Sunday, December 6, 2020

Final Project

 Music and Society

    Music is played in the lives of everyone across the globe of all ages. It seems as though no one can go without music in their daily lives, whether it is the music we hear from the billboards, music we learned when we were toddlers, or music from our very own culture. Music helps us to predict what a person is going through or reveals about a person. According to Very Well Mind, "a persons playlist can reveal something about your personality." Very Well Mind also says, "your genre is based on your personality traits."

    Music connects people together and also makes an emotional connection. This emotional connection is sacred because no one else can feel the depth of your emotion connected to a certain song.  It can only be understood by yourself.  According to Belinda Huang, "Emotional Impact is probably the most identifiable and direct impact music has on people in society."  Music is soothing to the soul for every emotion and mood that I or we, the society or individual, is going through. Whichever emotion a person feels, that person tends to listen to the genre that resonates with their emotions. Everyone listens to different genres, and that is the beauty of music. There isn't just one genre; there is a lot out there for everyone to enjoy. Different music carries different messages, and each person interprets the lyrics differently in ways that relate to what that person is dealing with in their lives. Bryan Resnick, the author of The scientific mystery of why humans love music, says, "Our brain loves patterns." I find this interesting because I love music with a certain pattern or beat. He also states that "Studies have shown that when we listen to music, our brains release dopamine, which in turn makes us happy." I agree with him because when I am not feeling my best, I play some music to help soothe myself. 


Christian Rock

    One genre of music, in particular, is Christian Rock music. Wikipedia tells us that Christian Rock music is a form of rock music that features lyrics focusing on matters of Christian faith.  In the early 1950s and 1960s, Christians weren't in favor of rock music when it became popular with the younger generation. In the 1960s, The Crusaders album, With a Joyful Noise, was considered one of the first Christian Rock Bands. It wasn't until the 1990s that Christian Rock saw an increase in the genre. Christian Rock was once unaccepted by Christians, is now very popular, especially among the Evangelists. Among the many Christian Rock singers is the beautiful Lauren Daigle. 

Christian Rock Music Analysis


"You Say" 
Songwriters - Jason Ingram, Paul, Mabury and, Lauren Daigle
Producers - Jason Ingram and Paul Mabury
Recorded - 2018
Released - July 13, 2018
Label - Centricity - Warner Bros.

Piano Chords
    The piano chords are played at an F Major with a tempo of 74 beats per minute.

Vocal
    The vocal range spans from D3 to A4 throughout the song. 

Timbre
    The song starts off with a comforting beat of the piano playing, It is very gentle, and her vocal starts off very gentle as well for a whole minute. She then sings at a higher range, which sounds beautiful. Then comes the drums, which make this song even more beautiful  Then, for a few seconds, you can only hear vocal, with one key of the piano at a time, and flows back into her higher vocal range, piano, and the drums, ending the song with just the piano keys. 

    I really enjoy listening to this song. I think it is beautiful, and it had resonated with me when I was going through difficulty in my life. I didn't know who to turn to because I lost trust in one of the closest people I trusted. 


Music Analysis

"I Can Only Imagine"
Band - Mercy Me
Songwriter - Bart Millard
Producer - Pete Kipley
Recorded/Released - October 12, 2001 (Radio)
CD Released - Septebmer 23, 2003 

Piano Chords
    The piano chords are played at an E major and have a tempo of 80 beats per minute. 

Vocal
    The vocal range spans from the low note B3 to a high note of G#5. 

Lyrics
   I can only imagine what it will be like
    When I walk, by your side
    I can only imagine what my eyes will see
    When you face is before me
    I can only imagine
    I can only imagine
    Surrounded by You glory
    What will my heart feel
    Will I dance for you Jesus
    Or in awe of You be still
    Will I stand in your presence
    Or to my knees will I fall
    Will I sing hallelujah
    Will I be able to speak at all
    I can only imagine
    I can only imagine
    I can only imagine when that day comes
    When I find myself standing in the Son
    I can only imagine when all I would do is forever
    Forever worship You
    I can only imagine
    I can only imagine
    Surrounded by Your glory
    What will my heart feel
    Will I dance for You, Jesus
    Or in awe of you be still
    Will I stand in your presence
    Or to my knees will I fall
    Will I sing hallelujah
    Will I be able to speak at all
    I can only imagine
    I can only imagine hey ya ah
    Surrounded by Your glory
    What will my heart feel
    Will I dance for You, Jesus
    Or in awe of you be still
    Will I stand in Your presence
    Or to my knees will I fall
    Will I sing hallelujah
    Will I be able to speak at all
    I can only imagine
    I can only imagine hey ya ah
    I can only imagine yeah yeah
    I can only imagine
    I can only imagine ey ey ey
    I can only imagine
    I can only imagine when all I will do
    Is forever, forever worship You
    I can only imagine

