What is the point of Music?
-Why do WE Listen to Music?
-Why do ARTISTS Create Music?
Class #9
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Terms: Define Music Appreciation Define Instrumentation What is the Doctrine of Ethos and where did it come from? Define Katharsis Define Imitation Newer Terms: What are : Frequency - Duration - Volume Define Melody Describe Range Describe Interval |
RHYTHM
Terms: Duration/Note Length, Explicit Vs. Implicit
Review Rhythm Materials From Last Class
Review Rhythm Materials From Last Class
Today we will examine different ways in which Rhythm is Delivered
Rhythm is Delivered - I.E. how we hear it - in many different ways depending on Genre, Instrumentation, and Style etc.
For Example, it could be delivered by a Drum Set in a Rock Band, A Synthesized Beat in a Modern Hip hop Song, Pulsing strings in a String Quartet, or beatboxing in an A Capella Ensemble
No Matter what it is Provided by, Regardless of How fast it is, somehow we always Feel the Beat
So, Given that it is Always There, we want to examine it's Characteristics
Delivery:
What is it being Provided By
How is it being Provided
Explicit -------------------------VS-------------------------------Implicit
Very Obvious ---------------------VS-----------------------------Not Obvious
Rhythm is Delivered - I.E. how we hear it - in many different ways depending on Genre, Instrumentation, and Style etc.
For Example, it could be delivered by a Drum Set in a Rock Band, A Synthesized Beat in a Modern Hip hop Song, Pulsing strings in a String Quartet, or beatboxing in an A Capella Ensemble
No Matter what it is Provided by, Regardless of How fast it is, somehow we always Feel the Beat
So, Given that it is Always There, we want to examine it's Characteristics
Delivery:
What is it being Provided By
How is it being Provided
Explicit -------------------------VS-------------------------------Implicit
Very Obvious ---------------------VS-----------------------------Not Obvious
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Video #1
Daphnis and Chloe -Beginning is void of any real obvious rhythm -Mostly Stagnant notes, or instruments playing long notes s -this creates that spacey feeling, we are waiting for something to ground us -Feel the CONTRAST when finally we get some more explicit rhythm at 0:40 in the strings -They use the lack of rhythm to build to a climax -by 2:30/3:00 we have a solid rhythm (i.e. can tap our foot) Video #2 Now Contrast that with this "Staccato Hora" -Immediately we have something to tap our foot to -makes us want to move much more -the rhythm is explicitly outlined in the music by shorter notes all over the orchestra MORE NOTES = MORE INFORMATION (In the case, Rhythmic Information) Depending on the note lengths that the different instruments are playing, we can alter how the rhythm is implied! Video #3 How does this apply to modern pop music: Try to apply some of those concepts to this modern pop song Questions About Rhythm in A Specific Song How Is the Rhythm being Implied? What is the rhythm being Implied/Provided by? Is it VERY obvious, or NOT VERY obvious? How is this effected by note length/duration? How could he imply differently? What sounds best? Video #4 What if we were to add drums to that track? Questions About Rhythm in A Specific Song How Is the Rhythm being Implied? What is the rhythm being Implied/Provided by? Is it VERY obvious, or NOT VERY obvious? How is this effected by note length/duration? How could he imply differently? Optional: What sounds best? |
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In Class Activity:
For the Following Songs Examine the RHYTHM, specifically focusing on the DELIVERY. Listen to the first 2-3 minutes of the selections. Answer the "Questions about Rhythm in a specific song" and rate the song on the Explicit/Implicit Spectrum. Describe how it is being provided and what is doing it! Remember: For Delivery, we are focusing what and how the rhythm is being provided. Then, how Explicitly. |
Song List:
Stevie Wonder - Superstition Ludwig Van Beethoven - Symphony No. 5 Franz Schubert - Erlkonig Robert Glasper - G&B Gabrieli - Canzona per Sonare No. 2 Questions About Rhythm in A Specific Song
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Class #10
