research paper topics 20th century music

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• A Research Guide
• Research Paper Topics

120 Music Research Paper Topics

How to choose a topic for music research paper:.

Music Theory Research Paper Topics:

• The influence of harmonic progression on emotional response in music
• Analyzing the use of chromaticism in the compositions of Johann Sebastian Bach
• The role of rhythm and meter in creating musical tension and release
• Examining the development of tonality in Western classical music
• Exploring the impact of cultural and historical context on musical form and structure
• Investigating the use of polyphony in Renaissance choral music
• Analyzing the compositional techniques of minimalist music
• The relationship between melody and harmony in popular music
• Examining the influence of jazz improvisation on contemporary music
• The role of counterpoint in the compositions of Ludwig van Beethoven
• Investigating the use of microtonality in experimental music
• Analyzing the impact of technology on music composition and production
• The influence of musical modes on the development of different musical genres
• Exploring the use of musical symbolism in film scoring
• Investigating the role of music theory in the analysis and interpretation of non-Western music

Music Industry Research Paper Topics:

• The impact of streaming services on music consumption patterns
• The role of social media in promoting and marketing music
• The effects of piracy on the music industry
• The influence of technology on music production and distribution
• The relationship between music and mental health
• The evolution of music genres and their impact on the industry
• The economics of live music events and festivals
• The role of record labels in shaping the music industry
• The impact of globalization on the music industry
• The representation and portrayal of gender in the music industry
• The effects of music streaming platforms on artist revenue
• The role of music education in fostering talent and creativity
• The influence of music videos on audience perception and engagement
• The impact of music streaming on physical album sales
• The role of music in advertising and brand marketing

Music Therapy Research Paper Topics:

• The effectiveness of music therapy in reducing anxiety in cancer patients
• The impact of music therapy on improving cognitive function in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease
• Exploring the use of music therapy in managing chronic pain
• The role of music therapy in promoting emotional well-being in children with autism spectrum disorder
• Music therapy as a complementary treatment for depression: A systematic review
• The effects of music therapy on stress reduction in pregnant women
• Examining the benefits of music therapy in improving communication skills in individuals with developmental disabilities
• The use of music therapy in enhancing motor skills rehabilitation after stroke
• Music therapy interventions for improving sleep quality in patients with insomnia
• Exploring the impact of music therapy on reducing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• The role of music therapy in improving social interaction and engagement in individuals with schizophrenia
• Music therapy as a non-pharmacological intervention for managing symptoms of dementia
• The effects of music therapy on pain perception and opioid use in hospitalized patients
• Exploring the use of music therapy in promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety during surgical procedures
• The impact of music therapy on improving quality of life in individuals with Parkinson’s disease

Music Psychology Research Paper Topics:

• The effects of music on mood and emotions
• The role of music in enhancing cognitive abilities
• The impact of music therapy on mental health disorders
• The relationship between music and memory recall
• The influence of music on stress reduction and relaxation
• The psychological effects of different genres of music
• The role of music in promoting social bonding and cohesion
• The effects of music on creativity and problem-solving abilities
• The psychological benefits of playing a musical instrument
• The impact of music on motivation and productivity
• The psychological effects of music on physical exercise performance
• The role of music in enhancing learning and academic performance
• The influence of music on sleep quality and patterns
• The psychological effects of music on individuals with autism spectrum disorder
• The relationship between music and personality traits

Music Education Research Paper Topics:

• The impact of music education on cognitive development in children
• The effectiveness of incorporating technology in music education
• The role of music education in promoting social and emotional development
• The benefits of music education for students with special needs
• The influence of music education on academic achievement
• The importance of music education in fostering creativity and innovation
• The relationship between music education and language development
• The impact of music education on self-esteem and self-confidence
• The role of music education in promoting cultural diversity and inclusivity
• The effects of music education on students’ overall well-being and mental health
• The significance of music education in developing critical thinking skills
• The role of music education in enhancing students’ teamwork and collaboration abilities
• The impact of music education on students’ motivation and engagement in school
• The effectiveness of different teaching methods in music education
• The relationship between music education and career opportunities in the music industry

Music History Research Paper Topics:

