Question 1

What is the single biggest suggestion you would give to someone wanting to get into this career?

Adriana Helbig · Accepted Answer

“Know what you’re getting into” in regards to time commitment, stress, and the job market. It’s extremely competitive because jobs rarely open up, plus there’s the tenure process. Once people get to where they want to be, even if it’s not perfect, “they stay there and make things work.”
Also, be organized. You might have to be a TA for 300 students. You might have to put together a concert. “You have to ask a lot of people for help.”
Find a Professor who can help you “because a Professor won’t reach out to you. I’m here to help. I’ll never not reply to your email.”

Question 2

What’s the #1 mistake people make when trying to get into this career?

Adriana Helbig · Accepted Answer

They don’t see “the overload of the job. They think you just teach music. Well, no…I don’t just teach music. It comes with a lot of responsibility.”

Question 3

What do ethnomusicologists believe?

Caleb J. Murphy · Accepted Answer

Ethnomusicologists believe humans and music are connected in a deep way. Their work requires respect, cultural sensitivity, and a commitment to understanding and appreciating the diversity of musical expressions found in the world’s cultures. Ethnomusicologists are scholars who research and analyze music from different cultures to understand the relationships between music and the societies in which it is produced and performed.

Question 4

Do you need a degree to be an ethnomusicologist?

Caleb J. Murphy · Accepted Answer

No, you don’t necessarily need a degree specifically in ethnomusicology to become an ethnomusicologist. However, having a formal education in the field can definitely help. Ethnomusicology is an interdisciplinary field that draws on knowledge from different disciplines, like anthropology, musicology, sociology, linguistics, and cultural studies.

Question 5

What do ethnomusicologists use to study music?

Caleb J. Murphy · Accepted Answer

To study music in different cultures, ethnomusicologists use a combination of music recordings, fieldwork, interviews, oral history, analysis of transcribed music, comparative studies, and digital archives.

Question 6

What is the salary range for an ethnomusicologist?

Caleb J. Murphy · Accepted Answer

The salary of an ethnomusicologist can vary widely. However, an ethnomusicologist can expect to earn, on average, $72,600 a year. But salary can range from $32,000 to $122,000.

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Ethnomusicologist