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In-Class Activity: Comparing Cover Songs
Cover Song: a new performance or recording of a previously recorded, commercially released song by someone other than the original artist or composer. Listening to two versions of the same song is a useful way to examine the fundamentals of music. If the new artists aim is to make the same song, but somehow change it slightly to make it different, the choices they can choose from are all related to Rhythm, Melody, Harmony, and Bass. Your Objective is to, as a group, find 2 examples of cover songs, research their backgrounds, and make some observations regarding the Melody and Rhythm Delivery. The final step being to compare the differences, and decide which was most successful. Your group will be provided a work sheet, the instructions for which are in the column to the left. Finding the examples: Use your resources! If you don't know off the top of your head, there are many list online to look from! The best is if the original and cover examples are drastically different from each other! |
Worksheet Information:
Background Info (wiki info): Artist, Release date, writer/composer, information about the recording, relationship between original/cover artist (if any) Instrumentation/Genre: (1) Describe the instrumentation, and (2) try to classify the song into a genre. (3) How has this changed from the original? Melody Delivery: Describe the Delivery. (1) Who is Providing it, and how are they doing it (2) What emotion do you get from the melody, and why are you interpreting it in that way (3) How has this changed from the original version Rhythm Delivery: Describe the Delivery. (1) Who is providing it, and how are they doing it (2) Is the Rhythm more Implicit or more Explicit? How can you tell? (3) How has this changed from the original version |
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Original Artist:
Fleetwood Mac Instrumentation/Genre: Female Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Electric Guitar (solo) Background Information: Both written and sung by Stevie Nicks. British singer and band. Originally released in 1975, now certified Gold. Said to have written it while visiting Aspen Colorado, sitting in a living room looking at the Rocky Mountains while reflecting on her life, which "in many ways, was a landslide at the time" Melody Delivery: (1) The melody is provided by the female vocals. They are comprised of Lyrics. (2) The emotion I get is one of Longing or wanting. Her voice is very subdued, and never reaches a loud volume or high intensity. She is not overcome with emotion but, but the emotions she is feeling are authentic! Rhythm Delivery: (1) The Rhythm is provided by the guitar plucking. There is no drum to outline to rhythm, however the guitar is playing a repetitive pattern of short notes that continues throughout the song. (2) Although the rhythm is there, it is not very explicit. It is implied by the guitar, but not very obviously brought to our attention. |
Original Artist:
Instrumentation/Genre: Background Information: Melody Delivery: Rhythm Delivery: |
Class # 11
Watch Howard Goodall's "How Music Works: Harmony"
Class #12
Cover Song Discussion
To what degree? i.e. how much?
How do you define "original"
- Is it important to preserve the meaning of the original version of the song?
- Is it important to preserve the same musical characteristics of the original song?
To what degree? i.e. how much?
- Could a cover version ever be "original"?
How do you define "original"
Harmony Terms: Harmony, Chord, Chord Progression, Consonance / Dissonance
In everyday language, Harmony means Closeness, Friendliness, or Agreement
Dictionary: "A consonant, orderly or pleasing agreement of parts."
Musical Definition: "The combination of simultaneous pitches"
Dictionary: "A consonant, orderly or pleasing agreement of parts."
Musical Definition: "The combination of simultaneous pitches"
MUThe ingredients and the finished product may contain the same things, but they are NOT THE SAME
At some point there is a process in where they change from a collection of ingredients into a whole
I.E.
MUSICAL INGREDIENTS : Instrumentation, Genre, Lyrics, Melody, Rhythm MUSICAL PRODUCT : Song, Music
At some point there is a process in where they change from a collection of ingredients into a whole
I.E.
