Final Blog

One thing that we learned about that really intrigued me is the gamelan. I just think that it is such an interesting concept. I like that each piece is part of a whole and how each piece matches all of the others.

One thing that I realized about our own culture is the fact that every instrument and genre of music is in some way tied to some other culture. I find it fascinating that music evolves. The world is smaller and more interrelated than we sometimes think.

This course has definitely inspired me to travel more when I have the opportunity. I can't wait to see all of the parts of the world and experience all of the different cultures. This class has reminded me how much of the world is foreign to me. I can't wait to explore!

Cool Stuff #3

This shows how much our world has fusion. This blues event takes place in a cave in Austria.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdDk-5Vxx1E

Here is a video of a gamelan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vezWaMh3M0

Here's a video of a traditional Japanese Bon Dance taking place at a mall.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=du_2AqKzJN4

Music and Society

I researched the protest songs of the 1960’s in the U.S. since my parents were in college during that time. I also looked at the protest songs during the Depression.

During the 1960’s, there were a lot of protest songs due to the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, and the growth of the Hippies. A lot of the musicians were crying out for peace and trying to find a better way. Some of the great songs that came out of this era are Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” and John Lennon’s “Give Peace A Chance”. The chaos in the world led to a reflective, subdued, and positive type of music. A lot of songs seem to be asking people to stop and think about what is going on around them.

During the Depression in the 1920’s and 1930’s, the protest songs were about something completely different. Since there was so much poverty and a rise of labor movement and unions, songs seemed to be focused on the harsh realities in the country. Songs were used to protest working conditions and to recruit people that would help support the cause. A folk singer Aunt Molly Jackson sang with some coal miners in Kentucky who were striking in 1931. She also wrote protest songs such as "Hungry Ragged Blues" and "Poor Miner's Farewell”. During the time period, songs began to protest racism as well. African American blues singers were beginning to have more of a voice and impact. One protest song is Leadbelly's "The Bourgeois Blues”.

According to Wikipedia, a sociologist R. Serge Denisoff said that the five goals of protest songs are as follows.
pointing to some problem in society, usually in emotional terms
presenting a solution to that problem in terms of action and a desired goal
reinforcing the value structure of individuals involved with the movement
attempting to recruit individuals by arousing outside sympathy and support
creating moral unity and uniqueness in its world view.

It’s interesting to see how history along with politics and society impact the types of music from an era.

Cool Stuff #2

Here's an awesome video. It just goes to show that music can be made out of anything like what we've talked about in class.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhQe1nEx4fo

I think this video is great.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DD4LdU6zUSI&feature=email

Here's another example of cultures blending.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkemGswLwTk

Music and Rites

Music accompanies every rite that I can think of and have been a part of during my life. It also plays an important role, and I can’t really imagine what the rites would be like without the music.

Obviously, there are traditional weddings with Pachelbel’s Canon. However, I have been to many weddings that seem to be a bit more personalized in terms of the music used. The last wedding that I went to had a few guitar numbers played by two people. I’ve also been to a wedding in Charleston that had local Gullah music being sung by actual Gullah people.

In terms of funerals, I haven’t noticed a traditional song that is played for the most part. I have noticed a few “Amazing Grace” numbers, which I love because it reminds me of my Grandpa. One funeral that I attended a couple people sang the country song “When I get to where I’m going”, which was very moving.

I haven’t really run across a particular song for births. But there is of course “Happy Birthday”, which I have heard being sung by family and friends at every birthday party I’ve ever been to I believe. Birthdays would feel incomplete without it.

I’ve also never been to a graduation without that song. I’m not sure what it’s called, but it never fails that this song will play at any graduation.

The rites that I can think of would just not be the same without music of some kind. It’s almost like you can’t have one without the other. Some of the music may be traditional, and some of the music may be untraditional. But music just seems to set the tone for the particular ceremony.

Music and Religion

Music and religion have intersected in my life in many ways over the years. Music plays a different, large role in each of these ways.

I grew up going to a Presbyterian church here in the United States. We would sing from a hymn book with a choir at the front. Even as a little girl, I could feel the importance of those hymns.