• The influence of African music on the development of jazz in the United States
• The role of women composers in classical music during the 18th century
• The impact of the Beatles on the evolution of popular music in the 1960s
• The cultural significance of hip-hop music in urban communities
• The development of opera in Italy during the Renaissance
• The influence of folk music on the protest movements of the 1960s
• The role of music in religious rituals and ceremonies throughout history
• The evolution of electronic music and its impact on contemporary music production
• The contribution of Latin American musicians to the development of salsa music
• The influence of classical music on film scores in the 20th century
• The role of music in the Civil Rights Movement in the United States
• The development of reggae music in Jamaica and its global impact
• The influence of Mozart’s compositions on the classical music era
• The role of music in the French Revolution and its impact on society
• The evolution of punk rock music and its influence on alternative music genres

Music Sociology Research Paper Topics:

• The impact of music streaming platforms on the music industry
• The role of music in shaping cultural identity
• Gender representation in popular music: A sociological analysis
• The influence of social media on music consumption patterns
• Music festivals as spaces for social interaction and community building
• The relationship between music and political activism
• The effects of globalization on local music scenes
• The role of music in constructing and challenging social norms
• The impact of technology on music production and distribution
• Music and social movements: A comparative study
• The role of music in promoting social change and social justice
• The influence of socioeconomic factors on music taste and preferences
• The role of music in constructing and reinforcing gender stereotypes
• The impact of music education on social and cognitive development
• The relationship between music and mental health: A sociological perspective

Classical Music Research Paper Topics:

• The influence of Ludwig van Beethoven on the development of classical music
• The role of women composers in classical music history
• The impact of Johann Sebastian Bach’s compositions on future generations
• The evolution of opera in the classical period
• The significance of Mozart’s symphonies in the classical era
• The influence of nationalism on classical music during the Romantic period
• The portrayal of emotions in classical music compositions
• The use of musical forms and structures in the works of Franz Joseph Haydn
• The impact of the Industrial Revolution on the production and dissemination of classical music
• The relationship between classical music and dance in the Baroque era
• The role of patronage in the development of classical music
• The influence of folk music on classical composers
• The representation of nature in classical music compositions
• The impact of technological advancements on classical music performance and recording
• The exploration of polyphony in the works of Johann Sebastian Bach

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Music History Paper Topics

Table of contents

• 1 Music Theory Topics
• 2 Music Education Research Topics
• 3 Great Research Paper Topics on Classical Music
• 4 Interesting Topics about 20th Century Music History
• 5 Research Paper Topics on History of Jazz and African American Music
• 6 Classical Music Topics

Musical history is important not only because it shows the development of this art, but it also deals with the historical and cultural context of an era. Music is one of the most significant cultural phenomena of each generation, and it has imprinting of social values of the society it was created in.

Writing research proves the student’s writing skills and his ability to analyze and perform information, his original perspective with supporting arguments. This is a list of good and relevant 2023 music history paper topics that will inspire you and help to choose the particular vector to deliver your thoughts.

Music Theory Topics

Many of the research paper topics are based on theory and as such, have a huge role in all of this. You may need to worry about classical music, genres and so much more. These research paper topics will help you get the job done in less time and easier than ever before. All of these research paper topics are common and appealing, and they will make your research paper writing better than ever.

• All about harmony
• Understanding rhymes
• Presenting melodies to beginners
• What is composition?
• Basics and details about music theory
• What is a key signature?
• Explain the texture of the music
• Scale explained to a professional
• What is an interval?
• Explain counterpoint
• What is an extended chord?
• What is musical notation?
• A proper ear training method
• All the chord symbols explained
• What is the range?

Need help with research paper writing? Get your paper written by a professional writer Get Help Reviews.io 4.9/5

Music Education Research Topics

A research paper of this kind is probably going to be very interesting and appealing. It is based on proper and detailed music research and even musicians. Of course, these research paper topics are never easy if you fail to find a lot of sources. But you can try to find an interesting topic and start with your work today. We have covered 15 of the best ones you will want to consider for your next research paper on classical music or any other.

• Why is music education so important?
• Most successful methodologies when it comes to teaching tunes
• Differences in teaching music in 21st and 20th century
• Your experience with the lessons
• Why students should attend music education classes?
• Can you become successful with this form of education?
• What are the biggest problems of modern music education?
• How you can make music education better?
• Which classical music topics you are fascinated with?
• Can music help you study harder and better?
• Do the perks younger generations get from music?
• Benefits older people get from music
• How music education will change in the future?
• Best places to have music education in the world
• How you would teach someone about music?

Great Research Paper Topics on Classical Music

Classical music is the basis of any artistic development; it influences popular art as well and is a crucial element of the history of art. It shows the trends and innovations made previously and their relativity to the modern state of affairs.

