I can swear that I submitted this blog last week but oh well what can I do. This blog thing has been acting funny lately and since I was looking at my blogs I noticed that this one did not get submitted the day that I did. Well here it is good thing I saved it one word.
When I looked at this question I quickly thought of the genre of Rap music. One of the major things that came to my head was Ostinato which we learned on Monday which characterized African music. The reoccurring beat of rap music is a clear ostinato which characterizes this type of music perfectly, without that you wouldn’t really be able to classify a certain song or artist as rap. This beat must also be perfect to dance to with lots of base and a moderate tempo. Other characteristics that pertain to Rap music would be the choice of lyrics which usually consists of cars, money, and women for a better term it’s pretty weird to here a song without this choice of topics for lyrics but it does occur. One other thing that I can here when it comes to rap music is a catchy heavily repeated chorus for example “Sexy Back” by Justin Timberlake.
When it comes to the image or identity that groups of this particular genre is trying to project I would say it truly tries to emphasize the image of the rapper as a pimp with lots of money, cars, and hoes. Since these are the common topics sung about in this particular genre it is hard to argue against this. If someone doesn’t want to be viewed one way they would not do things that would make them be viewed that way, so in my opinion these rap artist want this image of rappers to continue since many do not stray away from such vulgar lyrics.
Friday, June 1, 2007
Last Blog
The United States is known as a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities making it difficult to pin point authentic original music of the Unites States of America. One can argue that the true authentic music of the land would be American Indian music and I do agree but for my lecture I would focus of modern music of American and that has very little connection to indigenous music. In my lecture I would choose to talk about rap music and rock music. I would choose to talk about the differences and similarities of these very popular genres of American music. Since America is so culturally diverse sub genres within these genres vary depending on the races performing the music. For example there is Latino rap which incorporates Spanish into the mix and the same goes for some rock performed by Latino artists for example the band 311.
I would then go on to aesthetics of both rock and rap music; I would point out that rap music contains ostinato signified by the reoccurring beat, and lyrically focuses on the topics of money, cars, and women. Most of this type of music is made popular by the beat and how good it is to dance to, so one can say that rap music is dance music in the U.S. This is due to the fact that most of the background music is mixed together to produce these beats through sampling others music in turntables, this being the basic instrumentation of rap music. Rock music has been influenced more by jazz music; the distortion of the guitar is a clear example of its influenced. The basic usual instrumentation for rock music would be but is not limited to electric guitar, electric bass, and drum set. Rock music and Rap music similarly have the same type of song structure of verse-chorus-verse-chorus sometimes a bridge and end with the chorus. To show this I would play the rap song “Give it to Me” by Timbaland ft Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake; and would play the rock song “Helena” by My Chemical Romance.
One of the major components of Rock and Rap that I would like to point out is their ability to make statements and the way some bands use music to speak up on societal issues. Although rap now may seem to be more materialistic and shallow; artists like Tupac Shakur made statements about the currents issues of his time and speaks up on discrimination and how change is needed. For this I would play the song “Changes” by Tupac. Another thing that is mentioned by some rap artists would be problems of the government for this I would point out certain lyrics of the song “Propaganda” by the rap group Dead Prez. Rock has similar ways of speaking up about the government and on other issues like the war in Iraq and “Free Trade.” For this I would include songs like “Give it All” and “Prayer of the Refugee” by Rise Against.
Rock and Rap may seem to be on totally opposite sides of the music spectrum but when it comes to societal issues it seems that their mode of speaking to the people is very similar, by using clear uncensored lyrics both genres make a statement to most people in America. It is pretty hard to talk about such a diverse country in not only music but culture especially in a 2 hour lecture but this is the type of music that I would include in my lecture and view on American music.
