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Hi again,

I can't comment too much on exactly what you should do, since your situation is very different from how mine was. But just as one mode/example, the paper that I used as my writing sample was a research paper I had written for an independent study, in which I discussed different kinds of music notation in Japan for traditional instruments. It was a synthesis of material based on library research, not fieldwork, but it was my first big paper where I discussed music and the ways people think about it to that degree.

For other more general preparation/info about the field, I'd suggest checking out Bruno Nettl's book The Study of Ethnomusicology for a basic idea of some of the things we are interested in, and maybe if you can take a look at books that have won the SEM's Alan Merriam prize, which means that the SEM considers them the cream of the crop in our discipline. You might also check out recent volumes of journals like Ethnomusicology and Latin American Music Review to see what are some current topics that scholars are talking about.

A list of the affected posts in chronological order:

• Why was music created? by Trigorin
  
  
• How to deal with "ethnocentric musical" people? by Splichiku
  
  
• I have "Worlds of Music" (Jeff Tinton, 2009). Anyone want it? by soundtrain
  
  
• Looking past exoticism in Ethnomusicology by Hail_Adventurer_16
  
  
• Question for researchers and performers- novel inside. by yepmek
  
  
• Bayaka's music | African Music by lanature
  
  
• This Austrian Folk music sounds like Hawaiian music I've heard. Is this a coincidence? by What_is_it
  
  
• Where to study Ethnomusicology? by [deleted]
  
  
• Tibetan Throat Singing by operationhotbrother
  
  
• My friend and I are debating which cultures to research by CaptainCooksCat
  
  

I find black metal interesting for a wide variety of reasons. First of all, I am attracted to its sonic aesthetic, like you have been. It's immersive and cathartic, and I think its suited to express a certain set of emotions in a way no other style can. In addition, I think it is a shining example of the post-modern condition. It fits seamlessly into models of modernity from many social theorists. It is the rejection of Lyotard's metanarrative (casting aside "traditional heritage" (music, religion, you name it), expressing distrust for community/national leaders, etc.). It is the result of Durkheim's 'anomie' and an example of Simmel's urban subculture predictions. People all over the world are using this music as a vehicle to express misanthropy, hopelessness, anxiety, hate, and a profound frustration with the modern condition, yet are connecting with one another in carving out this subcultural niche. And it's not all about hate! A lot of black metal is about more than just rejecting or retreating, it's about offering up alternative philosophies/advocating people go decide what matters to them, and stressing personal responsibility.

Beyond that, as with every globalized musical style, space still plays an important role, and it is interesting to note idiosyncrasies. Local/regional folklore plays into black metal a lot, especially with NSBM (not unlike German Volkskunde), and it is interesting to see this co-opted (***note: I'm not an NSBM fan!)

I also just want to study it because it's an opportunity to connect with people who share something with me, however arbitrary what we share may be.

If you're interested, there have been a number of great recent publications on heavy metal. Check out this, this, this, this, this

Edit: grammar

Man, I live in India, am hindu and I've never seen these. I guess I'm going to join you on the hunt

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Edit: found an amazon link

These guys too - they're on alibaba as well, so they should ship internationally

I would be cautious about classifying chanteys as music of the British Isles. Despite popular portrayal in various media and in the Anglo folk revival, most evidence points to Black American/Caribbean workers as their chief originators and practitioners. This recent book is essential reading on the topic.