• The Innovation of J. S. Bach in comparison to other composers of the era;
• Early music history and the development of musical instruments;
• Baroque music, main techniques, cultural meaning;
• Classical composers and film industry;
• Medieval Europe’s music and the influence of the Catholic Church;
• Strings instruments used in classic Greek songwriting;
• Classical German composers of the 18th century and their impact on further musical development;
• Mozart vs Beethoven: comparing main techniques, style and influence;
• The Deep analysis of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony;
• The role of wind instruments in an orchestra;
• How technology influenced classical melody;
• Discovering the effect classical music has on a person’s perception;
• Romantic period of the 18-19th centuries and its influence;
• The phenomena of Mozart, his style and innovation.
• The origins of classical composing.

Also, there are some more  history research topics for college students  that you can use for your college assignment.

Interesting Topics about 20th Century Music History

The 20th century brought a great variety of different musical styles, new forms of expression, and phenomena, such as popular artists, etc. There were so many innovations that one might need help with a research paper . Here are 15 music history topics that deal with the main events of the 20th century.

• Melody Development Between two World Wars
• The origins and main characteristics of country music
• How Drugs Contributed to the Development of psychedelic rock?
• Nirvana phenomenon and grunge rock
• How does radio contribute to pop songs?
• Development of the music industry: Pros and Cons of Capitalistic Perception of an Art
• Origins, influence and cultural value of Rock’N’Roll
• Comparing rational and irrational branches of the 20th century
• The connection between pop and folk melodies
• How has technology affected the new sounds of the 20th century?
• A postmodern approach to traditional songwriting
• Digital sound and the use of electronic instruments
• Freedom of the performer and the new means of the expression
• Rock, its styles and aspect
• The key features of popular songs and the message it brings

Research Paper Topics on History of Jazz and African American Music

Jazz and African American music are one of the most exciting phenomena of the 20th and the 21st century. It has a great influence to this day and has rooted in different genres.

It is crucial not only for the USA culture but for the whole music industry. Jazz is a complex and unique style that has a strong and particular influence, as well as conceptual history. It is only beneficial to write or order a research paper on this matter. Here are 15 paper topics on music history relating to it:

• The role of improvisation in Jazz performance
• L. Armstrong, his innovation and influence on the development of Jazz
• Jazz, its History and Legacy to African American culture
• How has Jazz affected American culture?
• African American musical techniques, origins, lyrics, and style
• The concept of liberation and blues
• Jazz, Blues, and the concept of identity
• Miles Davis and his influence on Jazz
• Jazz techniques in modern popular songwriting
• The phenomena of Kansas City Jazz
• Slavery, memory, and tribal roots in African American melody
• The historical context of Jazz, and its resemblance to society’s problems
• Cultural appropriation of African American tradition
• Comparative analysis of Jazz and Hip-Hop
• Jazz innovative structures and the concept of freedom

Classical Music Topics

A research paper on classical music is something you will have to write at some point. See, classical music is extremely popular and has been with us for a long time. Music research is nice and loaded with details. Hence, it is easy. All of this means that your research papers are mandatory and going to be impressive. You still need to worry about conducting proper custom research for all your research papers and even if you have to invest days into music research and find rare facts.

• All about the music of Johann Sebastian Bach
• Why this music is so important?
• Main differences compared to African music?
• All variations of the classical music
• Music and life of Beethoven
• Most impressive artists of the century
• How classical music is used in films today?
• Effect classical music has on the human brain
• Is it true that classical music boosts your IQ?
• How and why Niccolo Paganini was a different artist?
• Is classical music popular today?
• Who are the people who listen to classical music?
• Compare two composers
• Mozart: The best of the best or not?
• Symphonic music: Complete evolution

Are you struggling to find good music history paper topics? It can be difficult to pick a topic that you find interesting and that you can research thoroughly. If you’re looking for more help with your essay, consider using an essay writer service . With their expertise and resources, they will help you craft a well-researched and engaging paper.

If you’re writing a music history paper and need help finding a topic, look no further. Here are some useful topics that you can use for your paper. From the Baroque Period to the Classical period, there are many interesting topics to explore. Alternatively, you can also buy history papers from reliable sources like PapersOwl, that cover interesting topics and are written by experienced writers.

