worship, for political purposes, and others. W. W. Norton proudly presents Soundscapes, the first textbook to organize the study of music the way most people encounter it—by the roles it plays in their lives and communities. Through a series of illuminating case studies, students learn the fundamentals of music by exploring the social and cultural settings of different "soundscapes" —that is, musical traditions—from around the world, all of which either migrated to or originated in North America. The text embraces the diverse musical identities, tastes, and sound worlds present in our society and encourages students to participate in the soundscapes that surround them.

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