Comparative Musicology: Understanding the World's Music

This lecture by the instructor explores the evolution of music and the unity and diversity found in music worldwide. Recent advances in cross-cultural comparison and new scientific methods are discussed to answer questions about the origins of music. The lecture emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach combining qualitative methods from musicology and anthropology with quantitative methods from natural sciences. It also addresses contemporary issues such as music copyright law and UNESCO policy. The presentation showcases the application of computational techniques and theories from computer science, psychology, genetic anthropology, and cultural evolution in comparative musicological research.