When looking for a good topic, you can always find inspiration in the artist you like to listen to, the origins of one particular style or historical era that fascinates you. If you need help with an assignment for your college, we are providing assistance for any type of task and subject. We guarantee satisfaction with completely unique paper and timely delivery.

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20th- & 21st-Century Music: A Guide to Research and Resources

• Introduction
• Search Strategies
• Genres & Repertoire
• Books & Catalogs

Key Journals

Music periodical databases.

• Composers & Publishers
• Performance Practice & Performers
• Contemporary Music Review
• Perspectives of New Music
• Twentieth-Century Music
• 21st Century Music

Use these resources primarily to find print and online articles, reports, notices,  reviews, and other writings on the music industry published in music journals, trade publications, and magazines.

• RILM Abstracts of Music Literature with Full Text This link opens in a new window Covers all aspects of music, including historical musicology, ethnomusicology, instruments and voice, dance, and music therapy. If related to music, works in other fields, such as literature, dramatic arts, visual arts, anthropology, sociology, philosophy and physics are included. 1967+
• Music Periodicals Database This link opens in a new window Indexes music journals covering a broad scope of research from performance, theory and composition to music education, jazz and ethnomusicology. Provides selected full text coverage of the most important music journals, and both scholarly and popular publications.
• Music Index with Full Text This link opens in a new window Includes international music periodicals covering classical, popular and world of music. Comprehensively cites articles and news about music, musicians and the music industry as well as book and concert reviews and obituaries. 1970+ more... less... Print volumes covering 1949-1972 are available in Mendel Music Library: Reference (SV) ML 118 M84.
• << Previous: Books & Catalogs
• Next: Composers & Publishers >>
• Last Updated: Sep 9, 2024 2:30 PM
• URL: https://libguides.princeton.edu/20th-21st-century-music

HMU432: Topics in Twentieth-Century Music

• Encyclopaedias and other Reference Works
• Music Research Databases
• Social, Political, and Cultural Resources
• Streaming/Media Services
• Searching Hacks
• Chicago-style Citations

Instruction Librarian and Adjunct Professor

Researching Music in the 20th and 21st centuries

T here are a number of great sources to help you research music in the 20th and 21st centuries. Here is short, curated list of some of the resources most directly relevant to your subject area and available online through the University of Toronto Libraries.

How to Get Help

You are welcome to reach out to the Music Library and get research help to explore your topic more in depth. You can get reference help at the front desk  Monday-Friday 10 am to 4 pm  You're also welcome to make an appointment with me using the contact information on this page.

You can chat with a librarian or book a research consultation, all from our  home page !

You can contact the Music Library virtually through our social media: @UofTMusicLib on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

• Last Updated: Jan 17, 2024 5:08 PM
• URL: https://guides.library.utoronto.ca/hmu432

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Characteristics of 20th Century Music: An Introduction

One of the most important developments in 20 th Century classical music was the effective dissolving of tonality. The entire system of keys that had dominated the musical landscape since the late Renaissance was by many composers, ultimately dismissed in favor of what would become known as ‘serialism’.

In the early part of the 20 th Century, Austrian born composer Arnold Schoenberg found that he had reached a harmonic impasse, and he needed a solution. Tonality was no longer able to provide Schoenberg with the musical possibilities that it used to. The extreme Chromaticism in the music of Richard Wagner , for example, made the concept of tonality and tonal centers in music virtually void. Schoenberg took the next step and invented his own system of musical organization that gave each of the twelve notes of the chromatic scale equality. This immediately dissolved the tonal system, and with it came a sound-world that pushed music into an increasingly dissonant existence.

Characteristics of 20th Century Music

Serialism produced a revolution in musical history that has not been paralleled since. In many ways, it reflected the troubled times that Western Europe was facing with the advent of the First World War and then in 1939 the start of the Second World War. Music became increasingly angular, harsh, and difficult to hear, and even though the music of the late Romantic composers continued in the work of Elgar, Finzi, Britten, Howells, and Sibelius to name but a few, the path that 20 th Century music was now following was radically different.

The orchestra as a medium for the outpourings of 20 th Century composers continued to be a highly popular one. In terms of size of the orchestral forces, they closely resemble that of the late 19 th Century with the regular inclusion of alto or tenor saxophone(s), an immensely diverse collection of percussion that often included instruments from across the world. What continued the development of the orchestra during the 20 th Century is how it used. The technical demands made by many composers on orchestra musicians became as extreme as new principles on many of the compositions were being conceived. Extended playing techniques became commonplace in order to further expand the sonic possibilities and to create more adventurous soundscapes ever.

