I thought this class was very educational and I learned a lot of fascinating things I didn't previously know. Perhaps the lesson I found most beneficial was the musical texture project. It helped me identify different musical textures and was an overall beneficial assignment to say the least. I enjoyed the lecture part of class too because we were never doing the same thing. We varied almost every class between lectures, in class film, and in class listening. These were abnormal from any other of my other college courses. As much as I dislike schooling online I actually enjoyed the listening journals when I could get it to function properly for me. It allowed me to go back and realize what made me like the songs I did like in the first place. It also allowed me to get a taste of music I was previously unaware of and write about it after a couple listens. There wasn't any music we listened to or played that I felt was bad or in poor taste, but I can listen to any genre of music so that really doesn't say much.
I did have few gripes, but it didn't involve the instructor or classmates. It is more of a personal issue which is my own problem, but I have trouble focusing on any subject for three hours. I cant even play video games or do much of anything for three hours straight. My attention span is low to say the least, but I don't think that was ever a real problem. However, Mrs. Mills allowed one break per class period which was greatly appreciated. Another problem I had was finding constant computer/internet issues throughout the class. These technological difficulties made things a bit of a problem but I adjusted and tried to overcome those obstacles. I've never been a fan of internet schooling or posting on a blog, but I don't think it ever interfered with my learning process. It did nothing to hinder my learning of the musical arts and I would refer anyone with a slight interest in music to Mrs. Mills music appreciation course.
Friday, 17 July 2015
Friday, 3 July 2015
Week 6
Familiar Music
Artist: Jeru The Damaja
Song Title: History 101
Run Time: 4:22
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOKZtwus3rw
Artist: The Doors
Song Title: Light My Fire
Run Time: 7:07
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deB_u-to-IE
Artist: The Doors
Song Title: Roadhouse Blues 4:08
Run Time: 4:08
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pEMd1SdkAE
Artist: The Doors
Song Title: The End
Run Time: 11:47
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSUIQgEVDM4
For my sixth entry into the listening journal I chose to write about "Roadhouse Blues" which was written and performed by The Doors. I think this track is very special in its own unique way because it combines two totally different genres of music. The song mixes elements of both blues and classical rock which during that time period was a very rare thing to do and implement in music. I think by combining these two vastly different styles made them blend so well together. To put it in math terms, two negatives make a positive, I feel like that's what they were aiming for when they were producing this song. I think it is important to mention that this song actually required more musicians than The Doors typically used. The Doors consisted of a vocal singer, a drummer, and a keyboardist. However, this song uses heavy uses of the harmonica and even required a bass player. The bass was huge because up until then The Doors never used a bass player in a majority of their songs because Robby Krieger, guitarist, was their sound when it came to stringed instruments. I also think this song exemplifies the music for that time period. By combining all these instruments and different elements and creating something totally new and fresh which seemed to be the trend during that time period. One thing I found particularly fascinating about this song is how the harmonica player almost sort of synchronizes his playing to that of the lead vocals, Jim Morrison. The accompanying harmonica to Jim's lyrics and antics adds more character to the song. Around 1;35 one can hear Jim calling for Robbie to do his own thing on the guitar. This almost makes it seem like it seem like Robbie's brief instrumental was improv, but I do not feel like that was the case.
