Final answer:
An ethnomusicologist studies music from cultural and social aspects, including how music is created, experienced, and its role in society. It is an interdisciplinary field closely related to cultural anthropology, encompassing the study of music traditions globally.
Step-by-step explanation:
What is Ethnomusicology?
An ethnomusicologist is a scientist who studies the music of different cultures within its social and cultural contexts. The scope of ethnomusicology extends beyond mere sound, encompassing various theoretical and methodical approaches that consider cultural, social, material, cognitive, and biological facets of musical behavior. This interdisciplinary field often overlaps with cultural anthropology, as it involves ethnographic fieldwork and the examination of music as a social practice. Ethnomusicologists may study a wide range of musical traditions, from Indigenous music to Western classical and popular music. The work of Frances Densmore, who focused on Native American music and culture, exemplifies the depth of research conducted within this field.
The importance of understanding the sociocultural context in which music is created and experienced cannot be overstated. The research might include studying the development of musical instruments, like Emily Brown's insights from Ancestral Puebloan sites, or observing music's role in the creation of subcultures and communities. Ethnomusicology is not just about the past; contemporary ethnomusicology embraces the rich diversity of global musical expressions and seeks to comprehend their significance in today's societies.