Blog Assignment #1

If you have grown up in the United States, please tell me how you learned the SSB & what does this song mean to you?

I learned the Star-Spangled Banner when I was in kindergarten. My class had to sing the anthem at a production that was put on. I remember that learning this song was something that was taken serious and taught in a way like it was history. For me, this song represents the feeling of honor and freedom. The SSB makes me think about all the men and women that have sacrificed their lives so that this country can be safe. I think that our National Anthem is about trying to bring all Americans together to become connected through being proud to be apart of this country.

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Blog Assignment #2

Do you prefer the Gottschalk version of the SSB, or the South City Voices version of the SSB?  Why or why not? Can you hear the slight change of harmony that Stravinsky uses in his version of the SSB? (You may not clearly hear this – it’s a very slight difference to what we are used to hearing.) Do you feel that either Stravinsky or Hendrix’s versions of the SSB are offensive?  Why or why not?  Why do you think people may have been offended at the time either of these versions were performed? 

I prefer the South City Voices version of the Star-Spangled Banner, because it is more traditional than the Gottschalk version. I also find hearing the lyrics more enjoyable than just the instruments. To me, the harmonies in the South City Voices Version are much more appealing than the other version. When I listen to Stravinsky’s version I think I hear the harmony change during the end with an extra chord being added to the song. I would say that Hendrix’s version was offensive because the music did not sound like the traditional SSB, it had been changed too much to recognize the song throughout the whole set. I do not feel that Stravinsky’s version of the SSB is offensive because the melody of the song was not changed, only part of the harmony was. During the time of those performances, I think that people were offended because changing the National Anthem would be considered unpatriotic. Also Stravinsky was a Russian, which might have upset many when he tried to put his own mark into the National Anthem.

Blog Assignment #3

Did you like listening to this excerpt? Why or why not?  Is melody an important factor in this film music?  What does this music make you think or feel? (Even if you do not know the plot to the Star Wars movies.) How does this music make you feel?  Do these 2 excerpts from the Star Wars films have more of an impact on you because you can relate to them in a more modern sense, compared to Hildegard’s musical excerpt? Can you still appreciate Hildegard’s music even if you are not as comfortable with listening to it?  Why or why not? 

I found this excerpt to be enjoyable to listen to, which was not my first impression. After listening to it multiple times, I could hear the emotion put into the piece. I liked how their were different vocalists for each of the different parts to show each of the Virtues. Being a big fan of the Star Wars franchise, I grew up listening to these pieces of music in the movies so I appreciate how the music sets the scene and creates a stronger feeling in the moment. When I listen to Princess Leia’s theme song, I feel a sense of pain or hurting with a hint of hope and strength. I believe that melody is a very important factor in this film’s music because it has to create a feeling in the scene for a better affect. It has to be something that everyone wants to hear and doesn’t distract the audience from the movie. When I listen to the Imperial March song, it gives a feeling of determination and anger. For me, I can relate more to the two excerpts from the Star Wars films because I have grown up listening to them. There is more of a connection for me in them rather than listening to Hildegard’s music because I am less comfortable with what the music is trying to say. I can and do still appreciate Hildegard’s excerpt because I can tell that Hildegard cared a lot about making the piece of “Play of Virtue.” There was a lot of effort put into the piece to make it produce a strong feeling of emotions. I thought that the excerpt from Hildegard’s was one that made me step out of my comfort zone in the sense of music but I found it to be very pleasant to listen to.

Blog Assignment #4

Did you like the Eagle Dance example?  Why or why not?  What did you notice about the vocal quality?  Is this the kind of vocal sound we expect when we listen to any recorded piece of music for pleasure?  Does it help to view the dancers to experience this music as opposed to listening to the music by itself?  Why or why not? Did you enjoy watching and listening to this video?  How are the vocables different from the Eagle Dance?  How does this music make you feel compared to the Eagle Dance? 

