How does vernacular music differ from cultivated music?

Answer 1

Vernacular music can give a fairly decent representation of a society's cultural background and upbringings, one of the reasons for it is the production of music (and all that's related to it; dance, instruments, customs, etc.) by the society itself, while with non-vernacular music it's mainly a matter of consuming it.

In non vernacular societies music is made, shaped and sold as a product for consumption which doesn't necessarily aim for the local market. Market pressures of capitalism shape all art into becoming products. Those products which can be sold to the most buyers flood the marketplace.

Like religion, economy, and languages, vernacular music can be understood better with its opposite - formal music, taught in school or by professional teachers and taken to a level of almost science - with precise rules and methods of teaching.

Music is of course very connected to Musical Instruments, and created with them, and thus also connected to the materials the instruments are made of. Djembe drums, Bamboo flutes, or different string instruments can be made only with the appropriate materials, which can't be found naturally in all parts of the world. Considering that - the growth and use of specific types of instruments and music is almost obvious.

Answer 2

Cultivated is music that is consciously developed, meaning that composers give a lot of thought to the structure and form of a piece. Different musical periods have different characteristics of style and structure. This represent the cultivation of music. It is most closely associated with western music and with concert culture.

Vernacular music is seen as more natural. This would fall in line with folk songs, tribal music, and most native music. The songs are passed down through oral tradition, whereas cultivated music is passed down through written documents.