musicology

mu·si·col·o·gy

noun \ˌmyü-zi-ˈkä-lə-jē\

Definition of MUSICOLOGY

: the study of music as a branch of knowledge or field of research as distinct from composition or performance

— mu·si·co·log·i·cal \-kə-ˈlä-ji-kəl\ adjective

— mu·si·col·o·gist \-ˈkä-lə-jist\ noun

Origin of MUSICOLOGY

Italian musicologia, from Latin musica music + -logia -logy

First Known Use: 1909

Rhymes with MUSICOLOGY

cosmetology, etymology, genealogy, martyrology, phraseology, radiology

musicology

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Scholarly and scientific study of music. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, such study was done by amateurs such as Ludwig von Köchel. As interest in earlier music grew, greater professionalism was required, including the ability to decipher and assess musical manuscripts and historical documents. Musicology's first great monument was the first edition of Johann Sebastian Bach's complete works (1851–99). The scope of musicology may be summarized as covering the study of the history and phenomena of music, including (1) form and notation, (2) biography, (3) the development of musical instruments, (4) music theory (harmony, melody, modes, etc.), and (5) aesthetics, acoustics, and physiology of the voice, ear, and hand. In recent decades music theory has again become a separate specialization.