Listening to the Field: A Practical Introduction to Ethnomusicological Research
Description
How can we observe a musical tradition beyond its songs and rhythms? What do we hear, what do we see, and what do we ultimately choose to record when we’re in the field?
This two-day workshop offers a practical introduction to ethnomusicological and field research. It is aimed at students and young researchers, as well as musicians, instrumentalists, and people who engage with tradition through lived experience and wish to acquire basic tools for observing, recording, and organizing their material.
On the first day, we’ll explore basic concepts of field research and put them into practice right away: through a brief multimodal exercise in observing the space—using words, sound, photography, sketching, and video—and through a real-life encounter and interview. We’ll explore what changes when we observe, listen, ask questions, and document using different media.
On Saturday, the workshop moves to Parakalamos. For 90 minutes, participants will conduct a short field study, supplementing some pre-prepared material while also creating their own documentation. This will be followed by a joint presentation and discussion of the different “fields” that emerged.
Friday & Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Certificates of participation will be issued.
Alexandros Rizopoulos
Alexandros Rizopoulos (Musician, Ethnomusicologist, PhD) was born in Ioannina (1982), received his musical training in Thessaloniki, and lives in Athens. His music is associated with both the traditional and the art music scenes. For years, he has focused on the study of percussion in festive performances. He has composed music for interdisciplinary productions (Aurekios the Messenger) and is active as a recording artist primarily with the groups Alenti, People of the Wind, and “Sima Vounou” (solo performance). He teaches traditional percussion in the Department of Music Studies at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.