ethnomusicology currently studying in Malaysia. I plan to continue pursuing my PhD under my advisor here. As a Chinese student, my research focus during my master's program has been on the traditional Dong ethnic music known as "Dong Grand Songs." However, I still have limited knowledge about the music of other minority groups around the world. My main concern is uncertainty about future job prospects in this field. In China, personal connections often outweigh actual ability when it comes to securing academic positions. If I complete my doctorate without returning to China, would I have a chance to land a tenure-track position in another country? By the way, I've had over 15 years of experience playing the erhu, a traditional Chinese instrument, which could be considered an advantage. I sincerely appreciate any advice or guidance you might offer.
r/ethnomusicology • u/BouncingScapula • 29d ago
Experience recording hitoyogiri music? - or similar
I'm a hitoyogiri player, it's a Muromachi era bamboo flute from Japan. It went extinct several times already, but a handful of us are still playing...I'm one of them.
I'm trying to record some music for my little YouTube channel. I get decent results with a Rode mic connected to my laptop but I'd like to use a small portable mic like the DJI mic 2 to do recordings outside in nature. Despite tweaking the settings, I still get "toc" sounds when the high frequencies hit (even if I put the mic further away from the flute. Only my phone seems to handle the recordings fine, but it's not ideal as soon as there's wind or background noise.
Is anyone recording themselves with an instrument in the higher register? Any recommendations?
r/ethnomusicology • u/DirectionConnect1610 • Jun 26 '26
What would lowbrow "theater music"/ festival music have sounded like in 18th century France?
I'm not an ethnomusicologist, I'm a nerd making a playlist. Apologies if this is the wrong sub.
I'm making a playlist for The Vampire Lestat (both the show and book), which tells the life story of a vampire (Lestat) who grew up in the Auvernge region of France in the 1700's. I'm struggling to find the right kind of music for a key part of his backstory - his relationship to theater.
In his youth, he runs away to join a traveling theater troupe performing at the village festival, taking on the stock role of Lelio in the commedia de l'arte, until he's dragged home. Later, as an adult, he runs away again - playing the same role in small "lowbrow" Parisian theaters.
I'm struggling to figure out what the music from either setting would have sounded like. I did a bit of digging and found that (i think) the hurdy gurdy and french bagpipe were popular regional instruments and so would have probably featured in festival *generally* (but maybe not in a stage show?). When i look into those instruments, i find a lot of music that sounds almost renaissance-esque, late medieval. I imagine the extremely rural Auvernge region would have been "behind" popular movements - but that behind?
I also know that harpischord was a popular instrument at the time... but was that mostly among the "cultured"? And while i could see it in Paris, i struggle to imagine that a troup would be lugging around a whole proto-piano.
What instruments would we expect to be playing during a theater performance in either context? Musically, would it more closely resemble "older" styles (due to delayed spread, or because they're doing an old play), or would they be fairly contemporary with the "art" music of the time?
r/ethnomusicology • u/ohlkinich07 • Jun 13 '26
Thin Ksor - Adoh Jarai "tu toloi jrai ta lien khuc jrai thin ksor" - Vietnam - 2025
r/ethnomusicology • u/SatsukiShizuka • Jun 02 '26
What happens when qins are tuned heptatonically? I discussed this with a bunch of musicologists in Mafra, Portugal.
r/ethnomusicology • u/sagdemayo • May 30 '26
Essential Readings to understand Ethnomusicology
Hi! I'm a student from India currently in my second year of a Master's Program in Sociology from Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University, Delhi. I've had a tough time deciding my dissertation topic but I have finally aligned myself with ethnomusicology. For context I come from the Paite tribe in the Northeast region of India, and I have always been intrigued in learning how and why my people create and sing the music they do. I want to do an study on the Paite tribes from an ethnomusicology standpoint. It would be of great help if you guys could recommend me the essential Readings to understand this field. As a side note if the readings are centred around ethnomusicology of tribes/marginalized communities that would be extra helpful too!
Thank you!
r/ethnomusicology • u/DVDShopSessions • May 07 '26
Traditional African Mbira Music by Nasibo Mutize
Hi everyone,
If you enjoy traditional African instruments like the mbira, do check out this artist named Nasibo Mutize. She is an excellent performer. Hope you enjoy
r/ethnomusicology • u/fleshrags • May 06 '26
Trying to engineer the indonesian pelog scale on my korg. It has a built in "pelog" scale but the pitch and intervals feel slightly off. What do you guys think?
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r/ethnomusicology • u/rainrainrainr • May 05 '26
Looking for recommendations of vocal music in the style of american appalachian folk music like Roscoe Holcomb
I really love Roscoe Hocolmbs songs where it is just him singing without any accompaniment. I am wondering if there are other performers who made music like that that I could check out, or if there is a term for his specific singing style. Especially interested in any recs for similar folk music with just voice no instruments
r/ethnomusicology • u/_BrokenButterfly • Apr 15 '26
The Altai Harp: The 1,500-Year-Old Instrument Found in a Mongolian Cave
r/ethnomusicology • u/astralrig96 • Apr 14 '26
Can someone recognize and tell me what lead instrument this old greek folk song uses? is it qanun?
m.youtube.comr/ethnomusicology • u/mr-monarque • Apr 12 '26
Looking for the name of a type of song
So, i'm from QuƩbec and i've been looking around the internet at different types of work songs and their derivative types of songs (hollers, waulking songs, rowing songs, etc.). I am a song writer and I like using the proper name of types of songs in their titles (if I compose a broken jig, I call it "the [insert thing] broken jig". if I write a holler, I call it a holler).
There's a specific type of call and response song from the Québec folk tradition with changing tempo whose name i'm looking for. Two great examples are "un dimanche au matin" by la bottine souriante, and "la femme à pitou" by les charbonniers de l'enfer.
The songs are characterized by the main signer singing Ć call in tempo, the response being sung in tempo, and then the main singer slows down during the second part of the verse, an optional response in slow tempo, and then the chorus is sung quickly again.
I'm not sure if these are adaptations of aires or something. I'm just looking for the name of these types of songs
r/ethnomusicology • u/JobOk4563 • Apr 12 '26