As the 20 th Century progressed, the introduction of electronics into the orchestral setting. This could include the use of pre-recorded tape, synthesizers, or amplification and sound manipulation or processing. This result, in many cases, was too far removed from what 20 th Century audiences were comfortable with listening to. This kind of avant-garde music passed into the realms of purely academic music out of the reach of most who did not have a Ph.D. in music. In some ways, this was because not only had the tonal system vanished in these compositions, but the familiar and expected timbres that would traditionally come from an orchestra were also altered to a point, in some cases, of being unrecognizable.

The complexities of many 20 th Century compositions included more sophisticated levels of rhythmic invention ever. ‘Polyrhythms’ (many rhythms) were a feature of some 20 th Century compositions that generated such densely woven textures as to render the option to follow a melody or harmonic progression impossible. While Stravinsky makes highly effective use of polyrhythms in his ballet ‘The Rite of Spring’, that is still texturally comprehensible. Composers who followed him like Morton Feldman, Michael Finissy, Eliot Carter, and Brian Ferneyhough derived what came to be known as the ‘New Complexity’.

Many of the compositions that came from these composers are incredibly challenging to understand, although fascinating to see in a notated score. Music also began to include completely new systems of tuning, where the division of the octave into 12 equal parts was superseded by ‘microtonal’ options regularly, including quarter-tones and sixth-tones. To an ear used to listening to the work of Mahler, Tchaikovsky, or Bruckner, this sound-world posed a significant number of questions.

Complexity and experimental music were not the only avenues that composers of the 20 th Century explored. In the USA, for example, the rise of the ‘minimalist’ school of composition quickly took hold of many emerging composers as well as audiences. In a nutshell, the concept of minimalism was the polar opposite of the composers’ aspirations of the new complexity. Minimalism takes its inspiration from Bali and Java’s music, also many cases the sound of the Gamelan. It uses the idea of layering ostinati to generate a musical piece.

These repeating patterns can be both rhythmic and melodic, with their harmonic focus still with its feet in the tonal spectrum. The minimalists employ a wide variety of rhythmic devices to maintain interest in their compositions, including one of the most common, ‘phasing’. In essence, this device displaces a musical phrase by a short interval, putting it either behind or in front of any sounding material. It is a kind of ‘Doppler effect’.

A considerable number of minimalist works explore similar sonorities through entirely new combinations of instruments and voices. This, in turn, gives this type of music a unique sound.

Steve Reich’s ‘Drumming Music’ (1970/71), is an excellent example of this and inspired following the composers to visit Ghana.

‘Music for Pieces of Wood’ is a further excellent example of the use of a homogenous ensemble and many of the smart compositional techniques that this composer uses so well. From the work of many minimalist composers, including John Adams has come to a redefinition of what music can be and how it could be listened to and performed. Some composers like Michael Nyman have made a successful career in the world of film. Such as the accessibility of numerous compositions from this school of thought.

Other composers delved further into indigenous music from their homeland. Bartok and Vaughn-Williams were two composers who spent significant time exploring and recording what can broadly be considered to be folk tunes from their respective countries. Shostakovich included Russian songs in his symphonic works satirically and at enormous risk to himself and his family during the reign of Stalin. The French composer Olivier Messiaen turned to bird song for inspiration and his own scheme of harmonic and melodic creation that embodied his deep spirituality. There is an enormous and abundant quantity of 20 th Century music to explore with something for everyone to discover and enjoy.

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The Top 10 Most Interesting Music Research Topics

Music is a vast and ever-growing field. Because of this, it can be challenging to find excellent music research topics for your essay or thesis. Although there are many examples of music research topics online, not all are appropriate.

This article covers all you need to know about choosing suitable music research paper topics. It also provides a clear distinction between music research questions and topics to help you get started.

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What makes a strong music research topic.

A strong music research topic must be short, straightforward, and easy to grasp. The primary aim of music research is to apply various research methods to provide valuable insights into a particular subject area. Therefore, your topic must also address issues that are relevant to present-day readers.

Also, for your research topic to be compelling, it should not be overly generic. Try to avoid topics that seem to be too broad. A strong research topic is always narrow enough to draw out a comprehensive and relevant research question.