   
This is another song that has resonated with me, as my father has died of cancer, just as the songwriter's father died of cancer. When I watched the movie, I Can Only Imgaine, of Bart Millard and what he went through with his father, I cried. This brought up so many emotions of grief in me. Just as I stated, only you can understand the depth of the connection you make with a song and the different emotions that can surface just by listening to music. Music brings sad emotions, but it brings up emotions of romance, happiness, and can change your mood by the different genres. Depending on the way you feel, you choose the genre you listen to!


Personal Journey
    This class was definitely a beautiful learning experience. I was overwhelmed the first week of class, but I am so happy that I stuck it out. I've enjoyed music from a young age, and this class has made me understand more about the different music genres out there. I enjoyed each assignment, and my favorite was choosing our own music to analyze. Reading further into the music we enjoy makes it that much more interesting to learn why they wrote the song. Music is everywhere and will continue to be everywhere in life. Music will never fade away and I will enjoy music much more than I have before! Thank you, ~Hazel




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Monday, November 23, 2020

Continued Explorations

 Folk Music

Background

    Folk Music is music that transmitted orally or music composed with an unknown composer or music composed by custom over time. Usually, folk music is passed down from generation to generation.  To some, folk music is composed of the common people and tells stories that could be understood by anyone. According to Wonderopolis, folk music bonds people together and also has more to do with culture and history than it does entertainment. 

    Included in folk music is Traditional Folk Music. Traditional folk music and the genre evolved in the 20th Century folk revival. This modern folk music evolved in the 1960s in the United States. Contemporary Folk Music is also considered as Traditional Folk Music. According to Wonderopolis, Contemporary Folk Music is sung with meaningful words and played with acoustic instruments. This is a more recent evolution found in the United States whereas Folk Music can be found all over the world.  Because Folk Music can be found in every culture, makes it unique and interesting. 

Folk Song - Analysis

"Blowin' In The Wind"
Artist/Songwriter - Bob Dylan
Producer - John Hammond
Recorded - July 9, 1962
Released - August 13, 1963
Studio - Columbia Recording Studios


Lyrics

    The lyrics are written by Bob Dylan and according to Wikipedia, he wrote this song as a protest song about peace, war, and freedom. The flow of the lyrics is smooth and very easy to understand the words. We can all relate to the lyrics in this present time as they did back in the 60s. 

Instruments

    The original chords are played in a D major. The strumming seems to be easy for a beginner who would like to learn this song. For beginner guitarist, they can learn this song in a G major. 


Folk Song - Analysis

"This Land is Your Land" 
(The song was originally called "God Blessed America For Me" before renaming it "This Land is Your Land")
Singer/Songwriter - Woody Guthrie
Composed - February 23, 1940
Recorded in March 1944
Published in 1945


Lyrics

    The lyrics are were written after Woody grew tired of hearing  "God Bless America" on the radio.  This song was written when he arrived in New York from Oklahoma.  We can still relate to the very words today as he did when he wrote this back in 1940. He writes about this land is your land this land is my land, this land was made for you and me. Very interesting to actually see the lyrics and also has a very catchy way of singing the song.

Melody

    The melody is very similar to the Baptist gospel hymn by the Carter Family, "When the World's on Fire".  The melody is sung in an ABAC structure. It has an upbeat melody, no beat that you would listen to before you go to bed. The instrument played in this song is a guitar. With the song being a folk song, I'm not surprised that just the guitar is played in the original. 

My opinion

    Folk music was such an interesting topic to learn more about. After taking the Folklore class, this made it that much more interesting to research Folk Music. I was shocked to learn that Bob Dylan's song Blowin' In The Wind was Folk Music. I have heard it in so many movies that it never did cross my mind it was folk music. I did learn that it is in the top 100 of Folk Music and now I understand why it is so popular and in so many movies. I've also learned that This Land is Your Land is also Folk Music. I always thought it was from a soundtrack to a movie. This class has been so much fun and definitely a learning experience for me. I definitely learned what Folk Music is and it is not music just for "Old People", they are stories passed down from generation to generation. 


