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Music as social bonding: A cross-cultural perspective

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 September 2021

Ivan Yifan Zou
Affiliation:
Department of Music, The University of Hong Kong, 11.03 11/F Run Run Shaw Tower, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong. ivan_yfzou@connect.hku.hk
William S.-Y. Wang
Affiliation:
Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, GH144, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong. wsywang@polyu.edu.hk; https://www.polyu.edu.hk/cbs/web/en/people/staff_detail/4

Abstract

We extend Savage et al.'s music and social bonding hypothesis by examining it in the context of Chinese music. First, top-down functions such as music as political instrument should receive more attention. Second, solo performance can serve as important cues for social identity. Third, a right match between the tones in lyrics and music contributes also to social bonding.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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