Tips for Choosing a Music Research Topic

• Check with your supervisor. In some cases, your school or supervisor may have specific requirements for your research. For example, some music programs may favor a comparative instead of a descriptive or correlational study. Knowing what your institution demands is essential in choosing an appropriate research topic.
• Explore scientific papers. Journal articles are a great way to find the critical areas of interest in your field of study. You can choose from a wide range of journals such as The Journal of Musicology and The Journal of the Royal Musical Association . These resources can help determine the direction of your research.
• Determine your areas of interest. Choosing a topic you have a personal interest in will help you stay motivated. Researching music-related subjects is a painstakingly thorough process. A lack of motivation would make it difficult to follow through with your research and achieve optimal results.
• Confirm availability of data sources. Not all music topics are researchable. Before selecting a topic, you must be sure that there are enough primary and secondary data sources for your research. You also need to be sure that you can carry out your research with tested and proven research methods.
• Ask your colleagues: Asking questions is one of the many research skills you need to cultivate. A short discussion or brainstorming session with your colleagues or other music professionals could help you identify a suitable topic for your research paper.

What’s the Difference Between a Research Topic and a Research Question?

A research topic is a particular subject area in a much wider field that a researcher chooses to place his emphasis on. Most subjects are extensive. So, before conducting research, a researcher must first determine a suitable area of interest that will act as the foundation for their investigation.

Research questions are drawn from research topics. However, research questions are usually more streamlined. While research topics can take a more generic viewpoint, research questions further narrow the focus down to specific case studies or seek to draw a correlation between two or more datasets.

How to Create Strong Music Research Questions

Strong music research questions must be relevant and specific. Music is a broad field with many genres and possible research areas. However, your research question must focus on a single subject matter and provide valuable insights. Also, your research question should be based on parameters that can be quantified and studied using available research methods.

Top 10 Music Research Paper Topics

1. understanding changes in music consumption patterns.

Although several known factors affect how people consume music, there is still a significant knowledge gap regarding how these factors influence listening choices. Your music research paper could outline some of these factors that affect music consumer behavior and highlight their mechanism of action.

2. Hip-hop Culture and Its Effect on Teenage Behavior

In 2020, hip-hop and RnB had the highest streaming numbers , according to Statista. Without a doubt, hip-hop music has had a significant influence on the behavior of young adults. There is still the need to conduct extensive research on this subject to determine if there is a correlation between hip-hop music and specific behavioral patterns, especially among teenagers.

3. The Application of Music as a Therapeutic Tool

For a long time, music has been used to manage stress and mental health disorders like anxiety, PTSD, and others. However, the role of music in clinical treatment still remains a controversial topic. Further research is required to separate fact from fiction and provide insight into the potential of music therapy.

4. Contemporary Rock Music and Its Association With Harmful Social Practices

Rock music has had a great influence on American culture since the 1950s. Since its rise to prominence, it has famously been associated with vices such as illicit sex and abuse of recreational drugs. An excellent research idea could be to evaluate if there is a robust causal relationship between contemporary rock music and adverse social behaviors.

5. The Impact of Streaming Apps on Global Music Consumption

Technology has dramatically affected the music industry by modifying individual music consumption habits. Presently, over 487 million people subscribe to a digital streaming service, according to Statista. Your research paper could examine how much of an influence popular music streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music have had on how we listen to music.

6. Effective American Music Education Practices

Teaching practices have always had a considerable impact on students’ academic success. However, not all strategies have an equal effect in enhancing learning experiences for students. You can conduct comparative research on two or more American music education practices and evaluate their impact on learning outcomes.

7. The Evolution of Music Production in the Technology-driven Era

One of the aspects of music that is experiencing a massive change is sound production. More than ever before, skilled, tech-savvy music producers are in high demand. At the moment, music producers earn about $70,326 annually, according to ZipRecruiter. So, your research could focus on the changes in music production techniques since the turn of the 21st century.

8. Jazz Music and Its Influence on Western Music Genres

The rich history of jazz music has established it as one of the most influential genres of music since the 19th century. Over the years, several famous composers and leading voices across many other western music genres have been shaped by jazz music’s sound and culture. You could carry out research on the influence of this genre of music on modern types of music.

9. The Effect of Wars on Music

Wars have always brought about radical changes in several aspects of culture, including music styles. Throughout history, we have witnessed wars result in the death of famous musicians. If you are interested in learning about music history in relation to global events, a study on the impact of wars on music will make an excellent music research paper.