I thought that the Eagle Dance was a good insight into a different culture. Even though I did not really understand what the song was trying to say, I can still appreciate the song. The vocal quality of this piece is low in the sense that it is chanting most of the same words over and over. This is not the kind of vocal sound that I would expect when I listen to recorded music for pleasure. If I wanted to listen to music, this would not be my first choice as a go to. I think I find it more enjoyable when I got to watch the dance that went along with the song and I found it more relatable after watching the dancers. The dancers and the music were able to form a better story and presentation than just the music itself. I found the Bobby McFerrin’s piece very enjoyable to watch and listen to. It is a very unique and interesting way to preform in front of an audience. The vocables are different because Mcferrin is improvising which means he is making it up as he goes, but the Eagle Dance is a very practiced piece that has been passed down through the years. The McFerrin’s music made me feel excited and happy. It was a light hearted piece that was performed with a sense of ease and happy-going.

Blog Assignment #5

Name your piece in this blog post and describe the main melody or melodies in the music you chose. Also, discuss the texture of the piece you chose.  It might be one texture throughout your piece, OR it may change. 

For my music choice, I decided to choose Hotel California by The Eagles. I thought that this piece was full of good examples of the elements of music and was one that I have heard multiple times growing up. The main melody, is Bm, F#, A, E, G, D, Em, and F#. The form of the song goes intro, intro, verse, verse, chorus, verse, verse, chorus, verse, verse, solo, solo, solo, lead line, lead line, and like most rock songs in that era, the song ends in a long fade. The verse has a couple of large leaps while the chorus only has small leaps, but stays steady throughout the song. The main texture that occurs the most during this song is homophonic, but the song starts with a monophonic guitar melody. Throughout the song the texture changes multiple times. The song starts with monophonic, then goes to homophonic, and then ends with a polyphonic texture.

Blog Assignment #6

Do you enjoy listening to these 2 Renaissance examples?  Why or why not?  Does the word painting help you better understand the humor in the music?  Is the language a barrier? Were you able to better enjoy the music by watching the singers perform as opposed to just listening to the music? Why or why not?

I did enjoy listening to the two Renaissance examples because I found them interesting and not what I usually listen to. I would probably not listen to them in my car on the way home but I do think it helps me broaden my music horizons. It is hard to listen to because I don’t understand the language and it wouldn’t be my first pick to listen to because I don’t think there is a true meaning or message behind it. The two songs were created to make people laugh not to express deep emotions. I think that the word painting does help me understand the humor in the music because the music is producing happy and comical emotions. I was able to see the true emotions of humor when I watched The King’s Singers preform which helped me connect more with the piece. Watching the video created more of the scene that the music was trying to create.

Blog Assignment #7

Listen to your chosen piece of music to discover any examples of how the music “paints” the meaning of the words. Describe what you hear or what happens in one or more parts of your recording.  If you cannot hear any text painting in your musical example, try finding another piece of music that does and write about what you discovered.

In my music choice “Hotel California”, there are a couple times the music “paints” the meaning of the words. The line where it says “rising up through the air”, the vocals rise up in levels like high in the air. When the band is narrating the song the vocals are lower and the music is slower, then for the chorus the music changes into a more upbeat sound and the vocals are a different pitch to represent that someone else is talking. Then the last example is in the chorus when “This could be heaven or this could be Hell” is sung. When the word heaven is sung, the singer raises is voice a level to represent that heaven is high in the skies. When the word hell is sung, the singer lowers is voice a level to represent that heaven is low in the ground.

Blog Assignment #8

Listen to your chosen piece of music and notice any changes in dynamics. Describe what happens when your piece gets louder or softer and where in the piece that occurs. Does it make the music more interesting to you? (why or why not?) Now, pay attention to the different timbres that are presented in your music: this may or may not relate to the dynamic changes, but describe what happens when you notice any timbre changes and how it affects the listener. (is it a dramatic difference, or more of a subtle difference?)

