Carlin2026b
| Carlin2026b | |
|---|---|
| BibType | INCOLLECTION |
| Key | Carlin2026b |
| Author(s) | Andrew P. Carlin, Rod Watson |
| Title | Taking the stage: an announcement of topics |
| Editor(s) | Peter Tolmie, Dave Randall, Mark Rouncefield, Andy Crabtree |
| Tag(s) | EMCA, Music |
| Publisher | Routledge |
| Year | 2026 |
| Language | English |
| City | Abingdon, Oxon |
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| Pages | 116–133 |
| URL | Link |
| DOI | 10.4324/9781003358886-7 |
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| Howpublished | |
| Book title | Ethnomethodological Studies of Music |
| Chapter | |
Abstract
In this chapter we use an ‘ethnomethodological imagination’, or the ‘analytic mentality’ of ethnomethodology, to examine an essential and constitutive part of live musical performance. We narrow our attention to the assembly of musicians – walking on to the stage in front of an audience. On the basis of the analytic mentality used to address the data, we show that taking the stage involves what Garfinkel calls naturally occurring, naturally organized activities. Taking the stage is a complex of actions, including greetings, opening sequences, adjustments to music equipment and mic stands, etc., checks on the readiness of each performer on stage, which preface the commencement of live shows. Focusing on these “seen but unnoticed” features of musical performance enables an analysis that eschews bias towards either music production or music appreciation, which is a common feature in extant considerations of the social organization of music, as we find both elements of this dichotomy are present in performances. Empirical data include our viewings of YouTube videos of live music performances, which allow us to discuss the acceptability and formats of data for use in ethnomethodological studies; and allow readers to adjudge the adequacy of our analyses with reference to data sources.
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