10. African Tribal Percussion

African music is well recognized for its unique application of percussion. Historically, several tribes and cultures had their own percussion instruments and original methods of expression. Unfortunately, this musical style has mainly gone undocumented. An in-depth study into ancient African tribal percussion would make a strong music research paper.

Other Examples of Music Research Topics & Questions

Music research topics.

• Popular musical styles of the 20th century
• The role of musical pieces in political movements
• Biographies of influential musicians during the baroque period
• The influence of classical music on modern-day culture
• The relationship between music and fashion

Music Research Questions

• What is the relationship between country music and conservationist ideologies among middle-aged American voters?
• What is the effect of listening to Chinese folk music on the critical thinking skills of high school students?
• How have electronic music production technologies influenced the sound quality of contemporary music?
• What is the correlation between punk music and substance abuse among Black-American males?
• How does background music affect learning and information retention in children?

Choosing the Right Music Research Topic

Your research topic is the foundation on which every other aspect of your study is built. So, you must select a music research topic that gives you room to adequately explore intriguing hypotheses and, if possible, proffer practically applicable solutions.

Also, if you seek to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Music , you must be prepared to conduct research during your study. Choosing the right music research topic is the first step in guaranteeing good grades and delivering relevant, high-quality contributions in this constantly expanding field.

Music Research Topics FAQ

A good music research topic should be between 10 to 12 words long. Long, wordy music essay topics are usually confusing. They can make it difficult for readers to understand the goal of your research. Avoid using lengthy phrases or vague terms that could confuse the reader.

Journal articles are the best place to find helpful resources for your music research. You can explore reputable, high-impact journal articles to see if any research has been done related to your chosen topic. Journal articles also help to provide data for comparison while carrying out your research.

Primary sources carry out their own research and cite their own data. In contrast, secondary sources report data obtained from a primary source. Although primary sources are regarded as more credible, you can include a good mixture of primary and secondary sources in your research.

The most common research methods for music research are qualitative, quantitative, descriptive, and analytical. Your research strategy is arguably the most crucial part of your study. You must learn different research methods to determine which one would be the perfect fit for your particular research question.

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The Eastman theory faculty pursues a broad range of research interests, including Schenkerian theory, studies in the theory and analysis of 20th-century music, history of music theory, musical perception and cognition, computing and music, and jazz and other popular music. An annual lecture series serves to expand research horizons still further. Guest lecturers have included David Huron, Philip Ewell, Joseph Straus, Mark Spicer, Ellie Hisama, Robert Hatten, Jocelyn Neal, Daniel Harrison, Yayoi Uno Everett, Michael Klein, Danny Jenkins, and John Roeder. Student-organized theory symposia provide opportunities for students to present papers and share research in progress. Graduate students present their work at regional and national conferences, as active contributors to the discipline. They also edit and publish, with the assistance of an editorial board of prominent music theorists, a juried music theory journal entitled Intégral .

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Student Research Assistance Fund (SRAF)

Due to generous faculty and alumni donations to a new fund in support of student research, applications are invited from music theory students for grants to support specific research projects. Grants will typically be made in amounts of $300 or less.

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Students are expected to utilize funding sources already available to them (e.g., Professional Development Funds) prior to applying for SRAF funding.

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20th Century: Impressionism, Expressionism, & Twelve-Tone

Music of the 20th century.

Let’s begin the study of our final historical period with an overview of major trends and composers from the era. As you read this page, please pay special attention to the fact that this description focuses on compositional techniques and very little is said about dominant genres. The 20th century was clearly a period of widespread experimentation and many composers wanted the freedom to explore new compositional approaches without the restrictions and expectations that accompany traditional genres. Even when longstanding genres were used, composers felt very comfortable abandoning the traditional structures of those genres.

At the turn of the century, music was characteristically late Romantic in style. Composers such as Gustav Mahler, Richard Strauss and Jean Sibelius were pushing the bounds of Post-Romantic Symphonic writing. At the same time, the Impressionist movement, spearheaded by Claude Debussy, was being developed in France. The term was actually loathed by Debussy: “I am trying to do ‘something different—in a way realities—what the imbeciles call ‘impressionism’ is a term which is as poorly used as possible, particularly by art critics”—and Maurice Ravel’s music, also often labelled with this term, explores music in many styles not always related to it (see the discussion on Neoclassicism, below).