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Sunday, November 15, 2020

Music and the Fictive Dream

 Mulan

Background

    Mulan is a fictional story that comes from China. This story was created during the Northern and Southern Dynasties era, during the 4th - 6th century AD. Hua Mulan disguises herself as a man to take her aged father's place who is drafted into the Imperial army.  After battling northern armies, Mulan is honored and offered a higher ranking by the Emporer, but she declines.  She then retires and returns home, without anyone knowing she is a female until she is back home. Everyone is shocked to learn that she was a female. 

    Mulan is an American action drama movie produced by Walt Disney Pictures. This movie is based on the Chinese fictional story of Mulan.  Mulan is directed by Niki Caro, with a screenplay by Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, Lauren Hynek, and Elizabeth Martin.  It is also a live-action film adapted from Disney's animated cartoon Mulan created in 1998. The live-action movie began in 2010, but the project stalled until August-November 2018. The film was recorded in New Zealand and China. The Hollywood premiere was supposed to be held on March 9, 2020, but due to the pandemic, the premier and release came out on Disney plus September 4, 2020, with a premium fee.  The DVD release date for the movie was November 10, 2020.  

"Loyal Brave True" From "Mulan" 
Soundtrack version performed and sung by Christina Aguilera
Loyal Brave True was written by Jamie Hartman, Harry Gregson-Williams, Rosi Golan, and Billy Crabtree, and produced by Jamie Hartman.
Released on September 4, 2020

Lyrics
The lyrics are sung at a range of F3-C5. She starts out slow and sings very calmly. The lyrics reflect Mulan the warrior. She is loyal, brave, and true during her time she served in the Imperial Army. The lyrics also flow very easy and here are the lyrics to the song. 

War is not freedom
Over my shoulder
I see a clearer view
All for my family
Reason I'm breathing
Everything to lose
Should I ask myself in the water
What a warrior would do?
Tell me, underneath my armor
Am I loyal, brave and true?
Am I loyal, brave and true?
Losing is easy
Winning takes bravery
I am a tiger's fool
Out in the open
No one to save me
The kindest of whispers are cruel
Should I ask myself in the water
What a warrior would do?
Tell me, underneath my armor
Am I loyal, brave and true?
Am I loyal, brave and true?
Cold is the morning…

Instruments

The instruments played in this song are the piano and guitar.  The chords are played in F minor, with a tempo of 135 and strumming at DU, DU, DU. The intro is played in Ab Bbm Fm Ab Bbm. This is definitely not for a beginner guitarist.  The piano chords are played in G#, A#m, Fm, Cm, C#, and D#. 

"Reflection"  (2020) from "Mulan"
Produced by Gregson-Williams. The original 1998 classic (animated Mulan) was written by David Zippel and Matthew Wilder.  
Released on September 4, 2020
Beat 
The beat in Reflection is a steady pulse. It is metrical and the time signature is 4/4 time. 

Timbre
The tonal color is has a combination of sounds, in which instruments are the piano, guitar, strings, shaker, flute, and drum kit.  The song has a single voice. The sound productions are traditional, blowing, bowing, and hitting. The keyboard is legato, the guitar is plucked, strings are bowed and legato, the shaker is short and single, the flute is blown and legato, the drum kit is the bass drum, and beat on the bridge. 

My opinion

I enjoyed this project. I never really learned the history of Mulan prior to this assignment. I was shocked at how far back this story comes from. It was also interesting to learn that it was a Northern Chinese beloved Ballad from the Northern Wei dating back to 386-591 AD. The beloved Ballad is how the story was passed on through all the generations to where it has come to make the motion pictures in 2020.  I personally enjoyed the animated Mulan and also enjoyed the live-action movie as well. This movie has so many themes and I definitely enjoy that no matter who you are or whether you are male or female, you can become anyone you want to become. You can fight the fight no matter what gender you are and never ever give up!

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Thursday, November 5, 2020

Role of the Performer

Barbara Joan Streisand

Biography

Barbara Joan Streisand of Brooklyn, New York was born on April 24, 1942. She shares a birthday with my two nephews! This was exciting to learn! Barbara didn't have an easy start in life. Her father died when she was about 4 months old. Her mom struggled to put food on the table and because of both these situations, she felt like an outcast.  She started singing at a very young age and was known as "the girl with a good voice" in her neighborhood. At school, she made her first debut at a PTA assembly meeting.  She performed for MGM when she was 9 years old, although unsuccessful, she did not give up.  Her continued singing has brought her to be a successful American singer, actress, and filmmaker over the last 6 decades. Wow, her years of success is beyond my age! She then started her career as an adult in the 1960s performing in night clubs, Broadway theaters and made a few appearances on some TV shows.  Barbara is one of the very few people who won an Emmy Award, Grammy Award, Oscar Award, and a Tony Award.  She signed up with Columbia Records and has been with Columbia Records her whole career.  