MUSICAL INGREDIENTS : Instrumentation, Genre, Lyrics, Melody, Rhythm MUSICAL PRODUCT : Song, Music
Harmony :
The sum of all individual/different parts, coming together in agreement to a make a whole
The sum of all individual/different parts, coming together in agreement to a make a whole
Consonance VS Dissonance Tension VS Release Familiar VS Unfamiliar
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As Humans, we have a constant need for the familiar,
while also having a constant desire for contrast. Example: Think of where you live: For most people, HOME is where we feel most comfortable. It is the easiest place for us to relax, and where we feel safest. This is because it is the most Familiar place. But does this mean we want to spend every waking minute at home? NO!! We have this constant desire to leave, to GO OUT, to GO TO WORK, to GO ON VACATION. This is to add Contrast to our life! To Spice things up a bit! But after all these activities, where is that we long to go? Back home! Back to Familiarity! |
Uncomfortable VS Comfortable
Unpredictable VS Predictable Tension VS Release Familiar VS Unfamiliar We see this carry over to many forms of art. Whether or not we LIKE the art can depend heavily on this balance: Too Unfamiliar, we think it is weird Example Too Familiar, it is boring Example Example: Film/Literature: Familiar plots with Unfamiliar twists/variations. |
Harmony as a Musical Device:
How can Harmony create Familiarity, Tension, and Predictability
The Chord Progression
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How can Composers/Artists create feeling of familiarity? How do they create that "home" that we want to deviate from?
One Device is a Chord Progression. Chord: Three notes played Simultaneously Chord Progression: A specific, repetitive arrangement of chords intended to provide familiarity to the listener. |
There are DOZENS of chord progressions ingrained into your ear that you are already familiar with, without even knowing it! This is something composers count on!!
I.e. Many melodies can "FIT" over the same Chord Progressions Common Chord Progression: I V vi IV |
Class #14
Agenda:
(1) New Listening - SALSAAAAA
(2) Analysis Activity
(3) Terms Review
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New Music: SALSA
A World Music Any Striking Similiarities or Differences from Popular American Music? Think: Instrumentation, Rhythm Delivery, Melody, Texture, Timbres ETC. |
Analysis and Evaluation Questions
1. Comment on relevant and significant contextual features such as time period, artist's background and/or elements related to presentation of the album (i.e. album cover) that assist in better understanding the music.
2. Paint as vivid a picture of the music overall using at least five descriptive and colorful words/descriptors, emotions. Explain how you came up with each of them.
3. Decide what your overall interpretation of the piece is. Support that with 2-3 specific musical , lyrical, or contextual points.
4. Overall , Why do you think the artist wrote the music how they did? What do you think they were trying to achieve? Explore any and every possibility, using musical, lyrical, contextual features of the song. i.e. explore all 'Maybes".
5. Why might some hypothetical listener value this music? What different types of listeners might value? i.e. who might appreciate this song, any why?
2. Paint as vivid a picture of the music overall using at least five descriptive and colorful words/descriptors, emotions. Explain how you came up with each of them.
3. Decide what your overall interpretation of the piece is. Support that with 2-3 specific musical , lyrical, or contextual points.
4. Overall , Why do you think the artist wrote the music how they did? What do you think they were trying to achieve? Explore any and every possibility, using musical, lyrical, contextual features of the song. i.e. explore all 'Maybes".
5. Why might some hypothetical listener value this music? What different types of listeners might value? i.e. who might appreciate this song, any why?
Consonance VS Dissonance
Consonant
A simultaneous combination of tones conventionally accepted as being in a state of repose (at rest/at peace).
Dissonant
A simultaneous combination of tones conventionally accepted as being in a state of unrest and needing completion.
******What is Conventionally Accepted? How do we Know*******
?????HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH??????
Too much? Not Enough?
What about in Popular Music?
Beatles Black Sabbath
If Dissonance is meant to be uncomfortable, why would artist CHOOSE TO USE IT?
A simultaneous combination of tones conventionally accepted as being in a state of repose (at rest/at peace).
Dissonant
A simultaneous combination of tones conventionally accepted as being in a state of unrest and needing completion.
******What is Conventionally Accepted? How do we Know*******
?????HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH??????
Too much? Not Enough?
What about in Popular Music?
Beatles Black Sabbath
If Dissonance is meant to be uncomfortable, why would artist CHOOSE TO USE IT?