Figure 1. Arnold Schoenberg, Los Angeles, 1948

Many composers reacted to the Post-Romantic and Impressionist styles and moved in quite different directions. The single most important moment in defining the course of music throughout the century was the widespread break with traditional tonality, effected in diverse ways by different composers in the first decade of the century. From this sprang an unprecedented “linguistic plurality” of styles, techniques, and expression. In Vienna, Arnold Schoenberg developed atonality, out of the expressionism that arose in the early part of the 20th century. He later developed the twelve-tone technique which was developed further by his disciples Alban Berg and Anton Webern; later composers (including Pierre Boulez) developed it further still. Stravinsky (in his last works) explored twelve-tone technique, too, as did many other composers; indeed, even Scott Bradley used the technique in his scores for the Tom and Jerry cartoons.

After the First World War, many composers started returning to the past for inspiration and wrote works that draw elements (form, harmony, melody, structure) from it. This type of music thus became labelled neoclassicism. Igor Stravinsky ( Pulcinella and Symphony of Psalms ), Sergei Prokofiev ( Classical Symphony ), Ravel ( Le tombeau de Couperin ) and Paul Hindemith ( Symphony: Mathis der Maler ) all produced neoclassical works.

Figure 2. Igor Stravinsky

Italian composers such as Francesco Balilla Pratella and Luigi Russolo developed musical Futurism. This style often tried to recreate everyday sounds and place them in a “Futurist” context. The “Machine Music” of George Antheil (starting with his Second Sonata, “The Airplane”) and Alexander Mosolov (most notoriously his Iron Foundry ) developed out of this. The process of extending musical vocabulary by exploring all available tones was pushed further by the use of Microtones in works by Charles Ives, Julián Carrillo, Alois Hába, John Foulds, Ivan Wyschnegradsky, and Mildred Couper among many others. Microtones are those intervals that are smaller than asemitone; human voices and unfretted strings can easily produce them by going in between the “normal” notes, but other instruments will have more difficulty—the piano and organ have no way of producing them at all, aside from retuning and/or major reconstruction.

In the 1940s and 50s composers, notably Pierre Schaeffer, started to explore the application of technology to music in musique concrète. The term electroacoustic music was later coined to include all forms of music involving magnetic tape, computers, synthesizers, multimedia, and other electronic devices and techniques. Live electronic music uses live electronic sounds within a performance (as opposed to preprocessed sounds that are overdubbed during a performance), Cage’s Cartridge Music being an early example. Spectral music (Gérard Grisey and Tristan Murail) is a further development of electroacoustic music that uses analyses of sound spectra to create music. Cage, Berio, Boulez, Milton Babbitt, Luigi Nono and Edgard Varèse all wrote electroacoustic music.

From the early 1950s onwards, Cage introduced elements of chance into his music. Process music (Karlheinz Stockhausen Prozession , Aus den sieben Tagen ; and Steve Reich Piano Phase , Clapping Music ) explores a particular process which is essentially laid bare in the work. The termexperimental music was coined by Cage to describe works that produce unpredictable results, according to the definition “an experimental action is one the outcome of which is not foreseen.” The term is also used to describe music within specific genres that pushes against their boundaries or definitions, or else whose approach is a hybrid of disparate styles, or incorporates unorthodox, new, distinctly unique ingredients.

Important cultural trends often informed music of this period, romantic, modernist, neoclassical, postmodernist or otherwise. Igor Stravinsky and Sergei Prokofiev were particularly drawn to primitivism in their early careers, as explored in works such as The Rite of Spring and Chout . Other Russians, notably Dmitri Shostakovich, reflected the social impact of communism and subsequently had to work within the strictures of socialist realism in their music. Other composers, such as Benjamin Britten ( War Requiem ), explored political themes in their works, albeit entirely at their own volition. Nationalism was also an important means of expression in the early part of the century. The culture of the United States of America, especially, began informing an American vernacular style of classical music, notably in the works of Charles Ives, John Alden Carpenter, and (later) George Gershwin. Folk music (Vaughan Williams’ Five Variants of Dives and Lazarus , Gustav Holst’s A Somerset Rhapsody ) and Jazz (Gershwin, Leonard Bernstein, and Darius Milhaud’s La création du monde ) were also influential.

In the latter quarter of the century, eclecticism and polystylism became important. These, as well as minimalism, New Complexity, and New Simplicity, are more fully explored in their respective articles.

• Authored by : Elliott Jones. Provided by : Santa Ana College. Located at : http://www.sac.edu . License : CC BY: Attribution
• History. Provided by : Wikipedia. Located at : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th-century_classical_music#History . License : CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike