Now thats a "Rap"

Hello everyone and welcome to our last week together. All throughout this ten-week journey we have been discussing many different aspects of music and how it fits into our every day lives. We have touched on a different part of the musical spectrum each week and today we will continue to do the same. We have covered a lot over the last ten weeks, but music is something that is lived day in and day out. Discovering everything there is to know and love about music would be impossible, but it has been fun skating the surface. As we jump into this week’s discussion on Rap or Hip Hop music we look to the present and future of the music industry. This genre is one that is new in comparison to others and is an excellent way to end our time together.

One of the newest musical genres of our time has captured the attention and adoration of millions of people. The genre started in New York City in the 1970s and has progressed steadily ever since. Hip hop is marked by the stylistic elements which include rapping, beatboxing, DJing, scratching, and sampling. All of these elements are what give the genre the unique and desirable quality and sound. This musical genre is far any others and interestingly enough developed along side a culture. Through birth of the music and those who encouraged its growth also came the hip hop culture. The music has had an affect on the culture, just as the culture has had an effect on the music, the two are a pair. Many of the first citings of this musical genre could have been found at block parties. The music brought people of this culture together and could be heard at common day-to-day gatherings and celebrations. As the time continued, the music began to develop with the new technology. With advanced recording and the influence of disco the music began to gain some of its most distinguishing features.

Today the music has grown to new popularity and taken on new admirers, what was a part of a specific culture in New York City has now become a widespread phenomena. The music has taken root in major regions of the United States and can be recognized among young people almost anywhere.

Now that we have learned a little bit about the present and future of one of the newest genres, I think we can all agree we have great things to look forward to in music. As our lives and technologies advance so too will our music. Music is an ever-changing passion and as long as there are people to make it and people who will listen there will always be a love for it.

"Baby Einstein"

Hello all! I hope that everyone has had a fabulous week! I know I did on the beach soaking up some of those beautiful Texas rays! Last week we talked about some of the music that is popular to the Caribbean and tropical places and this week we are going to go in a completely different direction. We all know that music puts us in great moods or even just helps us to feel out the mood we are in, but resent findings have suggested that music can do more than even that. Some people believe that music can actually have positive effects academically on children both before they are born and in their early years.
Research has recently bubbled up that music is great for brain development. When an infant is first born the baby goes through some of the fastest growth he or she will ever complete in their entire life. While going through this vast and quick change music has proved to be a great aid. Nothing stimulates or activates the brain and its functions more than music does, says research Donald Hodges. Will just plain listening to music make one smarter? No, just by simply listening to a piece by Beethoven your IQ will not jump, however surrounding yourself with enriching elements can only help you. When we place ourselves in a world that forces us to take a deeper look or study something that much harder we are doing ourselves a favor. Every time our brain makes a connection is a time when our brain develops in a new way that was not there before. Music makes this possible. Often times music helps us to make a connection or stimulate the mind that it was not stimulated before. Music stimulates not just one region of the brain, but many. Both the mathematical and linguistics part of the brain show signs of stimulation and growth when listening to music. It strikes a nerve within us and sometimes it cannot be explained; yet it happens. Music has been known to work miracles, often times it can completely change the personality of a child. Once shy and meek often changes after a few sessions with classical music, it can break that shell and move to outgoing and forthright. Music is often times said to touch people in ways that strictly words cannot, and I believe that with every fiber of my being. Music can be the key to somone’s soul, and should be treated as such. If it can reach a sick man in a hospital I’m sure it can reach a child at an academic level.
There are many discrepancies as to whether or not this research is true, however, I choose to believe that music is one of the most influential powers on this planet. It might not be able to move mountains, but I do believe it has the power to reach a child.

Don't Worry Be Happy

Hello my music loving friends! I hope that all of you have had an excellent week thus far! I also hope that each and every one of you were able to watch at least some aspect of the Oscars from last week. I know that this blog is currently about music, however the Academy Awards themselves (yes, even the parts without music) are always entertaining and fun to watch. The dresses, designers and tuxes that litter the red carpet are always a joy to take a part in! This week we are going to mix it up some and the music I will be discussing is beach music. Now, you might ask why I want to discuss music you might listen to at the beach during March but the answer is that it is my Spring Break!! I know everyone remembers those times when the school would let out of session for a week in the spring just so all of us who were beginning to go stir crazy could let out some energy. Well this weeks’ selection of music is based on that fun wacky escape that so many call Spring Break.

