Things To Consider As You Review this Sample Outline
1. The table on page 20 of your textbook is intended to help you get started on your
research paper.
2. Notice that the sample outline below is a combination of listing certain facts and
asking questions.
3. You can use the outline to list only facts (AND/OR)…
4. You can use the outline to generate your interview questions if you intend to interview
people as part of your fieldwork and research (AND/OR)
5. You can use the outline to organize the question or questions you intend address in
your paper.
6. Note: Use the outline according to your topic. Your paper is relatively short in
length, so you might realistically only focus on one of the categories. For example:
Ideas about music, activities involving music, repertoires of music or material culture of
music.
7. This sample outline is intentionally broad to illustrate the different approaches you
might take to getting organized.
8. If I were writing about a very specific subject (less broad than the sample outline
illustrates) I would submit something like the following to satisfy my final project outline
assignment:
Topic: The transmission of oral traditions: How is flamenco handed down from
generation to generation?
E. TRANSMISSION
– flamenco is not written down, but rather communicated via oral transmission and
handed down from generation to generation
– the availability of flamenco music transcriptions is relatively new
– How is flamenco dance taught in Spain?
– How is flamenco guitar taught in Spain?
– How is flamenco singing taught in Spain?
– How is flamenco guitar, song and dance taught in the U.S.?
I’m going to present a brief history of flamenco to contextualize the art form. For my
research, I’m going to interview the members of a local flamenco group.Sample Interview Questions:
-How did you become interested in flamenco?
-What nationality or ethnicity are you?
-Did your family members perform flamenco when you were growing up?
-How did you learn flamenco dance?
-How did you learn flamenco guitar?
-Do you find it challenging to learn flamenco while living in Upstate NY?
-How does dancing, singing, playing flamenco make you feel?
Final Project Outline Example
Subject: Performing Identity
Topic: Flamenco Performance as a Manifestation of Spanish Culture
I. IDEAS ABOUT MUSIC
A. Music and the belief system:
– What is flamenco?
– Is flamenco Spanish? Is it Gypsy?
– Who “owns” flamenco?
– Is it an expression of nationalism?
– Does the flamenco performance support or challenge the ‘status quo’?
– Does one have to be Spanish to perform flamenco?
– How do non-Spaniards perceive themselves and their contributions to the flamenco art
form?
B. Aesthetics of music:
– Do the various flamenco palos express particular emotions?
– What is ‘duende’?
– Why does flamenco appeal to non-Spaniards?
C. Contexts for music:
-flamenco is associated with the Andalusian region of southern Spain
-flamenco performed in private/family settings
-flamenco performed in tabloas
-flamenco performed in concert halls
D. History of music
-Flamenco is a blend of many different cultures that were in Andalusia in the 15th
century: Gypsy, Andalusian or Spanish, Arabic, Jewish.
-Flamenco’s “Golden Age” 1860-1910
-Opera Flamenca 1920-1936
-Spanish Civil War 1936-1939Franco’s Dictatorship = the “dark years for flamenco” 1936-1975
II. ACTIVITIES INVOLVING MUSIC
-singing or playing palmas with babies or young children
-family gatherings
-juergas
III. REPERTORIES OF MUSIC
A. STYLE
– much of the music is in Phrygian mode
– ‘compas’ or rhythm rules in flamenco
– singing or ‘cante’ is very emotional and gritty sounding
B. GENRES
-palos: solea, siguiriyas, alegrias, farruca, bulerias, tangos, rumba
C. TEXTS
– flamenco lyrics can be very simple and lighthearted or they can demonstrate deep
emotion
D. COMPOSITION
– flamenco is considered an ‘improvised’ art form
E. TRANSMISSION
-flamenco is not written down, but rather communicated via oral transmission and handed
down from generation to generation
– the availability of flamenco music transcriptions is relatively new
– How is flamenco dance taught in Spain?
– How is flamenco guitar taught in Spain?
– How is flamenco guitar and dance taught in the U.S.?
F. MOVEMENT
– flamenco dance or ‘baile’ is a key element of the art form
IV. Material Culture of Music
– the guitar is the main instrument in a traditional flamenco performance
– the cajon drum is a relatively recent instrument in the flamenco ensemble
– the dancer’s heelwork is very percussive and nails hammered into the toe and heel of the
dancer’s shoes contribute to the percussive sound
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