Why read Music of the Common Tongue?

Book cover of Music of the Common Tongue: Survival and Celebration in African American Music

Book description

In clear and elegant prose, Music of the Common Tongue, first published in 1987, argues that by any reasonable reckoning of the function of music in human life the African American tradition, that which stems from the collision between African and European ways of doing music which occurred in the…

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Why read it?

1 author picked Music of the Common Tongue as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Charles Hersch

Author

In this utterly unique book, Small contends that music does not consist of “works” but is rather an activity called “musicking” that enacts relationships – between sounds but also among the participants, including the audience. Through musicking we learn about ourselves in relationship to others, and that relationship can be one of submission (sitting quietly listening to an orchestra) or equality (jazz musicians improvising in response to each other while the audience shouts encouragement). In Small’s view, African American music enacts democratic relationships, in which all participate as equals, and individuality is enhanced rather than hindered by group solidarity.

From Charles' list on The best books on jazz’s connection to democracy.