Homework and Assignments

Spring 2016 Homework & Assignments

Syllabus

Print and sign the last page of your syllabus.

Musical Background Presentation

This is a very small, very short, very low pressure presentation.

The point of this assignment is to give me and the rest of the class an idea of who you in regards to your relationship with music.

Our musical tastes are shaped by our own personal life experiences. This includes all of our experience, but our musical background will certainly influence our relationship with music.

It is important to include any musical experiences that may have influenced or changed how you think about MUSIC

Below are some questions that might help you get started. You are certainly not required to adhere to, and are not limited to these:

- What is your relationship with music?
-Do you/have you ever played an instrument?
-Does your family have a musical background?
-Do your family members play music?
-Do you have musical memories from your childhood, or any other period of your life?
-What are you uses for music?
-What are your favorite types of music?
-Have you always like the same kind of music?

Grading Info: This will be graded as an ASSIGNMENT
(it will not count towards your tests/presentations grade)

Due Date: We will start presentations on WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 17

Cover Song Follow up Homework DUE MONDAY FEB 29

In the next column over there is a list of questions about the cover song assignments we did in class . Answer these questions about your respective original/cover song combo.

You should answer in paragraph form, hitting all the questions at some point in your response. You do not have to answer them in the order they are given, however your paper will be graded according to how thoroughly you answered each one.

Your response should be somewhere (at least) between 1 and 2 pages - typed, 1.5 spaced, 12 point font.

Cover Song Questions

Why do you think the cover artist chose to make their own version of this song? What was their motive, and what were they trying to do?
Did you like the delivery of the melody better in the cover version, or original version? EXPLAIN YOUR ANSWER IN DETAIL!
Did you like the delivery of the Rhythm better in the cover version, or the original version? EXPLAIN YOUR ANSWER IN DETAIL!
Do you think that the Cover artist was successful in what there were trying to do (refer to your answer for motives!)
Which version do you like better? EXPLAIN IN DETAIL!

Hypothetical Listeners: Types of Audiences DUE MONDAY March 28

We have discussed in class that different people value different types of music for different reasons. The reasons people might value a song are endless, from things as simple and superficial as "I value this song because it has a good groove that is easy to move to" to things as deep and personal as "I value this song because it was my Dad's favorite song and we played it at his funeral."

For this assignment, listen to the song Southern Man by Neil Young and try to come up with as many hypothetical listener/audiences that might value this song. (1) Give the Hypothetical listener, then (2) give the reason you think they would find value in this song. Try to think of at least 10 (but you should be able to think of even more!)

Example:

Listener: Dancer
Reason: The drums along with the strumming/slamming guitar provide a solid groove and very explicit rhythm that is easy to move to.

Do Not use 'Dancer' as one of yours.

Blues : Blues Research

The blues, like many genres, have evolved since it's inception. As time goes on, and the performers and audiences diversify, so does the music. For this assignment, you will be required to find 3 Different Blues' from 3 Different eras, and contrast and compare them.

1. Find a blues that was recorded from 1925-1935
2. Find a blues that was recorded from 1955-1965
3. Find a blues that was recorded from 1985-1995
4. For each of your examples, make a list of Analysis related observations (Musical characteristics, lyrical observations, interpretation of the meaning) and Evaluation Observations (i.e. Values, What/who is it good for, Hyp. listeners etc)
5. Draw some conclusions about their similarities and differences in regards to these.

Examine the Examples. Your assignment is to make an informed Judgement about which of the examples is better. Remember, this is a completely different question than "Which do I like more." You will be required to make musical and judgemental observations about the piece, exlain your definition of "best" and to give reasons of why you answered the way you did.
(1) Makes some musical observations for both examples that you think will be significant when judging "which is better."
(2) Choose which one of these songs is better. Why did you make that choice? You must cite at least 6 Characteristics in detail **.
**Do make vague comments like " the beat was better" and give that as a reason - What does this mean? how is it better? does it have to do with explicit/implicit? Delivery? The instrumet providing it? the Speed? The intensity?**
(3) Describe your definition of a good song . In a hypothetical situatoin, if you were listening to "the best song ever," what characteristics would make it the best? AND did any of these fit into you judgement for the exercise today?
Examples:

Comprehensive list of Complete Assignments

1. Signed Syllabus
2. New Music Listening form (in-class 2/3)
3. Movie Observations (in-class 2/8)
4. Musical Background Presentations(2/17)
5. Cover Song Group Activity (2/23)
6. Cover Song Follow-up Homework (due/23)
7. In Class Terms Review (3/9)
8. Hypothetical Listener
9. Evaluation Group Activity
10. Analysis and Evaluations Form (student's choice of song)
11. Blues Assignment #1

Fall 2015 Assignments

Pope Class Assignment

This assignment is in place of our missed class and is to be emailed to me completed by the end of FRIDAY SEPT. 25!

Instructions:
1. Watch the video "How music Works with Howard Goodall - Harmony" . (This video should be embedded to the right, if it is not, you can find it here, or here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwRHu8T1lCs, or search on youtube "How Music works with Howard Goodall - Harmony" .)
2. Come up with 2 Spectrums that would work well for Harmony. ***You may not use the spectrums I have already given you in class, or ones used as examples below***
3. Find Example songs that work well for your spectrums. ***Try to find your own examples, not examples we have found in class***
***If there was one you thought worked well in class that will work well for you spectrum, think of what genre it was and try to find a similar example****

Example: You will come up with 2 like the following

NORMAL SOUNDING ------------------ REALLY WEIRD SOUNDING
"HEY JUDE"--------------------------------------------------"FLOE"

Thanksgiving Assignment

ASSIGNMENT

Research 2 Different types of blues we have not talked about (no Country Blues, Delta Blues, stay away from Rhythm and Blues). Reference the Wiki List of Blues Styles/Genres

For each Style, Provide:

A description of that genre:
-Wiki info
-Who started it, Where did it start, why did they do it
-Brief Comparison with Blues Predecessors

An important Artist within that genre (spearheading/groundbreaking/signifying of the genre) and the following information:
-Why are they important
-Background information that influenced their music

A recording by that artist and the following information:
-Brief Background of the song
-Give your song a score from 1-10 rating it's authenticity
-Analyze - Provide an analysis. This analysis will serve as the defense for your rating, so focus on Authenticity. This will require you to point out Musical Observations, Observations on the message, and how the Background of the artist influenced the song.

1 Form for Each Genre

Genre:________________
-Background info:
-Comparison to Blues Predecessors:

Artist: __________________
-Importance to the Genre:
-Background Info that would Influence their Music:

Recording Example
-Brief Background:
-Authenticity Rating:
-Analysis and Defense