Critics have pointed out that although Lomax's theories are illuminating, they are no more substantial than chance correspondences, for though there are plenty of cases that support his cantometric theories, there are just as many that subvert them. In addition, they do not take into account the perspectives of the musicians and performers. Lomax also warned of a 'cultural grey-out' the more cultural and musical systems come under the spread of the widening travel and communication networks. His particular fear was that they may be submerged by the influences of Western music. However, detailed ethnomusicological studies have refuted these forecasts.
Musical developments show myriad paths of changes and fusions with other musical systems.
Sometimes Western music is appropriated by the practitioners into their own genres of musical styles. At other times it is the technological innovations that are used to modernize different forms of music, while its distinctive musical elements are retained. Occasionally, musical styles may be hybridized with other forms of music, such as Hindi film music or reggae. These three broad dimensions are illustrated by the changes undergone in the UK since the mid-1980s with the traditionally rural Punjabi musical performance called Bhangra. Ethnomusicology has now emerged as an approach to the study of any music, providing it does so not only in terms of itself, but also in relation to its cultural context.