I would then go on to aesthetics of both rock and rap music; I would point out that rap music contains ostinato signified by the reoccurring beat, and lyrically focuses on the topics of money, cars, and women. Most of this type of music is made popular by the beat and how good it is to dance to, so one can say that rap music is dance music in the U.S. This is due to the fact that most of the background music is mixed together to produce these beats through sampling others music in turntables, this being the basic instrumentation of rap music. Rock music has been influenced more by jazz music; the distortion of the guitar is a clear example of its influenced. The basic usual instrumentation for rock music would be but is not limited to electric guitar, electric bass, and drum set. Rock music and Rap music similarly have the same type of song structure of verse-chorus-verse-chorus sometimes a bridge and end with the chorus. To show this I would play the rap song “Give it to Me” by Timbaland ft Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake; and would play the rock song “Helena” by My Chemical Romance.
One of the major components of Rock and Rap that I would like to point out is their ability to make statements and the way some bands use music to speak up on societal issues. Although rap now may seem to be more materialistic and shallow; artists like Tupac Shakur made statements about the currents issues of his time and speaks up on discrimination and how change is needed. For this I would play the song “Changes” by Tupac. Another thing that is mentioned by some rap artists would be problems of the government for this I would point out certain lyrics of the song “Propaganda” by the rap group Dead Prez. Rock has similar ways of speaking up about the government and on other issues like the war in Iraq and “Free Trade.” For this I would include songs like “Give it All” and “Prayer of the Refugee” by Rise Against.
Rock and Rap may seem to be on totally opposite sides of the music spectrum but when it comes to societal issues it seems that their mode of speaking to the people is very similar, by using clear uncensored lyrics both genres make a statement to most people in America. It is pretty hard to talk about such a diverse country in not only music but culture especially in a 2 hour lecture but this is the type of music that I would include in my lecture and view on American music.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Presentation
Brazilian Samba and Carnival
Brazil is the Birthplace of Samba and it originated from the Portuguese African slave trade in Brazil. Carnival is Catholic festival done every year in Brazil and in other countries a week before Ash Wednesday, in this festival everyone is meant to indulge before fasting. Carnival became an outlet for certain groups to express themselves and includes very colorful attire. Before Afro Brazilians were taken out of the streets and were not able to participate in festival. Native dancers, Samba dancers were forbidden during and a little after Portuguese reign (but remained popular within the lower class). But now everyone is included. 80-85% black population in Salvador Brazil. In Afro-Brazilian religion, Candomble means to pray & evoke ones personal god or saint. Homeland rhythms used to call gods and Candomble preserves these rhythms. Samba consists of many types of dances, with one linked to Carnival, which incorporates European ways. Includes call response and complex rhythms. Now very popular dance music in the U.S.
In Carnival
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOuUmhe6u0E
Sergio Mendez-Magdalenha
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoblz9g13NA
Brazil is the Birthplace of Samba and it originated from the Portuguese African slave trade in Brazil. Carnival is Catholic festival done every year in Brazil and in other countries a week before Ash Wednesday, in this festival everyone is meant to indulge before fasting. Carnival became an outlet for certain groups to express themselves and includes very colorful attire. Before Afro Brazilians were taken out of the streets and were not able to participate in festival. Native dancers, Samba dancers were forbidden during and a little after Portuguese reign (but remained popular within the lower class). But now everyone is included. 80-85% black population in Salvador Brazil. In Afro-Brazilian religion, Candomble means to pray & evoke ones personal god or saint. Homeland rhythms used to call gods and Candomble preserves these rhythms. Samba consists of many types of dances, with one linked to Carnival, which incorporates European ways. Includes call response and complex rhythms. Now very popular dance music in the U.S.
In Carnival
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOuUmhe6u0E
Sergio Mendez-Magdalenha
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoblz9g13NA
Friday, May 25, 2007
Second Half of FIlm
In the second half of the film Latcho Drom we encounter a couple of the same instruments that we saw in the first half of the film. In this part of the film we see some common instruments like the chordophone (which seemed to be the Rebabah) and the tabla.
We also encounter the violin which is a western instrument. Although this is a western instrument those who play it incorporate their culture into it and make it their own. For example in the first scene the manner that the violin is played is directly linked to the context of the song. The way the man is playing on one string gives the music a sorrowful tone, which is clearly linked to the lyrics which pertained to government tyranny.
