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Definition and Limitations of Musicology:

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Definition and Limitations of Musicology:

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Kerman discusses the origins of the term "musicology" and the evolution of its meaning. From the original "systematic musicology" that covered a wide range of fields to the current narrow understanding that focuses mainly on the historical study of Western classical music. He criticizes the limitations of current musicology, arguing that it is too focused on verifiable facts and analytical research, while neglecting the core of music as an aesthetic experience.

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Music theory is defined as the study of musical structure, including scales, chords, musical forms, etc., but is often more closely associated with modernist music-making.

Musical analysis, as a technical procedure that focuses on the internal structure of individual compositions, is often considered too formal and lacking in historical and cultural context.

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Kerman called for musicology to focus more on Criticism, the study of the meaning and value of music, rather than merely historical or formal analysis.

He advocated combining musicology with criticism, and using history as the basis for criticism, thus deepening the understanding of music.

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Discusses identity politics, critical bias, and limitations of academic methodology in black music research.

Emphasises the role of black music in society and culture and the complexity of its research.

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In the late 20th century, the connection between the "ivory tower" and real society strengthened.

Musicology focuses on diverse issues, such as race and cultural identity.

The 1995 joint conference of the American Musicological Society and the Center for the Study of Black Music became a turning point in academic development.

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Identity politics and black music research:

The race, gender, and historical background of researchers affect the interpretation of black music.

Black music is not only an artistic expression, but also an expression of cultural identity.

The voice of black women:

Emphasises the influence of black female writers and scholars (such as Alice Walker and Toni Morrison) in the cultural field.

Criticizes the male-centrism in black cultural nationalism and calls for attention to the contributions of black women.

Limitations of academic methods:

Mainstream musicology tends to formalistic analysis and ignores the social and cultural significance of music.

Emphasises the historical distance of black music and calls for redefining its value in cultural and social contexts.

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James Brown:

The combination of music and dance has become a symbol of black cultural expression.

His music has led to the development of styles such as Funk and Jazz-fusion.

Eileen Southern:

The book "The Music of Black Americans" breaks through the academic limitations of black music research.

Use historical research methods to record the evolution of black music.

Amiri Baraka:

The book "Blues People" explores the connection between black music and political economy.

Criticizes the impact of commercialization and urbanization on the "real" nature of black music.

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5. The transformation of academic and critical studies

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5. The transformation of academic and critical studies

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New paradigm:

From formalism to cultural studies, integrating semiotics, poststructuralism and critical theory.

Focus on the social function and historical context of music.

Interdisciplinary research:

Introducing tools such as literary theory and cultural studies into music research.

Expanding the boundaries of traditional musicology, especially the study of African American music.

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Criticism and solidarity:

The limited number of black music scholars has led to weak collectivism in academic research.

Call for strengthening academic unity in the complex context of identity politics.

The role of cultural translation:

Scholars play the role of "cultural translators" to explain black music and its significance to the mainstream academic community.

Reflect on power relations and racial issues in academia.

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Black music research needs to break through the limitations of traditional methodology and combine criticism and historical analysis.

Scholars need to redefine the cultural value and social function of black music from a multidisciplinary perspective.

Advocate for a deeper connection between academia and social reality to promote the development of black music research.

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The Castrato Meets the Cyborg

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The author opens with a performance scene by Marc Antonio Pasqualini, an Italian castrating singer from the early 17th century, in which he stands on a chariot pulled by a mechanical eagle and wears an ornately woven garment of gold thread, symbolizing "fame." The scene is used to explore the ambiguity of the "boundary between man and machine," and the essay attempts to see the 17th-century eunuchs as a kind of early cyborg, a combination of human body and technology.

Keywords: Eunuchs, machines, Cyborg, early modern technology.

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Donna Haraway's Framework:
Bonnie Gordon applies Haraway's cyborg theory to analyze 17th-century castrati singers.
Haraway's cyborgs challenge binary oppositions like nature/artifice and human/non-human, emphasizing hybridity and boundary-breaking identities.

Cyborgs Beyond Electronics:

Cyborgs are not exclusive to electronic or digital technologies.

In the 17th century, "cyborg culture" emerged through technologies such as hydraulics, mechanical motion, and theatrical illusions.

Challenges to Boundaries:

Castrati performers blur the lines between human and non-human.

Their surgically altered bodies and trained voices resemble modern cyborgs in transcending the divide between the natural and the artificial.

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Ethnomusicology is the study of the relationship between music and culture, with the aim of understanding humanity's commonality and cultural diversity through music. It is concerned not only with the form and structure of music itself, but also with how music is created, performed, and given meaning in specific cultural contexts. Music is seen in ethnomusicology as an expression of cultural action and an important tool for social interaction and identity expression.

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The proposal and application of performative ethnography

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The proposal and application of performative ethnography

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Deborah Wong's research puts forward the approach of performative ethnography, emphasizing the need for researchers to deeply understand the cultural and social significance of music through participation in performance and reflection on their own roles. Her research uses the North American Taidrum as an example to show how performance activities have become tools for AsiAn-Americans to express identity, build community, and respond to racialized social oppression. She pointed out that the performance itself is not only the reproduction of culture, but also the generation process of cultural significance.

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The social practice and political significance of ethnomusicology

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The social practice and political significance of ethnomusicology

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Ethnomusicology also emphasizes the social practical and political significance of music research. Wong believes that ethnomusicology should go beyond mere theoretical analysis and combine music research to drive social change. For example, studying how music shapes identity and unites communities can help challenge inequalities in society. Music in this context is seen as a potential tool for social action.

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Methods and directions for studying ethnomusicology

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Methods and directions for studying ethnomusicology

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The study of ethnomusicology can be developed from two aspects: theory and practice. In theory, the development and methodology of the discipline can be understood through classical literature such as Rice's Defining Ethnomusicology and Merriam's Anthropology of Music. In practice, it is necessary to participate in the field research of music and explore the interactive relationship between music and culture through observation, recording and participation in performance. In terms of research topics, we can focus on the global dissemination and identity construction of music, and explore how music forms new meanings in cross-cultural communication.

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Through surgery (pre-adolescent castration) and rigorous vocal training, castrato creates a voice that transcends nature and has a high vocal range. Its body is regarded as a "plastic material", comparing the body to a mechanical device such as a hydraulic organ.