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!

"Music's Biggest Night"

Hello all! I hope you have had a fabulous week thus far! So as promised today I will be discussing the 2010 Grammy Awards! It is as the Grammy’s refer to it “Music’s Biggest Night” and they speak the truth when they coin it that. Music means so much to millions of people and this night is dedicated to honoring those who will make musical history. Most winners have stylized or created musical genius and deserved to be recognized for their talents. So lets dive right in!

I want to start off with a little history about the Grammy Awards, it is important to know when and how these great traditions of ours got started. Knowing some of the history behind the awards will help you as a viewer understand some of the legacy, judging and awarding. The Grammy Awards, originally know as the Gramophone Awards, are presented annually by the National Academy of Recording Artists and Sciences of the United States. It is wonderful and interesting that the word science is used in the academy’s name because there is a true science to the development and achievement of fine musical styling. The awards were started in the year 1958 and were taped an then broadcast under the name, The Best on Record on NBC. In the year 1971 the Gramophone Awards were aired live and could be found on ABC. Nominations and submissions of music can be done through record companies or individuals. Those nominations then are sent to the academy to be thoroughly checked to make sure they comply with rules and regulations. These reviewing sessions comprised of 150 people then go through a series of votes. Finally after the votes and ballots have been cast, there are tabulated. There has been a long line of fabulous tradition and today this program is one that is greatly anticipated.

Now that you have learned a little of the history behind the awards, we can move on to the current 2010 Grammy outcomes! The most important or highly acclaimed awards are Record of the Year and Album of the Year. The Record of the Year award went to Kings of Leon for “Use Somebody” and the album of the year went to Taylor Swift for “Fearless.” Some of the other recipients throughout the night include; Beyonce, Zac Brown Band, Jason Mraz and many more. Some of the performers for the awards include; Lady Antebellum, Lady Gaga, Green Day and Dave Mathews Band.

I hope today you were able to learn a little of the Grammy Award’s tradition, some of which you might not have known! There is so much great history that has been made through the music industry and with awards shows such as the Grammys there continues to be! Musicians deserve the honor and recognition they receive from programs such as this! For more information please access the following website: Grammy.com The website is full of fun facts and links to videos and performances if you missed the show. Thanks again all for “tuning” in!

"If it's not Baroque, don't fix it!"

Hello fellow air guitar players and dashboard drummers! Welcome back to another week of my expression and love for music!
This week is an exciting one for music history because the annual Grammys air tonight at 7:00! As far as the winners and chit-chat about performances from tonight’s show go, I will save it all for next week’s blog! I just thought I would mention it and encourage music lovers to watch the Grammys or Youtube some highlights! With the music industry the way it is today, there are sure to be some exciting moments and surprises!
For today’s musical selection I thought I might do a 180 and take it a completely different direction from that of the Grammys. In fact I would love to discuss the musical genre many call classical. Classical music has been cherished among mankind for centuries and will continue to do so for years to come. With its large and rich sound many listeners and musicians can get lost in the music itself. As instruments changed and developed so too did the sound of classical music. The different movements can be heard and identified by the prominence of different instruments. The source of a huge sound bounding from a stage is evident when watching a 200-piece orchestra play Carmina Burana, and there is nothing quite like it.
The different movements of classical music include the Early Period, the Common Practice Period and the Modern and Contemporary Period. Each of these periods is composed of sub eras and differing styles of classical music.
The Early Period is made up of the Medieval Era (476-1400) and the Renaissance Era (1400-1600). This period is recognizable for it’s roots in monophonic chant that then proceeded to blossom into polyphonic music. The development and shift in the style of music parallels the growth out of the Middle Ages and the birth into the Renaissance.
Following is the Common Practice Period, which is made up of Baroque (1600-1750), Classical (1750-1820) and Romantic (1820-1910) eras of music. Even in a Disney film, The Beauty and the Beast, a trained ear can hear an allusion to the Baroque era.
“if it’s not Baroque, don’t fix it.”
-Cogsworth, The Beauty and the Beast
Lastly in classical music’s long journey, comes the Modern and Contemporary period. This period started in 1910 with Impressionist music and has yet to come to an end. Today, we are still evolving and changing classical music through the help of new composers and innovative ideas.
Classical music is not for everyone. However, the next time you need help focusing on a task or completing some homework, I encourage you to pop in a classical CD, you might surprise yourself. Classical music is the product of some of the greatest minds to ever have lived. Maybe, just maybe, you might be inspired yourself.

References: Wikipedia.com and Imdb.com

Backwards

Music is something that everyone can listen to and enjoy. Throughout the course of this class I will be diving into different types of music and discussing some of my favorites from each genre. If there happens to be a new release that week for the genre of discussion I hope to inform you and encourage you to check it out!

All my life music has played a critical part of my day-to-day activities. Ask anyone, if I’m not listening to music in my room or car, than I’m singing into the showerhead or drumming on my desk in class. I find music everywhere. To be able to share with the class my love for music is truly a privilege. All right well enough about me, lets talk music!

This week I thought I might start off with my favorite genre; country. I know its cliché being here in Texas and all but that’s just the way it is. I am going to start off with a little history of how country was born for all you non-twangers out there. Country music traces its roots back to traditional folk, Celtic, gospel and Spanish music. Each of these different ethnic groups brought something to add to the table that is country music. The fiddle from the Irish was a huge influencer as well as the Spanish guitar. Other various instruments add to the unique sound of country such as the mandolin and the harmonica. Aside from the interesting and specialty instruments, country music tends to have great character. There is a song by Rascal Flatts that plays off of some of the absurdity with country music, its fun when artists recognize and have fun with some of the negative in music.

“You get your mind back
you get your nerves back
Your first heart attack back
You get your pride back
You get your life back
You get your first real love back
You get your big screen TV, a DVD and a washing machine
You get the pond and the lawn
The bail and the mower
You go back where you don't know her
It sounds a little crazy a little scattered and absurd
But that's what you get
When you play a country song backwards”

-“Backwards”, Racal Flatts

Country music is a great “go with the flow” and “hanging out with friends” genre of music. This week there is a new release coming out, one of my favorite artists in this field (so I have been looking forward to it for some time now) Lady Antebellum is to release their second album Need You Now January, 25, 2010. I hope y’all check it out! See you next week!