The accordion was another instrument that was common in the film and seemed to produce more upbeat and dance worthy music. This seemed to unify the people but what was interesting was the translation of the lyrics. Although these songs seemed to be happy the lyrics were actually sad. Another common factor in this music was the melodic emphasis of Eastern European and Middle Eastern music.
This film was very interesting to me and was very effective in showing the transition of music in different cultures. Although these different places contain common instruments everyone seems to find a way to add their own identity in the music while learning from other cultures styles.
We also encounter the violin which is a western instrument. Although this is a western instrument those who play it incorporate their culture into it and make it their own. For example in the first scene the manner that the violin is played is directly linked to the context of the song. The way the man is playing on one string gives the music a sorrowful tone, which is clearly linked to the lyrics which pertained to government tyranny.
The accordion was another instrument that was common in the film and seemed to produce more upbeat and dance worthy music. This seemed to unify the people but what was interesting was the translation of the lyrics. Although these songs seemed to be happy the lyrics were actually sad. Another common factor in this music was the melodic emphasis of Eastern European and Middle Eastern music.
This film was very interesting to me and was very effective in showing the transition of music in different cultures. Although these different places contain common instruments everyone seems to find a way to add their own identity in the music while learning from other cultures styles.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
First half of Film
The documentary started of with women and men singing in the desert; finger cymbals were used, hand clappers, and a Rebabah. As the film progressed into the second scene it showed a child learning to play the Rebabah through imitation, the scene also included the instruments in the first scene but included a Rebabah made of coconut. The third scene was a little more westernized. It was a group of musicians playing inside a restaurant in Istanbul, this part of the film included the violin but also included the rest of the instruments mentioned before.The most common and familiar instruments showed in the film were the tabla and the Rababah in each scene in the film. The tabla in each culture is played to produce a different sound and texture; for example, the Indian tabla is played with the palm and fingers while the Arab tabla is played with just the fingers to produce a more “Arab” sound. The bowed chordophone-the Rebabah- played in the film resembled the Chinese Erhu as well.
The director depicts gypsies’ absorption of music through the Children in the film. The children watch and imitate those around them and take in the traditions of others. For example, the girl imitating the women dancing and the boy playing the bowed chordophone in the second scene.
What I found interesting in this film was the children’s ability to absorb the cultural traditions around them. It is believed that children are quick learners, and the film showed this through children’s ability and curiosity to learn. The world is a diverse place and it is very evident in this film, but one thing that is evident as well is that everyone learns from one another and that different genres of music arise from absorption of other types of musical cultures.
The director depicts gypsies’ absorption of music through the Children in the film. The children watch and imitate those around them and take in the traditions of others. For example, the girl imitating the women dancing and the boy playing the bowed chordophone in the second scene.
What I found interesting in this film was the children’s ability to absorb the cultural traditions around them. It is believed that children are quick learners, and the film showed this through children’s ability and curiosity to learn. The world is a diverse place and it is very evident in this film, but one thing that is evident as well is that everyone learns from one another and that different genres of music arise from absorption of other types of musical cultures.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Representation in the Mass Media
One major and influencial representation in the mass media was the video and lyrics to Prayer of the Refugee by a band called Rise Against. The video depicts the reality of "free trade" and really makes a statement. Reading about the effects and the cruel realities really inspire me to try to make a difference and when i saw this video and heard this song I was amazed.