Unfamiliar Music
Artist: Gustavo Dudamel
Song Title: Danzon No. 2 (Arturo Marquez)
Run Time: 9:42
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PA7vEIj6Lzk
Artist: Maurice Ravel
Song Title: Bolero
Run Time: 17:22
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KgpEru9lhw&index=44&list=PLVXq77mXV53_3HqhCLGv4mz3oVGYd2Aup
For my sixth week unfamiliar music I chose to type in "Classical Music for Studying" on youtube and this was on the 2nd page. The piece was made by Maurice Ravel and is called "Bolero". It begins with light taps on the drums while what seems to be the flute introduces the broad audience to a clarinet and harp. It seemed like a variety of different instruments have their opportunity to shine while the percussionist continues to lightly tap on their set of drums. While the harp was playing a majority of the song there is very little use of stringed instruments until about the six minute mark. This is where I started to recognize the use of more stringed instruments. Also around the six and half minute mark is where my favorite instrument from the brass family is used, the saxophone. I thought the saxophone player did an exquisite job, and I would not be opposed to hearing more of what was being played. I felt like this whole orchestra was basically performing one very large crescendo for the entirety of the song. It gradually became louder using more and more instruments as the song progressed. The stringed families presence was hard to narrow down too without watching the video because I found it difficult to hear a majority of the stringed instruments until the later parts of this piece. I felt the ending was very well done because the light taps on the drums were now full on beats that were very appropriate for that ending. Overall I liked this piece for its gradually increasing tempo and sound.
Artist: Jeru The Damaja
Song Title: History 101
Run Time: 4:22
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOKZtwus3rw
Artist: The Doors
Song Title: Light My Fire
Run Time: 7:07
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deB_u-to-IE
Artist: The Doors
Song Title: Roadhouse Blues 4:08
Run Time: 4:08
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pEMd1SdkAE
Artist: The Doors
Song Title: The End
Run Time: 11:47
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSUIQgEVDM4
For my sixth entry into the listening journal I chose to write about "Roadhouse Blues" which was written and performed by The Doors. I think this track is very special in its own unique way because it combines two totally different genres of music. The song mixes elements of both blues and classical rock which during that time period was a very rare thing to do and implement in music. I think by combining these two vastly different styles made them blend so well together. To put it in math terms, two negatives make a positive, I feel like that's what they were aiming for when they were producing this song. I think it is important to mention that this song actually required more musicians than The Doors typically used. The Doors consisted of a vocal singer, a drummer, and a keyboardist. However, this song uses heavy uses of the harmonica and even required a bass player. The bass was huge because up until then The Doors never used a bass player in a majority of their songs because Robby Krieger, guitarist, was their sound when it came to stringed instruments. I also think this song exemplifies the music for that time period. By combining all these instruments and different elements and creating something totally new and fresh which seemed to be the trend during that time period. One thing I found particularly fascinating about this song is how the harmonica player almost sort of synchronizes his playing to that of the lead vocals, Jim Morrison. The accompanying harmonica to Jim's lyrics and antics adds more character to the song. Around 1;35 one can hear Jim calling for Robbie to do his own thing on the guitar. This almost makes it seem like it seem like Robbie's brief instrumental was improv, but I do not feel like that was the case.
Unfamiliar Music
Artist: Gustavo Dudamel
Song Title: Danzon No. 2 (Arturo Marquez)
Run Time: 9:42
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PA7vEIj6Lzk
Artist: Maurice Ravel
Song Title: Bolero
Run Time: 17:22
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KgpEru9lhw&index=44&list=PLVXq77mXV53_3HqhCLGv4mz3oVGYd2Aup
For my sixth week unfamiliar music I chose to type in "Classical Music for Studying" on youtube and this was on the 2nd page. The piece was made by Maurice Ravel and is called "Bolero". It begins with light taps on the drums while what seems to be the flute introduces the broad audience to a clarinet and harp. It seemed like a variety of different instruments have their opportunity to shine while the percussionist continues to lightly tap on their set of drums. While the harp was playing a majority of the song there is very little use of stringed instruments until about the six minute mark. This is where I started to recognize the use of more stringed instruments. Also around the six and half minute mark is where my favorite instrument from the brass family is used, the saxophone. I thought the saxophone player did an exquisite job, and I would not be opposed to hearing more of what was being played. I felt like this whole orchestra was basically performing one very large crescendo for the entirety of the song. It gradually became louder using more and more instruments as the song progressed. The stringed families presence was hard to narrow down too without watching the video because I found it difficult to hear a majority of the stringed instruments until the later parts of this piece. I felt the ending was very well done because the light taps on the drums were now full on beats that were very appropriate for that ending. Overall I liked this piece for its gradually increasing tempo and sound.
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