In Europe as a young girl, I attended a Catholic school. Music was an integral part of any service. Even if you just walked into a Catholic church on the street, music would always be playing.

With my present religious experiences, I find that music has a bit more of a modern feel since I attend a non-denominational church. As opposed to having a choir in the front of the church, there is a small group of song leaders at the front with microphones. There is also a band at the front, which is very unlike any other church I’ve ever attended. The music has much more a rock and roll feel. Instead of a hymn book, the words to the songs are projected onto two very large screens in the front.

Throughout all of my religious experiences, the common thread is that the music is used for worship. Rather than being used for entertainment, the music in the churches that I’ve attended has been used for people to relate to and become closer to God.

As far as aesthetics, I don’t really think that the music that I’ve grown up with at church has had a direct effect on what type of music I find pleasing today. The only factor that I can think of would be the rounded timbre. I do find that I am very drawn to the music in my current church. It pleases me aesthetically.

Cool Stuff!

Here's a cool video showing how a Native American flute is made.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PXRkUyeUvY

Here's a link with all types of Native American drums and rattles. It kind of tells you what they are each made of as well. It's also a site where one can go to purchase a drum.

http://www.sunreed.com/NativeAmericanDrums.htm

Here is a Native American Church Prayer song. There is definitely a steady beat or pulse like we've been talking about. I can also hear a falling contour.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-K17TaxG5k

Music and Movement

Music and movement are very much related to me. I don’t see how movement can happen without music.

I grew up taking ballet, tap, jazz, and modern ballet. Everything from bar exercises to actual performances did not happen without music. I learned early on that in order for the dancing to “fit” the music, I had to learn what movements happened on what beats. I realized that I need to listen to the music rather than just dance. I began to appreciate and understand the importance of music of all types. I suppose, in this sense, I would say that the music takes precedence over the movements. Movements rely on music in my opinion.

Even with clapping and other hand movements, music is an integral part that can’t be left out. What do you clap to if you don’t have music? Sure one can clap a beat, but it is much easier and more fun with music.

I participated in yoga for a couple years as well. My instructor played relaxing Eastern music while we moved through the various positions. We held a position for a certain amount of measures and then moved into another position. I think we even learned to breathe to the music.

As far as informal dancing goes for me, I don’t think I could dance or move without music. I wouldn’t know where to begin or how to move on a dance floor or in my living room without music! When I’m in my car and listening to a great song, I can’t help but tap the beat or move in some way. However, I don’t see myself moving around in my car without music.

So, in other words, I believe that true movement cannot occur without music and that they are related in every way. Movement relies on music.

My Musical Autobiography

The experiences that I have with music in diverse cultures are limited to the time that I spent living in France, in restaurants , and exposure through people in my life among a few other experiences.

While living in France as a little girl, I listened to the music on the radio. Although, a lot of the music was actually American. As best as I can remember it, the European music on the radio seemed to be kind of peppy with a strong 80's feel. My family and I traveled throughout Europe while we lived in France. I especially remember when we traveled to Spain where we heard flamenco music and watched flamenco dancers accompanied by Spanish guitars and palmas.

I enjoy music in Mexican restaurants with Mariachi bands visiting each table and playing a song. I also love the mood that the music in Italian restaurants creates.

With my Dad's favorite music being the Beatles, I grew up listening to this inventive English rock group and loved every minute of it. Their music alone not only ranges in genres but also incorporates diverse cultural music.

One of my best friends is half Colombian, and I've had the privilege of listening to her mother's cultural music. She used to sing my friend and I a nursery-like rhyme that I almost have memorized because it is so amazing.

My boyfriend is from Guam, and I have been exposed to his Pacific Island music which is so beautiful and relaxing to me with the tropical beat. He plays the ukulele. I believe its roots are in Hawaii and is a spin-off of an instrument brought over by Portugal immigrants.

I also took a class about Native American (specifically the Lakota Native Americans) religion, and I had just a little exposure to some of the music performed in rituals. The drums and definite beats are mesmorizing and hypnotizing to me.