• 1. 'The complexity of folk music': evolution, invention and diffusion in music; 2. 'The impress of personality in unwritten music': music as a means of communication and ethnomusicology as social science; 3. 'Irregular rhythms': movement, dance, music and ritual; 4. 'The world's most lovely melodies': form and feeling in unwritten music; 5. Democratic polyphony: political and musical freedom; 6. 'the goal of musical progress': music as work or as leisure?; 7. 'Let all the world hear all the world's music': popular music-making and music education; Appendix A. A common sense view of all music Percy Grainger; Appendix B. Musical transcription Percy Grainger; Notes; Bibliography; Index.

'For those who wish to question current thought and practice in Western musical life and education, Blacking's testimony will be essential reading.' Music Teacher