Ethnomusicology And Music Education

Ethnomusicology can be used as a research tool for ethnographies on music education. Ethnomusicology is a music education ethnography that focuses on educational issues directly related to music education. Virginia Garrison (1985), did a study of the different forms of fiddle teaching in Cape Breton. Folk musicians in Cape Breton felt their tradition was at risk of disappearing so they created a program to teach fiddling through classes. Garrison’s principal research concern was to determine if traditional teaching methods can be retained in informal, non-traditional settings.

Garrison had two sub-questions to help him answer this question.

What are the traditional learning methods and contexts that have been recognized by those who carry the tradition?

Which aspects of traditional learning and teaching methods are retained and which are replaced by folk music traditions that move into newer contexts?

As the primary catalyst, the researcher’s expertise, qualifications, experience, and background are important in shaping the study. Garrison had 20 years experience as a teacher in schools of music. She was passionate about folk music preservation and restoration, and had extensive knowledge in ethnomusicology.

It was necessary to observe and communicate with people involved in teaching and learning, as the study required them to examine their social contexts in which they occur. Garrison observed 72 fiddlers and 49 students in six years. They were all practicing fiddlers. Where the fiddle was played. All observations were recorded and photographs taken. Garrison conducted interviews and administered questionnaires to participants. Garrison also kept a personal diary to record all findings.

Interview data revealed that successful fiddle students of the past had passion for the instrument, a sense of responsibility and self-motivation.

Interviews provided information on various stages of the learning process. The results revealed that while the characteristics of the learner were not inherent, they could be influenced by the culture where they live. The results showed some significant differences from the past, such as (1) an emphasis on discipline and (2) community-based learning. (3) Highly developed music reading skills, rather than just audio learning. (4) A higher percentage of female learners was found than the male learners.

Ethnographers value understanding more than action. These are the research implications of Garrison’s study.

Self-motivation. Traditional music learning relies on the need to write music. Motivational catalysts such as musicians and circumstances in the community and home of the learner are essential. If the environment and circumstances in which the student is motivated are not available, the teacher must provide it in the classroom.

Music is my passion. Passion can only be expressed through music that is familiar to you. The passion for folk music comes from the learner having unified experiences with the music and with the people and places that it is emanating. It is the responsibility of teachers in non-traditional learning and teaching contexts to ensure the desired artistic pleasure.

Accountability for learning oneself: Folk musicians are expected to approve of the responsibility of learning their own music. The musician could have learned music either by accident or through reflexive observation. Their musical experiences have often been pleasant and optimistic. The music learner needed lots of opportunities for experimentation, observation, hearing, and execution of folk music in enjoyable real-life circumstances.

Ethnographic study helps to understand the core of culture. This rich description provides details about cultural scenes, beliefs, and practices. The researcher used triangulation techniques to draw conclusions from a wide range of contexts, sources, and techniques. It reveals hidden meanings of participants regarding specific music practices (formal or informal).

Best Buy, the leading U.S. retailer of consumer electronics, is interested in expanding its selection of health and fitness departments. Richfield, Minnesota-based Best Buy was interested in expanding its health and fitness department. They wanted to gauge customer acceptance of this brand expansion. The focus was on creating a healthy and fit shopping experience for women.

A series of in-home interviews was conducted with female shoppers who recently bought the equipment. The researcher wanted to understand how decision-making works and to identify the reasons for purchasing equipment. The researcher collected the stories of female participants regarding the shops they visited most often and their experiences dealing with Best Buy.

Best Buy received frequent updates throughout the discovery stage to aid them in their progress with three specially arranged in-store exercise departments. Interviews were conducted at the home of participants by the researcher. Shop-alongs are a one-on-1, in-depth interviews that examine actual shopping behavior and not what was reported. Discussion topics could include: Packaging, shelving, displays and pricing. The Best Buy sample department for fitness. Each area also has an additional retailer to provide various data points.

USA Swimming, a National Governing Body, based out of Colorado, wanted to know the benefits and challenges that a child’s participation is likely to bring from parents.

Interviews were conducted at the poolside with parents of club and recreational swimmers. These brief interviews were conducted when the children were either practicing their strokes or swimming in the pool during a prearranged practice.

