{"product_id":"the-garland-handbook-of-southeast-asian-music-regional-studies","title":"The Garland Handbook of Southeast Asian Music - Regional Studies","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of The Garland Handbook of Southeast Asian Music, the reviewer finds a rich, scholarly resource ideal for readers seeking a comprehensive introduction to the musical cultures of Southeast Asia. Compiled from essays originally in The Garland Encyclopedia of World Music, Volume 4, this handbook has been largely revised and updated to provide detailed regional studies and context. The single biggest reason to buy is the handbook's combination of historical, political, and social perspectives with focused country-by-country essays that illuminate how \u003cstrong\u003emusic shapes identity\u003c\/strong\u003e across the region.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCollected essays:\u003c\/strong\u003e Revised essays from a major encyclopedia deliver authoritative background and scholarship on Southeast Asian music traditions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRegional coverage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Part two offers focused studies on mainland countries such as Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam, helping readers explore national and local musical forms.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContextual framing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Part one examines issues like colonialism, mass media, spirituality, and war, which gives vital historical and social perspective to the musical topics.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUpdated material:\u003c\/strong\u003e Largely revised and updated essays reflect more recent scholarship than the original 1998 volume, improving relevance for current study.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInterdisciplinary approach:\u003c\/strong\u003e Essays bridge musicology, anthropology, and cultural studies so readers gain broader insight into how music relates to identity and society.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Garland Handbook of Southeast Asian Music is best suited to students, researchers, and educators who need a reliable, essay-based reference for regional musical cultures and the social forces that shape them. It is also useful for musicians and cultural professionals seeking informed background on traditions from Cambodia to Singapore.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThose wanting a beginner's primer with simple how-to guides or a compact, popular introduction to listening might look elsewhere; this handbook is academic in tone and organized around scholarly essays rather than step-by-step introductions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComprehensive regional essays provide depth on individual countries and minority traditions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStrong contextual chapters connect music to colonialism, media, spirituality, and conflict.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRevised content increases relevance for contemporary study compared with the original encyclopedia entries.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAcademic tone and essay format may feel dense for casual readers seeking a light introduction.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe Garland Handbook of Southeast Asian Music\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEditors\/Authors\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTerry Miller, Sean Williams\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSource\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEssays from The Garland Encyclopedia of World Music: Volume 4, Southeast Asia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eContent\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLargely revised and updated regional and thematic essays\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRegional focus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMainland Southeast Asia and select island areas including Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Burma, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHistorical, political, social, and musicological perspectives\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Garland Handbook of Southeast Asian Music is a solid academic resource for anyone needing detailed, regionally organized essays and strong contextual analysis of how music reflects identity across Southeast Asia. It represents good value for students and scholars who want authoritative background and updated scholarship, though casual readers may prefer a lighter, more popular introduction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this book suitable for undergraduate courses?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Its essay format and contextual chapters make it useful as course reading for musicology, ethnomusicology, and Southeast Asian studies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it cover all Southeast Asian countries?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt provides extensive coverage of mainland countries and selected island areas, with essays on Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Burma, Peninsular Malaysia, Vietnam, and Singapore.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it a practical how-to guide for musicians?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. The handbook is scholarly and focuses on cultural, historical, and social analysis rather than practical instruction.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Terry Miller, Sean Williams","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48767879053531,"sku":"0415960754","price":97.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/51T-lPsFPxL._SL1252.jpg?v=1778645292","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/the-garland-handbook-of-southeast-asian-music-regional-studies","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}