Is 'black music' a valid category of popular music?
Bethany Dumville A224675 Word Count - 1773 Is 'black music' a valid category of popular music? The first problem that arises in attempting to answer this question is actually defining 'black music'. Is it music made by black people, for black people, both or neither? And thus what exactly is it that sets it apart from 'white music'? On a wider scale legally classifying someone as black or white also causes some difficulties. Particularly in earlier decades, different states used different factors to define a black person, e.g., a 'visible' degree of 'Negro blood', one-eighth or one-sixteenth Negro blood etc, (Hatch and Millward, 1987:117). Simon Frith describes black music as 'performance-orientated, based on rhythm and improvisation rather than harmony and composition, essentially emotional and physical in its impact, and spontaneous rather than technical' (Frith. 1983:16-20). So an exact definition of 'black music' is not easily attainable. However several internet dictionary websites define 'black music' as 'music created by African-American musicians; early forms were songs that had a melodic line and a strong rhythmic beat with repeated choruses'. (http://www.hyperdictionary.com/dictionary/black+music). This essay will explore the history of 'black music' in the light of that definition, and discuss whether it is indeed still a valid category of popular music today.
The Symbolism Used by EM Forster in "A Room With A View"
The Symbolism Used by EM Forster in "A Room With A View" During the book, Forster uses many symbols to add atmosphere and make the reader look deeper into the book and its meanings. The symbols are also used to illustrate, (sometimes subconsciously in the reader's mind) what is going on in the minds of the various characters and, in particular, Lucy. He also uses symbols to help explain the characters, atmospheres and social situations during the book. In my opinion the three most significant and most common categories of symbols are Music, Mythology and Location. Music Music is used by Forster to portray the general atmosphere and as a symbol of Lucy's repressed feelings and her development. In the opening paragraph of chapter 3, Forster writes that "Lucy, who found daily life rather chaotic, entered a more solid world when she opened the piano". He goes on to explain why, claiming that "The kingdom of Music is not the kingdom of this world", implying that Lucy plays to escape from this world, the physical reality, to another, the world of music, where passion and emotion thrive. Later on in the chapter, Forster describes her as a "true performer" and builds up the sense of emotion by using phrases such as "she was intoxicated by the mere feel of the notes". The reason Forster uses this is to show that Lucy has a powerful, passionate and emotional personality on the
Niccolò Paganini - Violin Virtuoso and Technique Innovator
Benjamin Scott December 4, 2002 Niccolò Paganini - Violin Virtuoso and Technique Innovator The virtuosic achievements of Niccolò Paganini were so profound that violinists today are still influenced by him. There are many legends surrounding Paganini, most of them describing his unconventional performing style, his incredibly difficult compositions, and his supposed connection with the devil. In order to understand the accomplishments and stories of Paganini, one needs to learn the background of the violinist. Niccolo Paganini was born on October 27, 1782 in Genoa, Italy. He began the study of the violin at a very early age. He was taught by his father, Antonio, a dock worker and amateur musician. His father, dreaming of wealth which a prodigy might bring him, applied cruelty in keeping Niccolò at his musical tasks, punishing each mistake severely, and not permitting relaxation or play. Paganini rapidly progressed in his studies, and began studying with Giovanni Cervetto, and later Giacomo Costa. He also studied composition with Francesco Gnecco.1 At the age of twelve, Paganini already gave concerts in local churches, and had composed some music. The next year, Paganini was sent to study with a famous violin teacher named Alessandro Rolla. Rolla, upon hearing young Niccolo play, refused to take Niccolo as a student because he claimed he could teach Niccolo
The Crisis in Modern Classical Music
The Crisis in Modern Classical Music When told of the fact that classical music is in jeopardy, most Americans would find the idea incredulous. This is, however, the truth, and more serious than most who even recognize the fact realize. Those who do recognize the facts and are working to counteract the present problems, generally acknowledge a few common things as causes. Modern musical technology and financial shortages both have negatively affected the attendance at orchestra concerts. However there are issues from the inside of classical music as well. New, fresh music is not being regularly introduced into the mainstream of classical music. Instead, it relies on the same music that was created long ago. The world's symphony orchestra's are facing a severe crisis that is threatening the very existence of classical music. The time period's in which the majority of our modern classical repertoire is from are the Romantic and Classical periods. These stretched between the mid- to late Classical period, about 1790, to the late Romantic period, about 1900 which yields a time period of approximately one hundred years. Famous composers from this time include Ludwig van Beethoven, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Richard Wagner, Johannes Brahms, and many others. In order to understand the literature of the crises at hand, one must be familiar with the classical music system
Throughout his life, Billy Collins has written many poems and many very successful poetry books. His first book, Poker Face, was written in 1977
Billy Collins In 2001 a new poet laureate was crowned and a new voice; the voice of a poetic everyman was heard by many for the first time. That voice belonged to Billy Collins. Collins was born into a working-class Bronx couple, and grew up in a typical middle-class neighborhood where he went to church on Sundays and listened to jazz music in his free time. This middle-class background and sensibilities are reflected in his poetic style and themes, and in his desire to bring poetry back into the American main stream by making it more accessible to the average reader. Billy Collins was born March 22, 1941 in Queens, New York. He was born into a middle class family. His parents were of Irish descent, and had deep roots in the Irish Catholic religion (Press). Both of his parents held steady jobs; his father was an insurance broker, and his mother was a nurse. During Billy Collins' years up until middle school, he had received a below average education, attending a public school in the Bronx. However, his father became very successful and rather wealthy. Billy and his family then moved to Westchester County, a wealthy New York suburb, where he attended a prestigious private school. After high school, Billy attended Holy Cross College where he received his bachelors degree, then went on to get his Ph.D. in Romantic poetry at the University of California at Riverside. Billy began
Ways in Which Music interacts with Society
Ways in Which Music Interacts with Society One might say that even though people do not practice any music themselves, still they indeed are a part of the ways in which music changes or stays the same, and how genres and new music are created. Music is communication in a way, an expression of the heart and mind, and these expressions are in many ways a reflection on the environment in which the artist finds himself. In this report, we will look at two groups, U2 (rock) and Enya (celtic, classical) looking at their environment, backgrounds, listeners and more. The first group we will look at is U2. U2 are originated from Dublin, Ireland, a city of which Bono describes as a city like all other cities; it has its good and it has its bad (Live Aid 1985). A good line to maybe describe to us the way this band expresses themselves through their music. Their lyrics, mostly written by Edge and Bono are political, religious and quite deep as well. They address issues such as war, drugs, love, poverty and many time the lyrics are poetic and contain a lot of figurative language. Some songs to mention are "Sunday, Bloody Sunday," (a song about January 30, 1972, when agents from the British parachute regiment opened fire on a peaceful group of marchers at a civil rights parade in Derry, Ireland), Pride(in the name of love), Bad, Where the Streets Have No Name, Beautiful Day, Vertigo.
