JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MUSICOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Scope & Guideline

Connecting past and present through music scholarship.

Introduction

Delve into the academic richness of JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MUSICOLOGICAL SOCIETY with our guidelines, detailing its aims and scope. Our resource identifies emerging and trending topics paving the way for new academic progress. We also provide insights into declining or waning topics, helping you stay informed about changing research landscapes. Evaluate highly cited topics and recent publications within these guidelines to align your work with influential scholarly trends.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN0003-0139
PublisherUNIV CALIFORNIA PRESS
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited States
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 1970 to 2024
AbbreviationJ AM MUSIC SOC / J. Am. Musicicol. Soc.
Frequency3 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
Address155 GRAND AVE, SUITE 400, OAKLAND, CA 94612-3758

Aims and Scopes

The JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MUSICOLOGICAL SOCIETY serves as a leading platform for scholarly discourse in musicology, emphasizing diverse methodologies and interdisciplinary approaches. The journal aims to explore the multifaceted nature of music within various cultural, historical, and social contexts.
  1. Interdisciplinary Musicology:
    The journal promotes an interdisciplinary approach to musicology, integrating insights from fields such as cultural studies, anthropology, history, and cognitive science to deepen the understanding of musical phenomena.
  2. Cultural and Historical Contexts:
    A consistent focus is placed on examining music within its cultural and historical contexts, exploring how music interacts with societal changes, politics, and identity.
  3. Emerging Music Genres and Practices:
    The journal covers a wide range of music genres, including classical, popular, folk, and experimental music, often addressing contemporary practices and their implications for music scholarship.
  4. Technological Innovations in Music:
    An emphasis on digital scholarship and technological innovations in music analysis and preservation, reflecting the evolving nature of music production and consumption.
  5. Social Justice and Music:
    The journal increasingly addresses themes of race, gender, and social justice in music, exploring how these factors influence musical creation, performance, and reception.
  6. Global Perspectives:
    The journal seeks to broaden the scope of music scholarship by including global perspectives, particularly regarding non-Western musical traditions and their interactions with Western music.
The journal has seen a dynamic evolution in its thematic focus, with several emerging trends indicating the direction of contemporary musicological discourse. The following points encapsulate these trends.
  1. Intersections of Music and Identity:
    There is a growing trend of exploring how music intersects with various aspects of identity, including race, gender, and nationality, reflecting societal movements and cultural shifts.
  2. Digital and Multimedia Scholarship:
    The rise of digital tools and platforms for music analysis and dissemination has led to an increase in articles discussing digital scholarship, multimedia projects, and the implications of technology on music.
  3. Global Music Histories:
    A notable trend is the exploration of global music histories, emphasizing the interconnectedness of musical traditions and the impact of globalization on music practices.
  4. Music and Social Justice:
    The journal is increasingly focusing on music's role in social justice movements, examining how music can be a form of resistance, expression, and community building.
  5. Cognitive and Psychological Approaches to Music:
    Emerging themes include the cognitive aspects of music perception and performance, exploring how psychological theories can enhance understanding of music's impact on individuals and societies.

Declining or Waning

While the journal has consistently explored a wide array of musicological themes, certain areas of focus appear to be waning in prominence over recent years. The following points highlight these declining themes.
  1. Traditional Classical Music Analysis:
    There is a noticeable decline in the publication of papers strictly analyzing traditional classical music forms and composers without integrating broader cultural or thematic contexts.
  2. Historical Music Theory:
    Papers solely dedicated to historical music theory concepts without contemporary relevance or interdisciplinary connections have become less frequent.
  3. Eurocentric Music History:
    The focus on Eurocentric narratives in music history is diminishing as the journal increasingly embraces global music perspectives, leading to fewer articles centered exclusively on Western musical traditions.
  4. Biographical Studies of Composers:
    While biographical studies remain relevant, there has been a shift away from purely biographical accounts towards analyses that connect composers' lives with broader social and cultural movements.
  5. Musicological Pedagogy:
    The exploration of pedagogical approaches in musicology is becoming less prevalent, with fewer articles discussing teaching methodologies or music education frameworks.

Similar Journals

MUSIKFORSCHUNG

Fostering Critical Perspectives in Musicology
Publisher: NEUWERK-BUCH UND MUSIKALIENHANDLUNGISSN: 0027-4801Frequency: 4 issues/year

MUSIKFORSCHUNG is a distinguished journal in the field of music studies, published by NEUWERK-BUCH UND MUSIKALIENHANDLUNG in Germany. With its ISSN 0027-4801, the journal caters to scholars, practitioners, and students interested in the diverse realms of musicology. Although it is currently not an Open Access publication, MUSIKFORSCHUNG plays a vital role in the academic landscape by disseminating research and critical discourse on music from various historical and contemporary perspectives. The journal has established its worth in the academic community, being categorized in the Q4 quartile in Music for 2023 and holding a rank of #169 out of 180 in the Scopus Arts and Humanities Music category, placing it within the 6th percentile. With publication activities spanning from 2002 to 2013 and resuming in 2016 through to 2024, MUSIKFORSCHUNG continues to be a crucial resource for those dedicated to advancing music scholarship. Set in the cultural heart of Kassel, Germany, the journal invites contributions that foster an understanding of music's impact on society and culture.

