How are audio and video recordings used to preserve Native American music?

Audio and video recordings have become essential tools for the documentation and preservation of Native American music. While the transmission of musical traditions has historically relied on oral tradition, many communities now supplement these methods with modern technology to support teaching and learning.12

Scholars began documenting indigenous music through sound recordings as early as 1890, and these recordings remain a cornerstone of ethnomusicology today. In the 21st century, the focus of such research has shifted toward:1

• Documentation: Recording current musical practices to ensure they are preserved for future generations.1
• Repatriation: Returning archival materials to the communities from which they originated.1
• Community Initiatives: Supporting local efforts to maintain and transmit musical repertories.1

These recordings serve as vital resources for preserving cultural identity, allowing communities to reaffirm their connections to the past while continuing to renew their traditions through ongoing creative processes. Major institutions, such as the Library of Congress and the Archives of Traditional Music at Indiana University, house extensive collections of these recordings.12