I've been thinking about possible performance ideas (seeing as how I have to go first), and haven't come up with a whole lot.
One idea I had was to look at the more visual side of the music we've been listening to. I would do some research on the type of dance that goes with cajun music, country music, and if any dance goes with blues.
One other idea is since we've discussed the multitude of blind musicians, I would look into musicians with other disabilities. For example, deaf musicians (I've heard of a few) or like that one man we talked about who played guitar with his feet.
I'm not sure how well the second one fits with our class. And I'm not sure how it would really be considered a performance. Any ideas?
Monday, September 18, 2006
Deep Blues, Chapter 2
Now that I've finished reading chapter 2, "Heart Like Railroad Steel", i though I'd blog about a few of the things I found most interesting.
First of all, I found this chapter much more enjoyable than the first one, because it was more about the actual musicians and music. It was really interesting for me to read about the lives of the musicians, then look at the form and lyrics of their music.
Another thing I found interesting was on pages 59-60 when it talked about Tommy Johnson saying that he sold his soul to the Devil. It seems as if the people there really believed it. Always before, I had considered this phrase just like a metaphor, but these people don't seem to view it that way. It was also interesting for me because when he said that, I remembered that the man on "O Brother, Where Art Thou" said the same thing. Was it a common thing to say, or is it just one of those consequences?
Also, being the band nerd that I am, I loved reading about the specific rhythm patterns and melody/harmony lines in differet artists' music. For example, on page 64, Palmer discusses Charley Patton's unique and complex rhythm patterns, and I loved every word of it. I found myself trying to create the overlapping douple-triple beats by tapping on something. Then I realized there were people around me and I stopped.
One other thing that reall interested me was how they used similar lyrical lines or phrases, but changed them to make them thier own. This kind of helped me understand that it isn't always necessarily the words themselves that make an artist unique, but rather the feeling their music gives with the combination of words, musical patterns, and tone.
I'll be done now. Although I wouldn't have to be.
First of all, I found this chapter much more enjoyable than the first one, because it was more about the actual musicians and music. It was really interesting for me to read about the lives of the musicians, then look at the form and lyrics of their music.
Another thing I found interesting was on pages 59-60 when it talked about Tommy Johnson saying that he sold his soul to the Devil. It seems as if the people there really believed it. Always before, I had considered this phrase just like a metaphor, but these people don't seem to view it that way. It was also interesting for me because when he said that, I remembered that the man on "O Brother, Where Art Thou" said the same thing. Was it a common thing to say, or is it just one of those consequences?
Also, being the band nerd that I am, I loved reading about the specific rhythm patterns and melody/harmony lines in differet artists' music. For example, on page 64, Palmer discusses Charley Patton's unique and complex rhythm patterns, and I loved every word of it. I found myself trying to create the overlapping douple-triple beats by tapping on something. Then I realized there were people around me and I stopped.
One other thing that reall interested me was how they used similar lyrical lines or phrases, but changed them to make them thier own. This kind of helped me understand that it isn't always necessarily the words themselves that make an artist unique, but rather the feeling their music gives with the combination of words, musical patterns, and tone.
I'll be done now. Although I wouldn't have to be.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Listening Assignment
After listening to a selection of what Pandora's box gave me, there are just a few things I wanted to mention about the music.
First off all, "Deep Blues" mentioned how each artist has their unique style--something that makes thier music truly theirs. I noticed in a few of the songs, when I listened to more than one song from an artist. Charlie Patton, for example, had a unique vocal slide, which I noticed in both "Shake It and Break It" and "When Your Ways Get Dark". One other artist used a vocal slide, but it was a different style. Also, in both the songs I heard by Skip James ("I'm So Glad" and"Devil Got My Woman"), he used repetitive vocals, with variations in the harmony by the guitar. Many of the other artists had a repititive underlying melody and harmony line, and just changed the lyrics.
One other thing I noticed was that I still heard a little of he talk/sing or shout/sing style we heard in the cajun music. I wonder if they are related like this for a reason, or it just happened like that. I also noticed that in songs with more than one artist listed, there were often spoken vocal additions, such as "un-huh", "yeah", and a kind of snort or grunt. We don't hear that so much in our modern pop music.
First off all, "Deep Blues" mentioned how each artist has their unique style--something that makes thier music truly theirs. I noticed in a few of the songs, when I listened to more than one song from an artist. Charlie Patton, for example, had a unique vocal slide, which I noticed in both "Shake It and Break It" and "When Your Ways Get Dark". One other artist used a vocal slide, but it was a different style. Also, in both the songs I heard by Skip James ("I'm So Glad" and"Devil Got My Woman"), he used repetitive vocals, with variations in the harmony by the guitar. Many of the other artists had a repititive underlying melody and harmony line, and just changed the lyrics.
One other thing I noticed was that I still heard a little of he talk/sing or shout/sing style we heard in the cajun music. I wonder if they are related like this for a reason, or it just happened like that. I also noticed that in songs with more than one artist listed, there were often spoken vocal additions, such as "un-huh", "yeah", and a kind of snort or grunt. We don't hear that so much in our modern pop music.
Monday, September 11, 2006
Deep Blues, Prologue and Chapter 1
While reading the first bit of "Deep Blues", there were several things I found interesting.
