[FA Worldmusic] categorically labelled

[Kutay Kugay]

I agree that the meaning of the term "world music" is nebulous. Yet  
it has come to mean something to some people, especially in certain  
geographic/demographic areas.

I prefer the term "music of the world" essentially meaning (music  
originating from the peoples of the entire world) not necessarily a  
genre but a description.

Kutay

On Aug 15, 2007, at 2:06 PM, Steve Hochman wrote:

> and some of the technical terms that are floated here for discussing
> music really only have meaning in context. and what is that context?
> it's reference points, be they comparisons to other music ("the band
> had a Stones-like sound") or a category.
>
> The problem is that the term "world music" really means nothing.
> "Blues"? sure, we can identify some essential characteristics that
> apply. "Reggae"? ditto. "Jazz" has become more complicated, but still
> by and large gives some sense of what's being talked about, at least
> as a starting point. But what are the essential characteristics of
> "world music"?
>
>
>
> -----------------------------------
> Check out my column:
> http://www.spinner.com/category/around-the-world/
> -----------------------------------
>
> On Aug 15, 2007, at 2:00 PM, Paul Harding wrote:
>
>>>> So in the end, if we eliminate labels and categories,
>>>> how do we talk about music?
>>>
>>> Easy: talk about _music_. Rhythm, harmony, melody,
>>> instrumentation,
>>> arrangement, composition, structure, timbre,
>>> functionality, etc.  etc.
>>
>> Most people don't have the background/knowledge to talk
>> about music in these terms.  Many music writers don't even
>> use this sort of academic language well, if at all. (maybe
>> they don't trust their audience to understand it?)
>>
>> I look forward to a year where this topic doesn't come up.
>>
>> Labels/categories suck, but it's a huge part of how people
>> communicate.  Whether it be the dualistic "music is either
>> good or bad", the geographic category of nation, stylistic
>> category of genre, or something that doesn't have a
>> literal meaning but a reasonably understood meaning like
>> "world music", we categorize to communicate.
>>
>> -Paul
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