There are a few times in the song “Hotel California” that the dynamic changes to draw in the listener and create a song that has different levels of emotions. The beginning of the song the music is softer but then the chorus starts, and the music gets louder. Towards the end, the dynamic changes again and the song begins to get softer and softer until the song ends. I think that this makes the song more appealing to listen to and keeps the listener interested in the song. It creates a song that isn’t monotoned and changes in tone or tempo. The most dramatic timbres in the song come from the guitars and in the lead singer’s vocals. The guitars are at times low and then have a burst of sound. There is also a guitar solo at the end where the sound and tone are easily heard.

Blog Assignment #9

Do you like either or both of these examples? (why or why not?)  Have you noticed the quality of vibrato in any of the music you listen to?  If you have noticed, what makes you aware of it? If you haven’t noticed the vibrato, why do you think you have not been aware of it?  You may want to take note of the use of vibrato as expression in your own chosen piece of music as well.

I found the first example from “La Boheme” almost annoying to listen to but that is probably due to that I haven’t listened to a lot of opera before. Although it was tough to listen to, I was able to hear the vibrato due to the opera style with holding the notes longer at times. The second example was easier to listen to and I was able to focus on listening to the vibrato in the song. I feel like most of the alternative music I listen to have a strong vibrato that is easy to detect. I am most aware of the vibrato when there is a note that is held for a longer period. I think in my chosen piece of music that vibrato is noticeable in the guitar solo at the end.

Blog Assignment #10

In this blog post, review pages 210-212 in your Text.  These pages will give you a better understanding of Mozart and his history. Do a little research on your own, through the library or on the internet, and find some other interesting facts about Mozart’s life and his other compositions. You can also look in your eText at the other chapters to find more information mentioned about Mozart.  Also, find another Mozart piece (a different piece, NOT Symphony #40 from the eText) or excerpt on YouTube and copy the link in your blog assignment.  Please explain how and where you found your information.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was exposed to music at a young age because his father was a composer. Around the age of 6, his family started traveling around Europe to preform for various audiences including the royal court. Mozart and his sister Mozart published his first piece of music but didn’t write his first opera piece until the age of 11. In 1770, at the age of 14 Mozart was awarded the Order of the Golden Spur for his contribute of religious compositions. Dead at the age of 35 caused some to suspect his rival of poisoning the composer.

I got my information from two websites, https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/547532/facts-about-wolfgang-amadeus-mozart and https://www.connollymusic.com/stringovation/mozart-20-facts

Blog Assignment #11

What is your reaction to this musician and his abilities?  Do you think this kind of talent is common?  Can you measure talent?  How is Joey’s abilities different, even though he seems like a regular kid?  Have you ever met someone like this in your lifetime yet? 

I think for a 12 year old to be able to what he could do with an instrument is incredible. Joey can not only do pieces of music but he can also improvise and create a smooth sound as he goes. I don’t think that this kind of talent is very common for a boy at the age of 12. I don’t believe that you can measure talent, but you can compare talents with other people. Joey’s abilities are different even though he seems like a regular kid because this is his way of expressing himself to the world. He gets to be free through his music that he creates. I have never met anyone like this in my lifetime yet, but I hope I am able to someday experience this.

Blog Assignment #12

In your piece of music that you will write about, choose to discuss either Rhythm OR Harmony in this last blog post.  You can describe the changes in the beat, or the changes in the harmony that you notice in your piece.  In some pieces of music, these subjects can be a strong vehicle for the composer to convey feelings and meanings to their music.

In my piece of music, the harmony changes throughout the whole song. The very first chorus has a three part harmony, which is repeated on the second chorus, but starting on the 3rd very the harmony starts to get added on to. On the 4th verse there is a guitar harmony that is added on and each time the sound gets high and higher. Then it is broken down in the 5th verse back to the intro and on the last verse the entire band is playing again like on the 4th verse. I feel like this shows like a tension that is built up and then released on the 5th verse.