Rethinking Music through Science and Technology Studies

This volume explores the relationship between music and science and technology through the lens of recent works in science and technology studies (STS). It suggests that facts are not absolute but emerge from a collective process of construction. Applied to music, this approach enables the reconciliation of human, social, factual, and technological aspects, opening up new areas of inquiry in musicology and sound studies. The book discusses key areas of music study impacted by STS, such as organology, sound studies, music history, and epistemology, raising methodological and epistemological questions about the study of music.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 09 January 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book explores a fresh perspective on the study of music by examining recent developments in science and technology studies (STS). STS scholars argue that facts are not absolute truths but rather emerge through a complex and collaborative process. Applying this lens to music studies, we can reconcile the diverse aspects of the musical world, including human creativity, social interactions, factual information, and technological advancements. This approach opens up new avenues for research in musicology and sound studies, enabling us to understand music in its broader context.

The book is organized into four sections, each focusing on a key area of music study that is influenced by STS:

Organology: This section explores the history, development, and cultural significance of musical instruments. It examines how STS approaches can help us understand the materiality, craftsmanship, and social implications of instruments.

Sound Studies: This section examines the acoustic properties of music and how they are shaped by technology. It explores the ways in which STS can help us understand the production, reproduction, and reception of sound in various musical contexts.

Music History: This section explores the ways in which music history is constructed and interpreted. It examines how STS approaches can help us understand the role of power, ideology, and cultural norms in shaping musical traditions and practices.

Epistemology: This section examines the philosophical and methodological challenges of studying music. It explores how STS can help us develop new approaches to understanding music as a cultural phenomenon and as a form of knowledge.

Throughout the book, scholars from various disciplinary backgrounds contribute their insights and perspectives, offering a comprehensive and interdisciplinary examination of the relationship between music, science, and technology. This book will be valuable to scholars interested in the intersections of music, culture, and technology, as well as those studying music from a variety of disciplinary perspectives.

Weight: 562g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367767723