Musical Ethnography

So, after much searching and agonized consideration, I chose Polka Music for my Musical Ethnography.Although polka is not a major genre in the Dallas, Ft. Worth area, there is still a small and dedicated fan base. KNON, a small independent radio station, plays polka music on Sunday afternoons. Personally, I have heard Polka music being played live at two area restaurants. I will form the min body of my paper from these two examples of polka culture in the area. I know that many people will choose music that they have grown up with or are otherwise familiar with. I wished to research a music that I know virtually nothing about because it would give me the opportunity to do explore a different culture and not feel weird about "intruding" into an others culture.Polka music is much more common in cities with larger German and Eastern European populations such as Austin and San Antonio. However, the few German and Eastern Europeans in the area have held on to some vestige of their traditional music. Although I am unfamiliar with polka, the instrumentation and the musical structure are very similar to traditional Mexican Music. The use of the accordion is prominent in both. As well are the rhythms and beats. So polka, although new to me, will still be cognizant for me. Polka, in other words wont be totally alien, and thus won’t be as easy to ride off as a curiosity.