These are the lyrics to the song:
Warm yourself by the fire, son,And the morning will come soon.I’ll tell you stories of a better time,In a place that we once knew.Before we packed our bagsAnd left all this behind us in the dust,We had a place that we could call home,And a life no one could touch.Don’t hold me up now,I can stand my own ground,I don’t need your help now,You won't let me down, down, down!Don’t hold me up now,I can stand my own ground,I don’t need your help now,You will let me down, down, down!Down!We are the angry and the desperate,The hungry, and the cold,We are the ones who kept quiet,And always did what we were told.But we’ve been sweating while you slept so calm,In the safety of your home.We’ve been pulling out the nails that hold upEverything you’ve known.Don’t hold me up now,I can stand my own ground,I don’t need your help now,You will let me down, down, down!Don’t hold me up now,I can stand my own ground,I don’t need your help now,You will let me down, down, down!So open your eyes child,Let’s be on our way.Broken windows and ashesAre guiding the way.Keep quiet no longer,We’ll sing through the day,Of the lives that we’ve lost,And the lives we’ve reclaimed.Go!Don’t hold me up now,I can stand my own ground,I don’t need your help now,You will let me down, down, down!Don’t hold me up now,I can stand my own ground,I don’t need your help now,You will let me down, down, down!Don’t hold me up…(I don’t need your help, I’ll stand my ground)Don’t hold me up…(I don’t need your help)No! No! No!Don’t hold me up!(I don’t need your help, I’ll stand my ground)Don’t hold me up!(I don’t need your help, I’ll stand my ground)Don’t hold me down, down, down, down, down!
These are the lyrics to the song:
Warm yourself by the fire, son,And the morning will come soon.I’ll tell you stories of a better time,In a place that we once knew.Before we packed our bagsAnd left all this behind us in the dust,We had a place that we could call home,And a life no one could touch.Don’t hold me up now,I can stand my own ground,I don’t need your help now,You won't let me down, down, down!Don’t hold me up now,I can stand my own ground,I don’t need your help now,You will let me down, down, down!Down!We are the angry and the desperate,The hungry, and the cold,We are the ones who kept quiet,And always did what we were told.But we’ve been sweating while you slept so calm,In the safety of your home.We’ve been pulling out the nails that hold upEverything you’ve known.Don’t hold me up now,I can stand my own ground,I don’t need your help now,You will let me down, down, down!Don’t hold me up now,I can stand my own ground,I don’t need your help now,You will let me down, down, down!So open your eyes child,Let’s be on our way.Broken windows and ashesAre guiding the way.Keep quiet no longer,We’ll sing through the day,Of the lives that we’ve lost,And the lives we’ve reclaimed.Go!Don’t hold me up now,I can stand my own ground,I don’t need your help now,You will let me down, down, down!Don’t hold me up now,I can stand my own ground,I don’t need your help now,You will let me down, down, down!Don’t hold me up…(I don’t need your help, I’ll stand my ground)Don’t hold me up…(I don’t need your help)No! No! No!Don’t hold me up!(I don’t need your help, I’ll stand my ground)Don’t hold me up!(I don’t need your help, I’ll stand my ground)Don’t hold me down, down, down, down, down!
Insider/Outsider
1)Some of the times that i feel like an insider and outsider at the same time would be when i visit my family in Mexico. My uncle lives in what I guess you would call a ranch, the town about 15 min away and my cousins are in about the same age group as I am. They are my family and I feel like an insider when it comes to feeling welcome but when it comes to things to talk about and my improper Spanish I feel like and outsider. I'm seen as the girl from "El Norte" (the north) when I meet their friends and can't seem to have the same hobbies.
2) When it comes to music being a part of a whole meaningful event I believe that this is completely true. Music is a reaction and a feeling to music itself. For example; in a rock concert the music is amplified by the guests reactions, artists feed of the energy of the guests, while we feed of the energy of the band. When it comes to religious events the purpose of music is to unify its followers and to praise, well at least that is how feel it is in Catholic church music, there is no purpose to the music if is not to praise and to unify its followers.
2) When it comes to music being a part of a whole meaningful event I believe that this is completely true. Music is a reaction and a feeling to music itself. For example; in a rock concert the music is amplified by the guests reactions, artists feed of the energy of the guests, while we feed of the energy of the band. When it comes to religious events the purpose of music is to unify its followers and to praise, well at least that is how feel it is in Catholic church music, there is no purpose to the music if is not to praise and to unify its followers.
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