Research Guides: World Music: Books

World Music Search Tips

Try some of these search terms to get started:

Folk Music - country name:
e.g. Folk Music - Ireland

Popular Music - country name:
e.g. Popular Music - Maylasia

Music - ethnic group:
e.g. American Indians music; Lakota Indians music; Celtic music

Music style or genre:
e.g. Salsa, Jazz, Rap

Browse books on World Music in call number area ML 3545

Music Cultures in the United States
Call Number: ebook
In exploring US music cultures, this title takes a new look at the subject by focussing on cultural-historical issues. Expert writers and pedagogic material ensure the most knowledgeable account of America's musical identity.
Also in print: ML3917.U6M87 2005
Ethnomusicology: a very short introduction
Call Number: ML3798 .R53 2014
Shows how modern researchers go about studying music from around the world, analyzing data to understand how a particular musical tradition works, what is distinctive about it, and how it bears the personal, social, and cultural meanings attributed to it.

Global Music Series
Books on different regions, including the Andes, Bulgaria, India, and the Caribbean. Each book has an accompanying CD.

World Music: The Basics
Call Number: ML3545 .N54 2005
A concise introduction to popular musical styles found around the world. Organized alphabetically by region and then by country, it provides essential background information on the cultural and musical history of each area.
World Music: a global journey
Call Number: ML3545 .M54 2015
Reviews the historical, cultural, and musical overview of each region, with in-depth studies of varied musical traditions.
The Cambridge History of World Music
Call Number: ML3545 .C26 2017
Critically examines music in cultural encounter and conflict, and as the critical core of scientific theories from the Arabic Middle Ages through the Enlightenment to postmodernism.
Music and the Play of Power in the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia
Call Number: Internet Resources and Cabell Library ML3916 .M87 2009
The New Guitarscape in Critical Theory, Cultural Practice and Musical Performance
Call Number: Cabell Library ML1015.G9 D43 2010
Hip Hop Africa: New African: Music in a Globalizing World by Eric S. Charry (Editor)
Call Number: online
Publication Date: 2012

See the Music Research Guide for general tips on music searching.

Musical instrument instruction books and method series are found under the name of the instrument, with -- Instruction and Study added.

Terminology for world music description varies. You may need to use multiple terms for thorough research.

Subject terms for ethnic, national, and cultural traditions use the country name, geographic region, and ethnic tradition. Example: for Cuban music

Also try these keywords: Cuban, Latin American, Caribbean, Timba, Havana (Cuba), Latino, Hispanic, Spanish