Answer the following questions based on the readings. Answer in paragraph form (complete sentences).

In general,
each question should require an answer anywhere from 3 to 7 sentences. Make sure you answer each question fully.
Please submit via Blackboard 9 am on Friday, 8/29.
Ch. 4
1. Nettl works to avoid making generalizations about the universality of music to not only be politically
correct, but because music has different meaning between cultures. Not only does music sound different,
but it is measured against different standards, if it is measured at all. For example, Nettl mentions that the
measure of exceptional varies by regions. Western art places value on originality and innovation, (but not
too strange, i.e. electronic, synthesized music), while Iran values individualism, and Blackfoot associates
their exceptional with the power of the few and their connection with the supernatural. Along with the fact
that in the West, many ethnomusicologists would argue of music debating that a fact is not in the South
or not so among the Cherokee.

2. Nettl suggests that there is a similarity and specific elements present in all musical utterances. He suggests
that there is a beginning and an end, that all music holds some repetition of some kind, the rhythm and melody offers
texture in a complexity that all music, and has more than one minimal unit, whether long or a short piece.

3. Nettl describes repertory structure as structural characteristics placed around what can be called music. The fact
that there are standards is universal the debate as to what the standards of whats to be considered music varies from
culture to culture. It ranges from the monophonic Native American music to Bachs structure of chords, each area
defines great music differently.
4. Nettl refers to human physiology and anatomy as one possible reason that universals in music exist, because for
millennia humans have been in some kind of direct or indirect contact with each other. He suggests the argument
that at one time music held much more similarities than it does today. Todays variety of musics may be dialects of a
former universal music that once was.

Ch. 5

5. Nettl describes the similarities between ethnomusicology and linguistic studies being of how they are
accomplished. Both are to study as an outsider, but at some point is required to become a participant and/or
moonlight as an insider in order to gain the knowledge to be studied. Both hold the danger of bias and narcissim
during the studies and have to maintain an effort that one(Western) way is not necessarily superior, but only
different. They also face the same barrier of culture differences. One has to understand a bit of history of a people in
order to understand their actions and meaning behind those actions.
6. My personal idiolect would, I would sadly have to say, is the pop styles of Christina Aguilera. I grew up in the
pop era, as Christina and Britney were coming out of their Mikey Mouse Clubhouse persona, I would sneak on the
radio to listen to Genie in a Bottle. Throw in some classic Linkin Park and Nirvana, because my boyfriend was a
guitarist and we would listen to that genre. Lastly, I throw my hands up to heavy metal, I like to have melody in my
music.
7. The style of a cultures music constitutes the themes and motifs of pieces. The message behind the pieces
combined with the actual structure of the music gives the music a specific sound that can be notable by listening.
Nettl used the example of comparing Bartoks folk music, almost harsher style to Beethovens classical pieces.
8. I agree with Nettl that music is a human activity. We as a species tend to soothe ourselves, conveying feelings by
combining pitches and sounds to make what we know as music. I also agree that the musics of human societies
should not be judged by the same standards. The context between cultures is too different to be able to compare
the likes. The society structures differ, along with what is available to those cultures negate any ability to compare
musics of the world to the same standard.
9. Bimusicality is being versed in more than one type of music. Similar to being bilingual when being
knowledgeable of and in two languages. The reason for the existence of bimusicality is because there is a separation
between different types of music. Even if we come only to the western hemisphere, jazz and classical can be two
different concepts and what is allowed with jazz music is frowned upon in classical.
10. Nettl writes that it is relatively easy to find musical centers because the distinctness between cultures music.
The borders are harder because, it doesnt necessarily follow regional borders and the music centers blend as they
spread outward. Much more, in current times, the addition of internet and world wide communication has skewed
any possible borders of dividing specific boundaries for music types.