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.
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I must first say, keep the boyfriend. American guys are so overated! I love how your exposure to other cultures seems more hands on than say mine for example.Your times in France must have been beautiful and Mexican food with real live Mariachi bands makes for some pretty good entertainment. As much as our parents can sometimes be a pain, a quick swipe of some of their music collection can sometimes open up a world of possibilities and can also help with communication into the world that was back then.
ReplyDeleteYou were in France? That is awesome. I visited England when I was much younger, but I am afraid I do not remember too much.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like France and Japan are trying to catch up with the "popular" music at the same time! The Japanese music only just started to sound like American 90's pop and rock.
Oh, and definately keep the boy.
-Lynn
Really interesting, Kelly. Do you find that our brief discussions about Native American religions mesh with your study of the Lakota? And what was your family doing in France? My husband and I lived in Belgium for a year after we got married, and I think we must have ferried every one of our family members down to Paris!
ReplyDeleteDr. Vaneman- I do find that a lot of what we're talking about does correlate closely with what I learned in the Lakota religion class. It's all very interesting. My family and I went to France because of my Dad's job. What an educational experience!! Did you enjoy your time in Belgium?
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