American Singer

Her first musical debut album came out in 1963, which is called "The Barbara Streisand Album", which won two Grammy Awards and also was Album of the Year.  Barbara holds the record for 11 albums being the Billboard 200 Charts. 5 of her singles were in the US Billboard Hot 100 and here is a song that made the Billboard at #1. She continues to be a successful singer to this day. 

The Way We Were (Live 1986)
Barbara Streisand - Artist
Released September 27, 1973, through Columbia Records
    Musical Elements
The song begins with the piano playing, very soft and gentle. The Way We Were is played in the Key of C Major. It is played at a tempo of 76 BPM metronome.
    Melody
The melody in this song is very calming and soft. As I listen to it, it really has a calming effect.  It is gentle enough to put you to sleep. 


     I've Dreamed of You
Lyrics by Ann Hampton Callaway
Music by Rolf Lovland
Released 1999

    Chords/Keys
The song is sung with chords and keys of C, F, G, Am, and Em at an expert level. 
    Melody
The melody in this song is very calming and soft just as in The Way We Were. As I listen to it, it really has a calming effect.  It is gentle enough to put you to sleep as well.


Acting Career

Barbara has acted in many, many movies and I was shocked that I didn't recognize her in a few movies she acted in within the last ten years. Meet the Fockers was one movie I was totally blown away that she acted in. She stared in many, many movies and continues to be a successful actor today.

My Opinion

I enjoyed learning about Barbara Streisand. I was actually shocked to see how many movies she has stared in.  I was also blown away at how successful she has been over the last 6 decades, especially for a female in the early 60s. She is definitely a role model for anyone that wants to achieve their dreams of becoming what they want to be in life no matter the difficult situations you face in life. She has proven to overcome life's obstacles that were thrown at her from such a very young age.  

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Sunday, October 25, 2020

Take a Musical Trip

 Aboriginal Australian Musical Trip

    Enjoy the adventure as we learn about the distinctive Aboriginal Australian Music! I have read a handful of books about the Aboriginal people, which piqued my interest in this musical trip.

    As said by Hans Telford, the aboriginal traditional music is an integral part of the aboriginal people and holds a lot of meaning as well. He also states that "music is used throughout an aboriginal's life to teach what must be known about their culture, about their place in it, and about its place in the world of  nature and supernature."  They are taught at a very age to sing and dance about everyday tasks. The music is passed down from generation to generation verbally and not written down and learned as the way we learn in western culture. 

    The music composed by the aboriginals is very important to their culture. The songs composed for sacred ceremonies are only to be shared with their tribe and no one is to record these ceremonies. Outsiders are not allowed to attend these ceremonies as well. Non-sacred ceremonies can allow outsiders to observe and record.



    The aboriginals use an instrument called the didgeridoo, which is made from the eucalyptus tree. This instrument is one of the oldest instruments and is in the category of aerophone.  This wind instrument is played by blowing into the tube, almost like a trumpet. 

Dance during Aboriginal Initiation Ceremony, Northern Australia
Recorded April 10, 2010. 

Beat

The song starts off with the clapsticks with a slow and steady beat. They start singing in their language and the beat increases to a faster beat for about 30 seconds. Following that, the beat increases, I believe there is more than one song in this video. This reminds me of our own traditional Yup'ik songs, but we a drum instead of clapsticks. 

Lyrics

The lyrics are sung in their Australian language. Although I don't understand the words, they are welcoming and calming. They start singing slow and increase as they sing along. 

Amazing Didgeridoo by Mick Ambyrum

Recorded in 1995, posted Sept. 28, 2013

Timbre

The timber changes throughout the song and doesn't stay the same. He starts off with slow and slightly increases, and flows smoothly as the timbre changes. 

Rhythm

This song has a variety of rhythm played throughout the song and that is what makes the music so unique. The rhythm changes from slow to fast, with a smooth change. It continues to change throughout the song and doesn't stay the same. 


    Australian music is very unique, just like the Alaskan native music.   Although they are clear across the globe from here, they enjoy composing and dancing to their native music just as we do. When I came across the ceremonial dance, it reminded me of the ceremonial dances that we have.  Their music also holds as much meaning as our music in my native culture. Music is integral to everyone no matter where you come from! This class has been a total eye-opener for me in exploring music.  I enjoyed this musical trip and enjoyed learning more about Australian Aboriginal music! Enjoy!