The researcher talked with parents about their overall experience as a “swim parent”, and the impact that this experience has on other sports that their children might be participating in. The researcher focused on the parents’ views of swimming teams and how they were influenced by their children’s enthusiasm for the sport. The researcher talked with the children to understand their views about organized swimming. This included who they participate in, how much time is required, what benefits they see, where they live, and how swimming compares to other sports.

When tackling a challenging design problem, an ethnographic methodology for data collection might be helpful. Because ethnographic research methods can provide a fundamental understanding of the design problem, audience, field, processes, context, and goals. These ethnographic research methods can be used to explore and discover issues that are not well-known to the general public.

The selection and training of ethnographic researchers is an important decision in an ethnographic project. The individual who will conduct the data collection and analysis, as well as the design of the study’s results, is critical.

What are some of the benefits and drawbacks to ethnographic study

Answer: Here are some benefits to ethnography

Ethnography requires persistence and engagement: ethnographic studies usually involve extensive fieldwork that allows the researcher to gain access to a community and then observe in nature for a few months or years. To learn more about the participants being studied.

Ethnography must be both minute- and holistic. This is because ethnographers can often reach broad interpretations from their study of everyday routines and daily activities. You must ensure that your generalizations are culturally compatible by examining the particulars of everyday life as well as the participants.

These are their reflections. It’s not enough to just describe what you see or hear. It is necessary to interpret the observations and behavior in order to assign meaning. This process is known as thick description.

Ethnography allows for flexibility and self-correction.

It creates a relationship by immersing project team in participants’ lives: When conducting ethnographic research, the researcher becomes a part of the participant’s daily life. This allows them to have a very close relationship with them.

A rich source for visual data: ethnographic studies provide a rich source that allows you to conduct your research more efficiently.

It Captures Emotional Behavior (Bodily Behavior) in Different Contexts of Everyday Living: The ethnographer tracks the participant’s emotional behavior. This refers to the participant’s mental state, which can arise spontaneously and not through conscious effort.

Through real-life stories, it puts a human face to data. Teams can relate and even remember them.

It can help you identify discrepancies in what people say and do.

What are the main issues in ethnographic studies?

Answer: Let’s look at the following issues in ethnography.

It can help you identify discrepancies in what people say and do.

This is a time-consuming task that requires a skilled researcher.

To facilitate honest and full discourse, it takes time to establish trust with informants.

This is not the best option for short-term studies.

Researcher bias can have an impact on both the design and interpretation of data.

While too little data can lead people to make false assumptions about their behavior, it is possible for large amounts of data to be ineffectively processed.

Consider the risks associated with ethnography

Answer: Here are the risks associated with ethnography.

Ethnographic Researchers: Ethnographic studies can be challenging and require high-level research skills. These include completeness and detail of observations, aswell as potential biases and mistakes in data analysis or collection.

Subjects are important: Any study should have as accurate a representation as possible of the population. Participants must also be honest with researchers. These issues have to do with the researcher’s quality and the role they played in the design of this study.

How do researchers verify ethnographic quality?

Answer: There are several ways the ethnographers can assess the quality of ethnographic research.

Responsiveness is the ability to influence the behavior of others when they are aware that they are being watched. Participants may react differently if this happens. This can reduce the effect of responsiveness.

Reliability is the ability to be consistent and trustworthy. Internal consistency is achieved when data are recorded in a consistent manner over time and in different social contexts. Internal consistency is possible if data are cross-checked by the researcher. It is crucial to determine the credibility and reliability of information sources received by ethnographic researchers. Other sources of information could include omissions and propaganda, evasions, or dishonesty (Neuman, 2002). Field research is dependent on the researcher’s knowledge and awareness as well as the ability to ask the participants questions and observe the events and behaviors from different angles and perspectives.

Validity: A researcher’s accuracy in collecting and analyzing data accurately that represents the culture or lives being studied is called validity (Neuman. 2002). Ecological validity is the degree to that data collected and explained (Neuman 2003). Natural history includes the full disclosure and description of events and justifications for each researcher, as well as procedures, which can be used to help others evaluate them. If natural history can be believed by others within and outside the field, it is considered to be true. To validate the results, the researcher may also perform member checks. This allows the researcher to show the results to others in the field to determine if they are accurate and appropriate (Neuman, 2002).

Additionally, the researcher should be able and willing to work with the group. Nomological validity is possible if the results and conclusions of the study are relevant beyond the study (Angrosino 2007).