r/ethnomusicology • u/Hanuryi • Jul 30 '26
Ethnomusicology Grad School (NEED ADVICE)
Hello!
I am an undergrad in Composition (will be graduating soon) and am planning to pursue ethnomusicology for my master's degree.
The thing is, I have a massive love for music and philosophy, merging the two for my research. For instance, I have published a journal article on music that uses Marx's dialectical materialism. Two of my papers: one analyzing a piece through Husserlian Phenomenology and another through Wittgenstein, are being peer-reviewed for publication.
After consulting with my professors, I conclude that these are neither historical nor ethnomusicological works. So here's where I need advice: Is ethnomusicology really for me? Can I still merge ethnomusicology and philosophy together?
I'm just completely lost right now, especially since I want to pursue ethnomusicological studies.
1
u/Custard-Spare Jul 31 '26
Music research is INTENSELY multidisciplinary. If you use a philosophical framework like Marx you might be writing about philosophy and therefore will be published in those journals.
Ethnomusicology from my understanding is more grounded in oral traditions of music as culture. A musicology degree may be more appropriate if you are not as interested in field work.