First I would like to start off by saying the Reggae music is a style of music known all around the globe. It got its start in Jamaica in the 1960s and has continued to grow ever since! This music is easy to recognize do the off beat rhythm known as skank. It is what makes the music so laid back and fun to listen too. Of course it is perfect for the beach! The accent normally falls on the second and fourth beat of every bar, now for all you that don’t know much about music, just know that it is what give it that recognizable feel! This musical style originally formed from African music and also Caribbean music. The two combined to give us this unique musical styling. One of the better known artists of this music genre is Bob Marley, people of all generations know his tunes and his music. One of my favorites by him is written below!

“in every life we have some trouble,
when you worry you make it double
don't worry, be happy

dont worry be happy now
dont worry be happy
dont worry be happy
dont worry be happy
dont worry be happy
aint got no place to lay your head,
somebody came and took your bed,
don't worry, be happy”

-Don’t Worry Be Happy by Bob Marley

So the next time you are at the beach be sure to pick up a couple songs by him! Or maybe try on a new Reggae styling for size, either way its fun exciting music perfect for the beach!

And the Oscar Goes To....

Hello all and welcome to yet another fabulous week of music! I hope that all of you have done some homework of your own and taken the time to figure out that the Academy Awards were aired this evening, March 7^th, 2010! The Academy Awards are one of my most favorite and beloved times of the year. The films, the actors and actresses, the fashion, and most importantly the MUSIC all aids in combining one of the best nights of television. It is amazing that even though the Academy Awards is meant to honor great films that have had countless hours of retakes, editing, and changes, the show is always performed live and always has live entertainment. The actors, actresses and announcers alike all take joy in watching live performances of entertainers not that different from themselves except of course for the stage and the camera. Not only do the stars love to take part in this live show so do millions of viewers from across the globe. Part of the intrigue of course is the mystery of what film will win Best Pictures, and some is the great fashion one sees on the red carpet but it is also the amazing sound and music that accompanies this great show.

Music has been a crucial part of the show for years, not only are there nominees that are honored each year for Best Musical Score or Sound, the music of the Academy Awards itself has stolen the hearts of many. The Academy Awards anthem that is often times used in a way that is far less conventional, yet keeps the show moving, is one of my favorites. When a recipient’s speech has reached that limit, the ever tried and true Academy Awards anthem will begin to blare over the acceptors speech, hinting that their time is up. Often times, however, this just becomes a yelling match between the soundmen playing the anthem and the person receiving the award and becomes quite comical. Not only is there the promise of a lingering recipient or two there is always something special when presenting the different scores from each film. This is another one of my favorite moments from the awards. This year the presentation was wonderful to witness. Sections of each score were joined together for one long overture and then joined with wonderful choreography. The dancers and each dance itself was a reflection of not only the music, but also the film that the music is a part of. The dancers were wonderful as was the music.

If you did not get the opportunity to watch the show tonight be sure to check out the link to a video below! There is wonderful music around us daily! Be sure to never let it pass you by! ­­­­

Rock n Roll Baby

Good evening everyone! Welcome to yet another week of music! I hope that you all have been dancing to the rhythm and music of life! The Olympics last week were a lot of fun to talk about and proved to have more music embedded as the weeks progressed! I hope that everyone took the opportunity to try and catch some of the games, but also some of the great music. Both the ceremonies and the games themselves had music and great entertainment.

This week we are going to talk about a genre of music that has managed to create quite a name for itself. It has been a genre that has caused many scandals and some even attribute some revolutions and that is, Rock. We will jump back in history for a little while to see just what this musical styling had and continues to have to offer. We will see where Rock got its birth and what has made it one of the most influential musical phenomena’s of recent years.

The birth of Rock and Roll originated in the late 1940s and early 1950s. It was a musical genre that took the country by storm and captured the hearts of many. Rock in roll was mostly originated from country music, gospel and blues. It had a rhythm that many could not deny and caused a scene when young men and women began dancing and “thrusting” to the music in a way they never had before. The piano or saxafone originally took the stage as the lead instrument and the source of the music’s unique sound, but later as the styling took flight the instrument of choice became the guitar.

Alen Freed was the first to coin the name “rock and roll” on his radio show. He was referring to new music he was broadcasting and the name just stuck. Other performers of this style began using the phrase “rock and roll” either in their songs or in their names. The phrase took off and is still recognized today.

In the 1950s a new and slightly different sound to rock came about. The music was brought to the attention of audiences though Elvis Presely and Jerry Lee Lewis. This slightly different sound was sometimes referred to as “rockability” but nevertheless was rock and the fans adored it.

