Tracing musical tastes in Tehran: How urbanism selects its sound

Reza Shaker Ardekani

doi:10.1080/23311886.2015.1132093

Abstract

AbstractDifferent research and theoretical approaches have been adopted in the study of music but not many have focused on the links between music and urbanism. Relying on the sociology of cultural consumption, this paper identifies different forms of urban living in Tehran by looking at the dominant Persian musical genres in urban spaces. The article categorises relationships amongst music, urban space and urbanism by employing a sociological conceptualisation at a micro level, anthropological investigations and spatial data. Generally, each major musical genre (i.e. traditional, modern/popular and fusion) mostly manifests itself in a specific urban space (i.e. teahouses, streets and coffee shops) within which a distinct form of urbanism (i.e. tea urbanism, everyday urbanism and coffee urbanism) is being practiced.

Highlights

Tracing musical trajectory in each society reveals how musical tastes have changed, and how this transformation has demonstrated itself in the social classes and spaces
This paper has argued that musical tastes depending on the cultural capital of the individuals are important for identity maintenance, self-expression, sustaining friendship networks, creating new networks and encouraging physical and social activity levels
It has tried to explain that investigating the manifestation of different musical genres in the urban spaces would shed a distinct light on exploring different ways of urban living and societal changes as well

Summary

Introduction

Tracing musical trajectory in each society reveals how musical tastes have changed, and how this transformation has demonstrated itself in the social classes and spaces. Since sociologists investigate the reciprocal impacts of music and society, music could open up windows of opportunity for recognising different urban groups and their ways of living. Reviewing the literature on musical sociology, shows that scholars have examined music from different perspectives. There are deep investigations and rich literature on music. Reza Shaker Ardekani is a research master in urban studies at the University of Amsterdam. He is interested in the sociology of consumption, taste, habit and body. Fascinated in the ubiquitous specialty coffee bars, he is investigating the human capital of the new urban middle classes in different urban settings and countries

Objectives

Conclusion