This semester music class has taught me a lot on basic functions of musical sound, elements of music, and what a common beat is. When we first started class we discuss all this information and I received a lot of knowledge from it. For example duple means 2 beats per minute, and triple means 3 beats per minute. Understanding these elements enhances our listening, provides vocabulary for discussion, and increases our capacity to enjoy music.
What stood out to me the most in class is how each musician we talked about had a story to tell through their music. For example Woody Guthrie with the song “ This land is our land” was a great protest song. It was written in reaction to the great depression and how people couldn’t find work. This song also addresses social issues on the government not caring about its citizens. Another one was “Goodnight Irene” which addresses personal issues people may be dealing with. The lyrics discuss the idea of suicide to ease heavy hearts, overdosing on morphine, and jumping into a river.
I was really changed by how these musicians express their feelings through their music about different issues. It touched me because it really means something to these musicians on freedom and becoming equal. Most of these musicians have actually experience a tremendous amount of unfairness when growing up. It just makes me appreciate life and realize how differently things have changed throughout time. Music now you will hear about buying the most expensive cars, having sex, or just living some lavish life that we can’t afford. Music before my time touched on social issues that were going on in society that were relevant.
Another issue that was talked about in music class that touched me was when we discuss Ev...
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...o, I have a different perspective than before I was enrolled in this class. When in the car for example if it wasn’t rap or any kind of R&B I would change the radio station. Or if I didn’t want to listen to commercials I would plug my iPod in with just rap music playing. I have now got out of my selective ways when it comes to music and enjoy listening to different genres.
I think sometimes the choices of music you listen to really are determine by what you were brought up listening to or always heard. Also how you can relate to the music is another reason. If you hear for an example this rapper talking about how they were brought up and what would go on in a typical black family I could really relate to that message he/she was trying to deliver. Growing up was never easy it was always a struggle or an extra step to get were I wanted to be and satisfied in life.
Music and Art are two important factors in a society. They are apart of a neighborhood's History. They show how a community has lived, and what was important to the people and how they lived. The Art and Music during certain time periods can show how that community has grown and how it developed. There were many important artist and musician that played a big role in how Detroit, Michigan grew. They also had a big impact on the society of Detroit. Till this day those Artist and Musicians still have an impact on Detroit.
At the start of this class, I did not think that I would learn as much as I did. Just last night my wife and I were watching “The Voice” and someone was singing “I’ll Be There.” I told her that was a song by The Jackson 5. She disagreed with me and told me that Mariah Carey had sung that song. I looked it up and we were both right. I went onto tell her that I was more right because The Jackson 5 sang it first. It got me thinking about this class and how I catch myself thinking about the history of songs whenever I hear them on the radio or in a movie.
Music has always inspired people to think for themselves and find meanings within deep and confusing lyrics, giving them new perspective. Back during the times when the fight for civil rights was in full swing, music played an even bigger role. Some musicians used personal experience as inspiration for their work; it made their songs more relatable to the listeners and added a bit of personality to the music. The songs they wrote stimulated people to gather together and demand change. The bravery of the artists who spoke out against the way the country was headed allowed them to create these songs and get people together.
Music preference has a large impact on our everyday lives, whether it is music we choose to listen to, the song on a television commercial, or the song that comes on the radio while driving to and from work. The age-old question of whether music preference determines behavior or behavior determines music preference then comes into question. The type of music listened to can be a determinant of behavior. Our behaviors then lead to associations with the song and the associations, whether good or bad, then lead to whether or not the m...
“Music can change the world because it can change people.” Over time, music has evolved to become as different as to when we first came to know it. Music has traveled through time as far back as 500 B.C to as current as today of 2014. It was used to soothe the soul, and speak for the unspoken from small social issues to civil rights movements, music was there to express what we felt back then and what we feel now. Artists such as James Brown, Sam Cooke, Pete Seeger, John Lennon, and Bob Dylan made it possible to express their feelings towards different controversial situations presented at the time through song which, I believe, helped society stay strong along the way.
Personally, I have found that listening to music has been very beneficial to my educational experience. It has helped me immensely whilst studying subjects such as Math and English. For instance, last year in my Creative Writing class, we were assigned the task of writing a script for a play. The teacher was reluctant to grant us access to our music, but with promises of good behavior from the students, she eventually capitulated to our requests. Not thinking much about it at the time, I popped in my earbuds, put my playlist on shuffle, and began to write. By the end of the class period, I had come close to completing my task, and when
Throughout our history, music has constantly been influenced by trends of its time, reflecting social, economic and political changes. On the other hand, music has defined the culture and social events or leading them to social revolution. For instance, guys like Bob Dylan and Stevie Wonder greatly contributed to social events. Such leaders and musical revolutionaries have existed throughout history.
Music plays a major role in life for most people. It can soothe and excite, encourage sleep and encourage dancing, we can sing to it and ponder it. There are so many different uses of music and so many mediums through which to play it such as Pandora, Spotify, YouTube, etc. Beyond that, more songs every day there are new songs being written. Statistics show that ninety-five percent of all Americans think that music is a core part of a balanced and well-rounded education. The same study showed that ninety-three percent of Americans thought music belonged in the public schooling system, and seventy-nine percent even suggested that music education should be mandatory for all students. Still, studies show that a staggering twenty percent of high school students choose
I still believe that music divides people, because the divide is obvious in past culture, and still is in today’s culture. Music enables every culture to have their own distinct voice, separating them from different cultures. Even outside the cultural part of music, people naturally create divides between themselves and those who prefer a different type of music. Music affects people in different ways, simply because people themselves are diverse, and therefore interpret the music lyrics differently and take their own message from the song.
With school budget cuts, and no music instruments, more and more people are beginning to realize the benefits of having music in education. Providing music as part of education helps develop intelligence that leads to greater success in school and in life. Everyone from VH1 Save The Music to The National Association For Music Education agree that, “Every student in the nation should have an education in the arts.” These two companies are doing everything they can to get out the information about music, and the importance of resorting music education as part of the core curriculum.
Throughout history music has had a profound effect on a person’s mind, body, and consciousness. A song or piece of music can trigger vivid memories, and induce emotions ranging from deep sorrow to unabashed joy. Music can drive listeners to patriotic fervor or religious frenzy, or it can soothe the savage beast we call human. There have been many advances in technology that have let us study how music affects the brain. Music causes all sorts of activity in the brain, especially during musical improvisation. Music can tremendously help people with certain mind damaging diseases, and in some cases it can have negative effects.
My sister, Jo, and I are both highly musical and love music, but our opinions of excellent music are contrasting, which can cause issues when trying to pick what is going to play on the radio. I prefer the old school sound such as jazz, bluegrass, and classical music while Jo prefers techno, pop, and punk rock. Though our personal preference on music seems trivial, it in reality, shows the type of culture we prefer. I am a lover of culture and classical thinking. I am a reader; I
Even when children learn music they able to listen, sing, dance, create movement. Listening to music draw out emotions, and playing music can be just like communicating emotions. Some people find this a very powerful experience. “ Music enriches the lives of students and should be considered a necessary part of education.”
Petersen, Cheyenne. "Music is key to learning." Capital City Weekly 30 January 2013, n. pag. Web. 20 Feb. 2014.
When a student learns the historical backdrop and the composer behind the musical piece, it gives a clearer picture of how that particular piece of music was