Journal of World Popular Music

Bridging Cultures Through the Rhythm of Popular Music
Publisher: EQUINOX PUBLISHING LTDISSN: 2052-4900Frequency: 2 issues/year

Journal of World Popular Music, published by EQUINOX PUBLISHING LTD, serves as a pivotal platform for scholars and practitioners within the evolving field of popular music studies. With an ISSN of 2052-4900, this esteemed journal has notably positioned itself within the Q2 category of Music as of 2023 and ranks at #90 out of 180 in the Arts and Humanities sector according to Scopus metrics. Spanning research from 2014 to 2023, the journal invites contributions that span diverse musical genres, cultural studies, and global perspectives, ultimately enriching the discourse surrounding the sociocultural impact of popular music. While not open access, the journal offers a robust platform for interdisciplinary research, making it indispensable for researchers, educators, and students keen on exploring the dynamics of popular music and its role in contemporary societies.

MUSIC & LETTERS

Illuminating the Intersections of Culture and Composition
Publisher: OXFORD UNIV PRESSISSN: 0027-4224Frequency: 4 issues/year

MUSIC & LETTERS, published by Oxford University Press, is a prominent academic journal that has been at the forefront of musicology and music studies since its inception in 1920. With an ISSN of 0027-4224 and an E-ISSN of 1477-4631, the journal provides a platform for scholarly articles that explore the rich interplay between music and literature, contributing significantly to the understanding of musical context, form, and societal impact. As of 2023, it holds a respectable Q3 rank in Music within its category, positioned at Rank #66 out of 180 in the Scopus Arts and Humanities Music category. Despite not being an Open Access journal, its rigorous peer-review process and commitment to high-quality research make it an essential resource for researchers, professionals, and students alike. The journal's scope encompasses various genres and historical periods, ensuring a comprehensive examination of music's role in culture and community, thereby enhancing the scholarly discourse within this vibrant field. Based in the United Kingdom, at Great Clarendon St, Oxford OX2 6DP, England, MUSIC & LETTERS continues to inspire and inform the global music scholarly community.

Resonancias

Innovating Perspectives in Music Studies.
Publisher: PONTIFICIA UNIV CATOLICA CHILEISSN: 0717-3474Frequency: 2 issues/year

Resonancias is a distinguished open-access journal published by the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, dedicated to advancing the field of music studies. With an ISSN of 0717-3474 and an E-ISSN of 0719-5702, this journal has been promoting scholarly discourse in music since its transition to open access in 2014. Resonancias serves as a critical platform for researchers, professionals, and students alike, enabling them to disseminate knowledge and explore innovative perspectives in musicology. With its current Q2 ranking in the field of music as of 2023, and a Scopus ranking of #108 out of 180, this journal exemplifies its commitment to quality and impact within the academic community, fostering an accessible database of music research from Chile and beyond. Situated at AVENIDA VICUNA MACKENNA 4860, MACUL, SANTIAGO, CHILE, Resonancias not only promotes original research but also includes critical reviews, interviews, and essays that contribute to the rich tapestry of musical knowledge.

Problemy Muzykalnoi Nauki-Music Scholarship

Fostering Insight into Music's Socio-Cultural Impact
Publisher: Gnesin Russian Acad MusicISSN: 2782-358XFrequency: 4 issues/year

Welcome to Problemy Muzykalnoi Nauki-Music Scholarship, a leading journal in the field of music scholarship published by the esteemed Gnesin Russian Academy of Music. With an ISSN of 2782-358X and an E-ISSN of 2782-3598, this Open Access journal has been committed to the dissemination of high-quality research since 2009, making scholarly work accessible to a global audience. Covering diverse aspects of music theory, history, and its socio-cultural impacts, Problemy Muzykalnoi Nauki serves as an essential platform for scholars, educators, and practitioners in the arts and humanities, as well as in social sciences related to music education. While its Scopus coverage was discontinued in 2021, the journal remains influential, holding a rank of #48 in the Arts and Humanities category and a percentile of 67th, showcasing its relevance and rigor in the discipline. We invite researchers and students alike to explore the rich contributions made within these pages, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of music in contemporary society.

Muzikoloski Zbornik

Connecting Scholars Through Musical Inquiry
Publisher: UNIV LJUBLJANAISSN: 0580-373XFrequency: 1 issue/year

Muzikoloski Zbornik is a prominent open-access journal in the field of musicology, published by the esteemed University of Ljubljana Press since 1965. Hailing from Slovenia, this journal has been dedicated to advancing the study of musical heritage, theory, and practice, serving as a vital platform for researchers, professionals, and students alike. With a notable Q2 category ranking in the field of music and a Scopus ranking of 109 out of 180 in Arts and Humanities, Muzikoloski Zbornik showcases high-quality research, fostering discourse and collaboration among scholars globally. The journal embraces a diverse range of topics, from ethnomusicology to music education, ensuring its relevance in an ever-evolving academic landscape. By providing unrestricted access to its content, it champions the dissemination of knowledge and supports the growth of the musicology discipline.

Revista Musical Chilena

Bridging Tradition and Innovation in Musical Discourse
Publisher: UNIV CHILE, FACULTY ARTSISSN: 0716-2790Frequency: 2 issues/year

Revista Musical Chilena, an esteemed publication from the Faculty of Arts at Universidad de Chile, has been a pivotal platform in the field of music and cultural studies since its inception in 1945. With a commitment to open access, this journal promotes the dissemination of innovative research and critical discourse that bridges the gap between cultural theory and musical practice. Holding a notable Q2 ranking in both the Cultural Studies and Music categories as of 2023, it serves as a vital resource for scholars and professionals alike. The journal's inclusion in the Scopus database, with rankings that reflect its influence in the arts and humanities, underscores its significance in shaping the contemporary landscape of music studies. Given its convergence of research output from 2007 to 2024, Revista Musical Chilena continues to engage its audience with diverse scholarship that reflects Chilean musical heritage and global cultural dynamics.

Opus

Exploring the Harmonies of Music Research
Publisher: ASSOC NAC PESQUISA & POS-GRADUACAO & MUSICAISSN: 1517-7017Frequency: 3 issues/year

Opus is an esteemed open-access journal published by the Associação Nacional de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação em Música in Brazil, focusing on the field of music studies. With an ISSN of 1517-7017, Opus has been dedicated to fostering innovative research since its inception and has embraced the open-access model since 2009, ensuring that its findings are readily accessible to scholars and enthusiasts globally. The journal has achieved a commendable Q2 ranking in Music as of 2023, showcasing its impact and relevance within the arts and humanities. Although currently ranked #130 out of 180 in Scopus in the music category, Opus maintains a commitment to enhancing the scholarly discourse in musicology through empirical studies, theoretical analyses, and interdisciplinary approaches. The journal's convergence over the years, from 2017 to 2024, reflects its dedication to evolving educational and research methodologies in music. Situated in the vibrant academic landscape of Campinas, SP, Brazil, Opus invites researchers, professionals, and students to contribute to its mission of exploring the multifaceted dimensions of music.

Music Theory Online

Unlocking Musical Insights: Where Theory Meets Practice
Publisher: SOC FOR MUSIC THEORYISSN: 1067-3040Frequency: 4 issues/year

Music Theory Online is a distinguished journal within the field of music, published by the Société for Music Theory. With an ISSN of 1067-3040, this open access journal has been providing valuable insights and scholarly contributions since 1993. Based in the United States, at the University of Chicago, Department of Music, it serves as a platform for rigorous research and discourse in music theory. The journal has achieved significant recognition, attaining a Q1 ranking within its category for 2023 and positioning itself at the 26th percentile among 180 journals in the Arts and Humanities, demonstrating its impact on the field. Facilitating access to cutting-edge studies, Music Theory Online aims to engage researchers, educators, and students by fostering a deeper understanding of music theory concepts and methodologies, thereby contributing to the advancement of musical scholarship.

Studia Musicologica

Cultivating Knowledge in the Art of Musicology
Publisher: AKADEMIAI KIADO ZRTISSN: 1788-6244Frequency: 4 issues/year

Studia Musicologica, published by AKADEMIAI KIADO ZRT, stands as a leading journal in the field of musicology, dedicated to the exploration and analysis of music across diverse cultures and historical contexts. With its ISSN 1788-6244 and E-ISSN 1789-2422, this journal provides an essential platform for disseminating high-quality research and critical analyses, thereby contributing significantly to scholarly discourse in music studies. Although it operates on a traditional access model, its rigor and foundational contributions ensure that it remains invaluable for researchers, professionals, and students alike. Situated in the heart of Hungary, Studia Musicologica engages with a broad spectrum of topics including music theory, ethnomusicology, and music history, fostering a deeper understanding of music's multifaceted role in society. This makes it an essential resource for anyone interested in advancing their research or professional practice within the expansive field of musicology.