The sociology of musical networks

Abstract

This review examines the current state of sociological music study. It demonstrates how sociologists excel at identifying social networks and survival strategies of musicians. It is argued that the sociology of music is invaluable to our knowledge about the social conditioning of musical practices and the development of community ties through shared musical experiences. Two recent publications, More Than Two to Tango: Argentine Tango Immigrants in New York City and The Sociology of Wind Bands: Amateur Music between Cultural Domination and Autonomy are analyzed separately and shown to exemplify contemporary trends in this field. These authors effectively argue that music enables communities to navigate issues of ethnic identity, age, race, class, and gender. For this reason, the study of musical practices should not be divorced from their social contexts.