Media Music Essay Music is split into several sub-genres these include; Reggae, blues & soul, classical,
Music basically means genre. Music is split into several sub-genres these include; Reggae, blues & soul, classical, classic rock pop, dance, experimental, folk, country, jazz, pop, rock & alt, urban and world. Reggae is a style of music developed in Jamaica and is closely linked to the Rastafarian movement, though not universally popular among Rastafarians. It is founded upon its rhythm style, which is characterized by regular chops on the backbeat, played by the rhythm guitarist and the bass drum often hitting on the third beat of each measure-- this is called the "one drop." Bob Marley is the international face of reggae - a title as true now as it was when he died 20 years ago. Marketed as a third world rock star Bob became an icon of the 1970s, his conscious and revolutionary music catching the imagination of millions. Blues is a vocal and instrumental musical form which evolved from African American spirituals, work songs, shouts and chants and has its earliest stylistic roots in West Africa. Blues has been a major influence on later American and Western popular music, finding expression in ragtime, jazz, big bands, rhythm and blues, rock and roll and country music, as well as conventional pop songs and even modern classical music. Nat 'King' Cole is one of the most popular American singers of the 1940s and 50s, with a wonderful, smooth vocal style. A
Comparison for the Ages
Jonathan Iosim 828833 7-29-02 A Comparison for the Ages Throughout the course of time, music has changed in various aspects. From the day of yore, when music was listened to almost only at church, to the present where music is hear from anywhere to church, your car, or even an elevator. The actual music texture has changed as well. In a day when music was listened to through a chanting melody, to now where bubble gum pop hits the top of the charts week in and week out. During the many time periods of music over the ages, their have been music composers of all sorts, that in their own uniqueness have contributed a bit to society that no other artist has. The ground left uncovered currently in the music world is not yet known. Music has expanded over generations and generations, and music itself is like time in that it is always changing. Two time periods stick out in the minds of the common contemporary: the time known as the Classical era ranging back hundreds of years ago to the era just experiences in the second half of the twentieth century known as the Classic Rock period. Both era's and generations yielded some of the finest musicians known in mankind. Among some of the famous musicians of these time periods are Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, John Lennon,and Johann Sebastian Bach. Another two men of these two vast and different era's, while completely different in
The British Blues Explosion
The British Blues Explosion By the 1950's, the blues had lost it's primary black audience to soul music, but had gained a new audience of young white kids. To the black audience, the themes of oppression, anger and rebellion were no longer relevant and reminded them uncomfortably of their past history as slaves. In Britain, the popular music scene was dominated by cosy, idealistic songs of romance and ballads from artists such as Ruby Murray, Tony Bennett and Rosemary Clooney. To the post World war Two teenagers, this was just plain boring. Young white country singers, such as Elvis Presley were recording blues for a new generation, and paving the way for Rock and Roll. Performance became equally as exciting as the music, and inspired by black R'n'B' and electric blues stars such as T-Bone Walker and B.B. King. By the end of the 50's, the electric guitar would come to dominate the genre and the way songs were musically arranged. Loud guitars demanded a loud drummer as well. Bill Hayley a middle-aged, white former country and western singer noticed that white teens had picked up the street slang, dances and clothing style of the black youths. Hayley, and his backing band The Comets decided to emphasise the heavy back beat in their music to appeal to the new hybrid fashion, and focus lyrics on themes that were relevant to a teenage audience. In April 1954, the band recorded
I am going to be comparing two items involved with music, and discussing the different styles of these items. One of these items is an article by Sydney J. Harris giving his views on modern day music and the people who listen to it.
Media Coursework I am going to be comparing two items involved with music, and discussing the different styles of these items. One of these items is an article by Sydney J. Harris giving his views on modern day music and the people who listen to it. The other one of these items is a poster, advertising a new album for a band called Suede. The article by Sydney J. Harris is called 'Blasting out Music to Drown out Reality'. This title has been written in formal standard English in big bold writing so it stands out. The beginning of the article starts off with a box of questions that the writer wants the reader to analyse their views on what they really think about music. This box stands out immediately and is used to isolate the readers thinking before they start reading. The article itself has a textbook layout. The article begins with the line '' The contractor sent around two, sullen, slack-jawed young assistants.'' Already this shows the writers prejudice and an abnormal image is given to the reader with the use of these two words. The writer straight away seems to be judgemental. The writer then goes on to say 'they brought with them inevitably as standard equipment for the job, a powerful portable radio which kept blasting away for the full afternoon'. The word inevitably stands out when the writer sees what the repair assistants are carrying. The writer in a way is
