Historical:
* The influence of African drumming rhythms on the development of jazz in New Orleans. (Focuses on a specific style, location, and cultural influence)
* The use of electronic music in the Soviet Union during the 1970s. (Focuses on a specific genre, country, and time period)
* The evolution of the "power ballad" in the 1980s. (Focuses on a specific genre and time period)
Genre-Specific:
* The use of counterpoint in Renaissance choral music. (Focuses on a specific musical technique and era)
* The role of improvisation in free jazz. (Focuses on a specific subgenre and a musical element)
* The influence of video game music on contemporary electronic dance music. (Focuses on a specific genre and a source of influence)
Technical:
* The development of the tempered scale in Western music. (Focuses on a specific musical system)
* The use of dynamics in orchestral music. (Focuses on a specific musical element)
* The effect of different microphone placements on the recording of a guitar. (Focuses on a specific instrument and recording technique)
Cultural:
* The role of music in traditional Native American ceremonies. (Focuses on a specific culture and its musical practices)
* The impact of hip hop music on the youth culture of the 1990s. (Focuses on a specific genre and its cultural impact)
* The use of music in political campaigns. (Focuses on the relationship between music and politics)
Other:
* The musicality of birdsong. (Focuses on a specific non-human form of music)
* The use of music therapy for patients with dementia. (Focuses on the practical applications of music)
* The impact of social media on the music industry. (Focuses on the relationship between music and technology)
Remember, a narrow topic should be focused enough to be manageable within the scope of a research paper or presentation. It should be interesting and relevant, but not too broad or general.