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Thursday, October 15, 2020

Innovations in Music

 Evolution of the Steel Drums


    The steel drums have come a long way since they first evolved, originally known as the steel pan.  The drum has been around for centuries; although there are many types of drums, the steel drum is unique in its own way. Toddlers often find the steel drum just as impressive as adults, which is made of steel. The same material is used to make cooking pots and pans. 

    According to the BBC, the steel pan was created in Trinidad with metal objects such as oil drums, car parts, paint pots, dustbins, and biscuit tins.  Trinidad is an island located close to South America along the Caribbean chain.  The main object they used to create the pan came from the 55-gallon oil drum.  Trinidadians who were once slaves made their own music with items and materials they had available. Trinidad street music became part of their Trinidadian culture. The steel pan is one of the newest instruments created in the 1930s. Here is a picture provided by the BBC using steel drums and another snapshot of the evolution of the steel pan. 

From the 55-gallon oil drum to...

The newly innovated steel pan!

Here is an example of the pan note layout

Here is a video of the earliest recording of music with the steel pan. Although you can't actually see the use of the pan, you can hear percussions of the steel pan. 
First Steelpan Recording, 'Lion-Oh' Hell Yard SteelBand & the Roaring Lion1940

Lyrics

The lyrics are very upbeat and sung with a strong accent of Trinidad. The flow of the lyrics is the same throughout the song, and "Lion-oh" is repeated with the same tone throughout the music as well.

Drums

The drumming starts off upbeat and continues the same throughout the song. 


Evolution of the Steel Pan in today's time

Here is a song played with the current steel pans they make today. 'Sunflower' (Post Malone) by Ravon Rhoden-Steeldrum Cover (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse) May 6, 2019

Timbre

The timbre of the pans ranges from high to low. The timbre of the piano is started first and sets the timbre of the pans. The percussions of the pans are very easy to hear and differentiate from the piano. 

Melody

There are a couple instruments played, which are the piano and the pans. The melody is very smooth and easy-going. The melody can also be somewhat calming.  

I really enjoyed learning about the steel pans. I always thought drums were made of the same material, but NOO this is definitely something new I have learned! 

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Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Next to Me by Emeli Sande ~ A Musical Analysis 2

 "Next to Me by Emeli Sande"



Information 

Here is another song that had caught my attention immediately! I was working on a slideshow for my wedding anniversary, and this was a perfect fit. I've been blessed to have a husband who has been next to me since day one! Our relationship definitely fits in with the words for this song!

Next to Me is in the genre of R & B. Next to Me was composed in February of 2012 by a Scottish singer Emeli Sande and co-written by Hugo Chegwin, Harry Craze, and A. K. Paul. She wrote this song because all the men in her life have been loyal to her. Those men would include her dad, her manager, and her finance. This song spread across the world, first in Scotland, which made it to the #1 top charts and by April, was in the top 100s in the United States, Billboard Hot 100. There is no doubt that this song was a financial success because it has made the top 100 countries.

Lyrics

The lyrics again are universal because anyone from anywhere across the world can resonate with the story she tells in her song. According to song facts, in 2013 at the Ivor Novello Awards, this song was named the best song musically and lyrically, which I am not surprised! The lyrics flow very smoothly! Today, 16 years of marriage, I can still relate to this song, and is still one of my favorites!

Melody

There are a couple instruments played along with the vocal. The devices include the piano, drums, and the guitar. The melody starts off with an upbeat tune of the piano, a few seconds after, the drums, and she then starts singing. This is an upbeat song that immediately puts you in a good mood. The piano and drums are played throughout the song. 

Key Choices

According to Wikipedia, the key choices that are used is A Minor. She uses A Minor throughout the song by adding in some G and C keys during the chorus. 

Chords

According to Ultimate Guitar, the chords played with the guitar are Am, G /B, C, Fmaj7, G, and F. The chords seem a lot more complicated than the other song I chose, which was Control by Zoe Wees. 

Drums

The drums are played throughout the song with an upbeat melody. During the chorus, he just taps his sticks together, and after the ensemble is complete, he picks back up with the drums in an upbeat tune. I could not find the composition of the drums and the sites that I did find I would have to pay to look at the sheet music for the drums. 

Timbre

The contrast of timbre smoothly changes at the chorus. You can clearly hear the beat of the drum change from hitting the drums to hitting the sticks. I was able to clearly hear the difference. With this change, you can clearly hear the vocal, and it grabs your attention even more as if the teacher has gotten everyone's attention, and the students are all listening. I have enjoyed the changes in beats, and the lyrics really have me with this song since it resonates in my marriage!


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Final Project

  Music and Society      Music is played in the lives of everyone across the globe of all ages. It seems as though no one can go without mus...