Thinking Musically: Experiencing Music, Expressing Culture

by Bonnie C. Wade

Designed for undergraduates and general readers with little or no background in music, Thinking Musically incorporates music from many diverse cultures--including the Americas, Asia, Africa, Oceania, and Europe--and establishes the framework for exploring the practice of music around the
world. Thinking Musically explores the importance of musical instruments and discusses the fundamental elements of music--including rhythm, pitch in melodic and harmonic relationships, and form--and examines how they vary in different musical traditions. The author considers the effects of cultural
factors such as gender and ethnicity on the perception, interpretation, and performance of music, as well as the forces of nationalism, cultural encounters, and westernization.

New to the Second Edition
*Revised to bring the book up-to-date with current trends that are influencing music around the world, including the accelerating impact of technology (YouTube, MySpace, and digital downloading) and the increased effects of globalization
*Increased consideration of the pressures exerted by gender and mass media on the form, content, and performance of music
*Expanded discussion of fieldwork (in Chapter 7 and throughout the book)
*Includes additional photographs, expanded CD tracks, and new activities

Thinking Musically is the cornerstone of the Global Music Series ; each case study in the series uses the contemporary musical situation as a point of departure--covering historical information and traditions as they relate to the present. Thinking Musically can be used with case studies in any
combination to provide a rich exploration of world musical cultures, or it can be used independently as a short introduction to world music or music appreciation. Thinking Musically includes two 80-minute CDs--corresponding with activities found throughout the text--that feature selections from a
wide variety of musical cultures.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published September 18, 2003

Reviews

[📚 Alana (professional book nerd)]

Read for school (textbook)
Didn’t enjoy much tbh

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

A book on everything music related, hence all aspects are badly presented.

[Farida El-gueretly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I REALLY enjoyed this book. It ranges from all aspects of ethnomusicology, from understanding music from the perspective of instruments, pitch and rhythm. It also took very thought-provoking examples from many different cultures to illustrate concepts. Its also very hands-on, accompanied by a CD that she refers to throughout the book, as well as activities for the reader. This is a manual for the ambitious to-be ethnomusicologist.

[Michael Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice book about the differences in how music is expressed, performed, written, and structured in various world cultures. Particularly interesting were the sections describing representations of time, pitch, rhythm, etc. Academic bent, but accessible.

[Gabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Describes the elements of music, but takes it out of the typical euro-centric, classical music context. Prepares you for experiencing music from a variety of cultures and traditions.

[Emily Olsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was required reading for a World Music class and I really enjoyed reading it. The author had a fun way of teaching us about music from different cultures.