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Research in Music
Research in Music
Music research analyzes the primary source first and foremost, however, secondary sources can also be used to provide support to the points raised. Where secondary sources are used, they must be used to support your own line of argument and not act as a substitute for it. An awareness of the value and limitations of the primary source(s) used is also required.
Primary vs. Secondary Sources
Primary vs. Secondary Sources
Useful Research Resources
Useful Research Resources
Our Library Services (Sign-in with Google):
Gale OneFile: Informe Académico - Revistas y periódicos académicos de y sobre América Latina
Destiny Discover - our library online catalog
Free-ish Online Resources:
We do not have subscriptions to these resources, but most offer a limited number of sources for free. If there is a source that you want and cannot access, contact your librarian. We can often find the same source through a different service.
Musicmap | The Genealogy and History of Popular Music Genres
Brad Sharp Historically-Significant Art (Classical) Music Listening List
IMSLP/Petrucci Music Library: Free Public Domain Sheet Music
Useful Resources for Questionnaire or Interview Methodologies
Research Questions and Methodologies
Research Questions and Methodologies
Music research should focus on the primary work being written about, but can also benefit from the use of questionnaires or interviews. Methodological approaches may follow one of these types:
An evaluation based on accepted a musical analysis approach.
An analysis based on a socio-cultural or historical approach.
Examples
Examples
The music of Astor Piazzola. What is the significance of Piazzola’s New Tango style in the development of the genre?
An analysis of the harmonic, melodic, rhythmic and stylistic elements in “Libertango” by Astor Piazzola to identify important characteristics of his new tango style (musical analysis).
A brief summary of the history of tango to identify how the characteristics have transformed the genre (eg literature review).
An investigation into how the identified characteristics have impacted upon the further development of the style (eg literature review, musical analysis, interview with composers).
Ennio Morricone’s film music. What compositional techniques support characterization in the music Ennio Morricone wrote for the film The Mission?
A study of pitch, motives, orchestration and texture used in three pieces from the soundtrack to The Mission (musical analysis).
An investigation to determine and discuss how Ennio Morricone’s use of musical elements and compositional devices support characterization in the film (eg comparative analysis, questionnaires, literature review).
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