The next big name in rock was not even on our own turf. The British band The Beatles took the world by storm. Their presence in the United States is still one of the largest of a musical group. When they were broadcast on television they simply won the hearts of thousands of women and fans across the world. The Beatles were a social phenomena and rock did not take long to follow.

An Olympic Sized Song

Hello all, and welcome to another wonderful week of music! I hope that everyone has had a fist pumping and toe-tapping good time! I thought that for this week’s blog I might split up what I was talking about. First, I thought in light of the Olympic games we could discuss the history of the Olympic Anthem and also other musical components that accompany the games. Second, I thought we might look to another source of music that has great history embedded in its notes. Jazz music. So lets get started!

The Olympic Hymn, more commonly known as the Olympic Anthem, was first performed at the 1896 Olympic games in Athens. This was the start for a tradition that would continue for years to come. Each year the Olympic Anthem was played it would be sung in the country’s native language, something very different from today. This tradition was a staple of the games up until the 1960 Olympic games in Rome. The Olympic Anthem was composed by Spyridon Samaras and was written as a choral cantata. The lyrics were first written in Greek and then obviously translated so that each country could perform the piece when it hosted the games. Kostis Palamas was the Greek poet who placed words to the music. Demetrius Vikelas, the first President of the International Olympic Committee, selected both of these people to compose and create the anthem as we know it today. The hymn is not used as often as it used to be, however can still be heard before announcements and often times at the opening ceremony. Not only does the Olympic Anthem bring countries and people of all kinds together but each country’s individual national anthem also showcases their differences. If a contestant is honored to receive a gold medal, the national anthem of the recipient is played. Hearing the unique differences, yet similarly strong sounds of each anthem’s ring is amazing as an audience member.

The history of jazz is one that is very near to a lot of people but not quite as lengthy as the Olympic Anthem. The music itself has a life form of its own and weaves in and out of much of history. The music first originated in some of the more southern states, combining both African and European music styles. First came New Orleans Dixieland sound in the 1910s, then on to big band or swing of the 1930s and 1940s. Jazz music then continued to transform and influence music as we know it today. Some of rap and hip-hop can be attributed to the sound of jazz. The music was stylistically different and still today marks a different sound. Jazz is a unique class of its own, but can be noted as a contributor to other music forms.

Both the Olympic games and Jazz music have rich history. The sounds of the games and the sound of street are unique and most enjoyable to listen to. For years to come people all around the world will be listening to and celebrating the music. I hope that one day the two sounds will have the opportunity to be joined together in a possible New Orleans Olympic games.

Oh, Say Can You See

Good evening my music loving friends! I hope everyone has had a tune filled week! For this weeks blog I thought it might be kind of fun to talk a little bit about the Super Bowl XLIV last week! I know you might be curious to know why that would be part of the topic of discussion, but really its simple. Music is a huge part of the every aspect of life, including current events!

The Super Bowl is one of the most watched television broadcasts in the world, so to be asked to perform at it is a great honor. We all know that there has been much talk over certain performances in the past, because of the high volume of viewers and the excitement within the performance. Some of the hype has been created due to the talent displayed on stage and some of it was from unexpected moments. Whatever the case maybe, the Super Bowl always promises great music. The other important thing to recognize when discussing the Super Bowl is not only is the halftime performance a great musical moment, but so too is the singing of the National Anthem. Each year the talk about the National Anthem and the performance of it increases and more and more pressure is placed on the performer chosen.

The Super Bowl XLIV played on February 7, 2010 was a night filled with sports and entertainment. Carrie Underwood sang the National Anthem to kick off the game. She is American Idol’s fourth season winner and from there she has grown to stardom. The halftime performance of the 44^th Super Bowl was a British band, The Who. Some of the younger crowd might have found this performance to be some what foreign to them, given The Who’s truly active years took place in the1960s and the 1970s. Although, their music might have been first loved in my parent’s young life, the songs played were familiar to my ear. The Who have left a legacy of great music and still to this day perform at charity events and concerts.

Lastly, music can be found in yet another aspect of the Super Bowl, probably in a place that most would not think to listen for it. If people watch the game at all it is one of the most influential placements for the music industry, the commercials. Music alone playing the background of a commercial can alter the response from their audience. Some commercials have no talking it all most of what the advertisers want to say can be produced through music and text. My most favorite example of this was the Google commercial played during the game. If you haven’t seen it you should check it out here: Parisian Love

I hope this blog has helped to increase the awareness of music’s place in this world. It is simply not just your Ipod and radio, it is much, much more than that! Until next time, keep have a safe and music filled week!