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What is Ethnomusicology?
The field of study known as "ethnomusicology" was established in the 1950s, although interest in the music of other cultures began centuries ago. Twentieth-century advances in recording technology fostered the development of ethnomusicology by allowing field recordings to be produced and studied extensively.
The definition of ethnomusicology is under constant scrutiny by its practitioners, but as a starting point, it is the study of structure and function of music around the world, and across cultures. According to H. Meyers, ethnomusicology is "the study of music in its cultural context". Ethnomusicologists use methodologies from anthropology and sociology to study the musics of different cultures around the world.
What are primary sources in ethnomusicological research?
Primary sources in ethnomusicology include field recordings (audio and/or video), interviews, journals, letters and reports.
The Garland encyclopedia of world music by 
Ethnomusicology : a guide to research by 
Ethnomusicology : historical and regional studies by 
Worlds of music : an introduction to the music of the world's peoples by 
The anthropology of music by 
Comparative musicology and anthropology of music : essays on the history of ethnomusicology by Defining music : an ethnomusicological and philosophical approach by 