Significance and Methodological Deliberations on Fieldwork in Ethnomusicology

Abstract

The formal inception of ethnomusicology can be attributed to the release of On the Musical Scales of Various Nations in 1885, a work penned by Alexander John Ellis (1814 - 1890), and the origins of fieldwork in this discipline can be traced back to that time. Given the pivotal role of fieldwork in ethnomusicology, over the past century and more, ethnomusicologists, anthropologists, and scholars from diverse fields both in China and abroad have engaged in reflections, discussions, and even heated debates concerning the methodological issues in ethnomusicology, which underscores the significance of fieldwork. The first part of this paper primarily outlines the history and scope of fieldwork. The second part delves into the methodological considerations of fieldwork from both theoretical and practical perspectives. The third part explores the importance and implications of fieldwork for ethnomusicology.