Article

The Mongrel Metaphor: An Arts Practice Response to Understanding Musical Hybridization

Matthew ‘Mattu’ Noone

Published in: Ethnomusicology Ireland 4 (2016)

Pages: 1-23 | Published Online: June 2016

https://doi.org/10.64208/DMDP3384

Abstract

Drawing on a transdisciplinary arts practice and ethnomusicological methodology, this article explores the metaphor of ‘mongrelity’ as a potential salient characterization of musical hybridity. By focusing on an extended practice-based case study of Irish Traditional and North Indian classical music, this research explores ethnomusicological theory on ‘world music’ from a performer’s perspective. It draws upon reflexive self-narrative, autoethnography and musicological analysis in an attempt to understand the complexities of being a performer in an inter-cultural milieu. Through invoking the mongrel metaphor, this article hopes to challenge the notion of cultural purism and open a discussion about the terminology we use to describe musical traditions and genres. It is also the aim of this article to argue for the possible benefit of arts practice in ethnomusicology and also show how the ethnographic rigor and theoretical frames of ethnomusicology may be incorporated into performance based research.

Keywords: Hybridity, world music, Irish traditional music, Indian classical music, arts practice

Author: Matthew ‘Mattu’ Noone