Why have many non-Western vocal traditions from before sound recordings been lost?

Many non-Western vocal traditions from before the era of sound recordings have been lost primarily because they relied on oral tradition rather than comprehensive written documentation.12

Unlike Western classical traditions, which developed a system of musical notation to record specific details like pitch, rhythm, and tempo, many other cultures prioritized the creative role of the performer. In these traditions, any existing notation often served only as a suggested framework rather than a fixed work. Because performers frequently re-created music through improvisation and subtle nuances—elements that cannot be accurately captured by Western notation—the music was not preserved in a way that allowed for later reconstruction.12

Furthermore, the lack of recording technology meant that these performance practices were vulnerable to being forgotten once the practitioners were gone. The subsequent influence of Western musical concepts in the 20th century also threatened the survival of many indigenous practices, making the documentation provided by early audio recordings essential for the field of ethnomusicology.213