First of all was the mention of voice masking(Beginnings, page 36). Being the band nerd I am, I immediatly thought of how the brass in band use different kinds of mutes to add a different sound to the band. I don't think that was necessarily the purpose of the voice masking, though. Sure, it would be more interesting to listen to with the singer singing in various different sounding voices, but I think it had more to do with the theatrics. It mentioned how the singers, with their masks, were believed to be posessed by the gods. Then it also said that this voice masking was more popular in sacred music for the African Americans. This was interesting to me because the Christian faith (which I think they are talking about as far as "sacred music") doesn't much believe in possession or things like that. So the perspective of voice masking must have changed, but it would be interesting to know what they believed it added to spiritual songs.
I also found it interesting when Palmer discussed the wide variety within Blues Music(Beginnings, page 43) He listed all the different types of music that probably contributed to blues. He then explained that blues musicians are influenced by other blues musicians, then add their own twist or distnictive style. I think this is really important. From the small amount of it I've heard, blues seems really personal, so being yourself while singing is part of what makes it blues.
Adios!
First of all was the mention of voice masking(Beginnings, page 36). Being the band nerd I am, I immediatly thought of how the brass in band use different kinds of mutes to add a different sound to the band. I don't think that was necessarily the purpose of the voice masking, though. Sure, it would be more interesting to listen to with the singer singing in various different sounding voices, but I think it had more to do with the theatrics. It mentioned how the singers, with their masks, were believed to be posessed by the gods. Then it also said that this voice masking was more popular in sacred music for the African Americans. This was interesting to me because the Christian faith (which I think they are talking about as far as "sacred music") doesn't much believe in possession or things like that. So the perspective of voice masking must have changed, but it would be interesting to know what they believed it added to spiritual songs.
I also found it interesting when Palmer discussed the wide variety within Blues Music(Beginnings, page 43) He listed all the different types of music that probably contributed to blues. He then explained that blues musicians are influenced by other blues musicians, then add their own twist or distnictive style. I think this is really important. From the small amount of it I've heard, blues seems really personal, so being yourself while singing is part of what makes it blues.
Adios!
Friday, September 08, 2006
About Governor Blanco
So after our discussion about Governor Blanco's speech yesterday, I have some thoughts about it... more about our reactions than her speech though.
I was a little upset when I found out that both classes had spent considerable time discussing the Governor's mistakes in her speech. I had thought, or maybe hoped, that by now we would be old enough to be able to focus on the message of her speech, rather than look for someone to entertain us for an hour. Yes, delivery is important, but on the whole, I though she was a very good speaker. I doubt any of us could talk that long without a few mistakes. Also, we should keep this speech in perspective from her point of view. It is unlikely that she spent months practicing this speech. Yes, she took it seriously, but she has a big job, and she probably spends most of her time on stuff that directly effects the people of Lousianna. At least, that's what I would ask of my governor.
Also, I didn't quite understand the comments about her not really speaking to us. As college freshmen, she said a lot of what we needed to hear. She discussed the importance of the opportunities we will have, then related that to her life. This helped make it it seem more real, and helped it feel less like she was preaching at us. She also talked about the inevitable setbacks we will encounter. We need to hear about this. It is important for us to know that they happen to everyone, not just to us. Again, by discussing some of her setbacks (Hurricane Katrina), it made it easier to listen to.
So basically, I enjoyed the speech, and I don't think all of understand how cool it was to have Governor Blanco visit us.
I was a little upset when I found out that both classes had spent considerable time discussing the Governor's mistakes in her speech. I had thought, or maybe hoped, that by now we would be old enough to be able to focus on the message of her speech, rather than look for someone to entertain us for an hour. Yes, delivery is important, but on the whole, I though she was a very good speaker. I doubt any of us could talk that long without a few mistakes. Also, we should keep this speech in perspective from her point of view. It is unlikely that she spent months practicing this speech. Yes, she took it seriously, but she has a big job, and she probably spends most of her time on stuff that directly effects the people of Lousianna. At least, that's what I would ask of my governor.
Also, I didn't quite understand the comments about her not really speaking to us. As college freshmen, she said a lot of what we needed to hear. She discussed the importance of the opportunities we will have, then related that to her life. This helped make it it seem more real, and helped it feel less like she was preaching at us. She also talked about the inevitable setbacks we will encounter. We need to hear about this. It is important for us to know that they happen to everyone, not just to us. Again, by discussing some of her setbacks (Hurricane Katrina), it made it easier to listen to.
So basically, I enjoyed the speech, and I don't think all of understand how cool it was to have Governor Blanco visit us.
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Questions 4,5, and 6
Ok, for the National Anthem. First of all, I wouldn't change it. Our current national anthem tells an important part of our history, a part that we must not forget. However, if I was forced to change it, I would use themes from several differnt songs about, for or written by the people of our nation. Some examples would include exerpts of "America the Beautiful" and "America", as well as a small portion of Suza's "Stars and Stripes Forever" (but a very, very small portion and definately not the piccolo solo part). It would also be neat to have different styles throughout, especially styles that originated or were especially important in the USA. These would include a Native American type thing, some jazz, blues, country, rock, ect.
As far as performing, I am involved in Concert Band (flute), Flute Ensemble, I've performed solos/duets before, and in high school I was in marching band. I also was involved in gymnastics, and floor routines (in their own way) could be considered music related performance.
If I were to ask Governor Blanko any question, I would ask her if anything that is unique to Lousianna helped them get through the hurricane, and if so, what was it?
As far as performing, I am involved in Concert Band (flute), Flute Ensemble, I've performed solos/duets before, and in high school I was in marching band. I also was involved in gymnastics, and floor routines (in their own way) could be considered music related performance.
If I were to ask Governor Blanko any question, I would ask her if anything that is unique to Lousianna helped them get through the hurricane, and if so, what was it?
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