Why study music? How much practical use is it in the modern world? This introduction proves how studying music is of great value both in its own terms and also in the post-university careers marketplace. The book explains the basic concepts and issues involved in the academic study of music, draws attention to vital connections across the field and encourages critical thinking over a broad range of music-related issues. - Covers all main aspects of music studies, including topics such as composition, opera, popular music, and music theory - Provides a thorough overview of a hugely diverse subject, from the history of early music to careers in music technology, giving a head-start on the areas to be covered on a music degree - New to 'neume'? Need a reminder about 'ripping'? - glossaries give clear definitions of key musical terms - Chapters are carefully structured and organized enabling easy and quick location of the information needed

An Introduction to Music Technology, Second Edition provides a clear overview of the essential elements of music technology for today s musician. This book focuses on the topics that underlie the hardware and software in use today: Sound, Audio, MIDI, Computer Notation, and Computer- Assisted Instruction. Appendices cover necessary computer hardware and software concepts. Written for both music technology majors and non-majors, this textbook introduces fundamental principles and practices so students can learn to work with a wide range of software programs, adapt to new music technologies, and apply music technology in their performance, composition, teaching, and analysis.

Features:

• Thorough explanations of key topics in music technology
• Content applicable to all software and hardware, not linked to just one piece of software or gear
• In-depth discussion of digital audio topics, such as sampling rates, resolutions, and file formats
• Explanations of standard audio plug-ins including dynamics processors, EQs, and delay based effects
• Coverage of synthesis and sampling in software instruments
• Pedagogical features, including:
• • Further Reading sections that allow the student to delve deeper into topics of interest
  • Suggested Activities that can be carried out with a variety of different programs
  • Key Terms at the end of each chapter

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  • What Do I Need? "Chapters covering the types of hardware and software needed in order to put together Audio and MIDI systems
  • A companion website with links to audio examples that demonstrate various concepts, step-by-step tutorials, relevant hardware, software, and additional audio and video resources.

The new edition has been fully updated to cover new technologies that have emerged since the first edition, including iOS and mobile platforms, online notation software, alternate controllers, and Open Sound Control (OSC)."

This collection brings together for the first time essays on postmodernism and music and covers a wide range of musical styles including concert music, jazz, film music, and popular music. Topics include:
* the importance of technology and marketing in postmodern music
* the appropriation and reworking of Western music by non-Western bands
* postmodern characteristics in the music of Gorecki, Rochberg, Zorn and Bolcom as well as Bjork and Wu Tang Clan
* issues of music and race
* comparisons of postmodern architecture to postmodern music.

Focus: Music of South Africa provides an in-depth look at the full spectrum of South African music, a musical culture that epitomizes the enormous ethnic, religious, linguistic, class, and gender diversity of the nation itself. Drawing on extensive field and archival research, as well as her own personal experiences, noted ethnomusicologist and South African native Carol A. Muller looks at how South Africans have used music to express a sense of place in South Africa, on the African continent, and around the world. Part One, Creating Connections, provides introductory materials for the study of South African Music. Part Two, Musical Migrations, moves to a more focused overview of significant musical styles in twentieth-century South Africa -- particularly those known through world circuits. Part Three, Focusing In, takes the reader into the heart of two musical cultures with case studies on South African jazz and the music of the Zulu-language followers of Isaiah Shembe. The accompanying downloadable resources offer vivid examples of traditional, popular, and classical South African musical styles.