A Look Into Music Therapy
A Look Into Music Therapy By Jabari Banfield Music has charms to sooth a savage beast, To soften rocks or bend a knotted oak. (Congrave) There are many 'alternative' (or more accurately put, complimentary) methods of therapy being used by man in order to bring about relief, release, healing, maintenance and upliftment. One of the most dominant yet overlooked aspects to alternative treatment is Music Therapy. The power of music to bring about change and healing has been known throughout history and literature. One of the earliest known examples of its use in this way is in the Bible in the book of Samuel; '... whenever the evil spirit was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it; so Saul was refreshed and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.' Centuries later, professional music therapists are now trying to tap into this almost mystical influence of music to achieve similar goals in the lives of their patients. From the young autistic or disabled child to the adult with schizophrenia or Alzheimer's disease, music therapy is being instrumental in the alleviation of these dreadful problems. But how is music capable of healing on physical, mental and emotional levels? For this we seek to answer the question, 'What is music?' What is music? Everyday, music serves us faithfully, playing an integral part of our public and private lives. It is vastly used in
The American Love Story through the Ages
The American Love Story through the Ages Too often people wrongly pigeonhole screwball as any comedy with zany components, from films with personality comedians such as the Marx Brothers to the wacky modern comedy styling's of Jim Carrey. Wes Gehring says, "To clarify the nature and role of screwball comedy, the films of the genre can be examined for five key characteristics of the aforementioned comic antihero: abundant leisure time, childlike nature, basic male frustration (especially in relationship to women), a general propensity for physical comedy, and a proclivity for parody and satire," (Gehring, p.29). In addition to Gehring's assertions, the screwball comedy genre can be characterized by a questioning of conventional marriage, mockery of authority and the rich, and lack of rational discourse through our comic antihero protagonist. However, screwball comedies are often confused with populist and romantic comedies. While this confusion is understandable, the genres are, in truth, very different. For example, romantic comedy's earnestness regarding love, as found in the slow establishment of characters and story to build a strong audience/character connection and provocative adult conversation concerning impassioned conclusions about right and wrong are entirely absent from screwball comedy, and if they were, such sentiments would immediately be subject to satirical
Is prosperous sustenance of contemporary art the fiscal responsibility of the government? Noel Carroll's article "Can government funding of the arts be justified theoretically?" analyzes this question.
Is prosperous sustenance of contemporary art the fiscal responsibility of the government? Noel Carroll's article "Can government funding of the arts be justified theoretically?" analyzes this question. The justifications as presented by Carroll can be seen as an approach towards appeasing the irate tax payers who are demanding to know the reasons behind the spending of public money on prospective art. In light of recent controversies in North America over the merit of artistic work, it's funding and purchase by government institutions, the public has the right to demand the reasons for such allocations of their hard earned dollars. Carroll presents a wide range of theoretical justifications for such spending of public money. These justifications range from issues concerning public welfare to moralistic role of art in society. The main focus of the article lies upon direct funding in the form of grants for the creation of contemporary art. Carroll describes the importance of museums which serve the purpose of preserving the culture and therefore, public funding for museums is a legitimate function of the State. This preservation is critical for educating the public about our past and our cultural roots. Sadly, the same argument cannot be applied to contemporary art because it '...is not part of our heritage yet' (22) and does not possess any educational value. Carroll's
Underlying Message
Jamal Rodriguez Writing 202: Lawrence November 12, 2008 The Underlying Message Art is a high disputed concept due to the human perception of what is actually considered to be art. With artists using grotesque portrayals to express their feelings and beliefs to others, some are unable to see such creations as art. Gory, bloody sculptures and paintings are being discredited by some as art, along with pieces created solely on the basis of the artist's interest in money. One artist who is continually having his pieces of work undermined by art critics is Damien Hirst. Hirst, a British artist, uses the exploration of morality as a central theme to many of his works. In order to display this central theme, Damien used the conceptual art form. According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, conceptual art is an art form in which the artist's intent is to convey a concept rather than to create an art object. The Natural History series, one of Damien's best known series, uses the morality theme by presenting dead animals in tanks of formaldehyde as memento mori, reminding people of their mortality. This series has seen much criticism due to its lack of artistic value, but Hirst has a tendency to focus more on conveying ideas and beliefs in his art using simple techniques, yet still creates very visually appealing works of art. Along with this series, Hirst also has other pieces
Melvin Udall utilises a number of defence mechanisms in dealing with his feelings of anxiety. Repression, being the primary defence mechanism, is utilised a great deal by Melvin. He seeks to eliminate all forbidden id impulses
Pervin and John define anxiety as a "painful emotional experience that signals or alerts the ego to danger."(2001, 107). They argue that humans are incapable of sustaining prolonged anxiety due to the fact that it is a highly painful state (2001, 86). Anxiety is created by forbidden id impulses that are seeking expression (McNeil, 1970: 17). In dealing with such intense anxiety people develop mechanism of defence that serve to repress the forbidden impulses (Pervin & John, 2001: 86). Defence mechanisms according to Freud are unconscious ways of reducing anxiety by distorting reality and excluding some thoughts, wishes, and, feelings from awareness (Pervin & John, 2001: 86). Melvin Udall utilises a number of defence mechanisms in dealing with his feelings of anxiety. Repression, being the primary defence mechanism, is utilised a great deal by Melvin. He seeks to eliminate all forbidden id impulses by his use of repression. Repression is also a common feature of many other defence mechanisms that are used by Melvin. Projection is one of the most frequently used defence mechanisms by Melvin. We see, in many cases throughout the movie, Melvin projecting his feelings of inadequacy onto other people. He does this by insulting them with racial remarks, sexual remarks, and general slander. Empirical evidence has shown that many people will at times project unfavourable traits onto
Down by Law
MOV 351 Comparative Film Analysis Ko Iwagami 4/17/08 "Down by Law" Jim Jarmusch is one of the prominent post-modernist directors whose works produced a profound impression on the audience and often evoked quite controversial emotions. His films are very original and convey the authentic message of the author, but the director often chooses such means of conveying his ideas that his works are perceived in different way by different people. In fact, some people enjoy his films and believe they are genius. One the other hand, there are people who do not really understand his works and are very critical in relation to his works. At the same time, it should be said that his films are destined not only for specialists but also for the mass audience, though the director's ideas may be not always clear for ordinary viewers. Nevertheless, the artistic value of his works is practically undeniable. As a rule, his films are stylistically and artistically rich. The director skillfully applies different stylistic devices, which help him convey his message to the audience. Among films created by Jim Jarmusch, it is possible to single out his film "Down by Law", which depicts the tragedy of main characters who have to pass through serious challenges in the course of the film. At the same time, this film is a perfect sample of post-modernist films, where main characters confront severe
What are the essential features of Chopin(TM)s style?
What are the essential features of Chopin's style? The two Nocturnes which form Opus 62, written three years before Chopin's death in 1846, were described by Kleczynski as 'evidence of an enfeebled creative power.'1 This essay will highlight and explain Chopin's essential stylistic features, aim to discover if they are still prevalent in this work and then decide whether the opinion of Kleczynski is valid or not. One of the most essential features of Chopin's style was 'freedom of melodic line' and this can clearly be seen in both Nocturnes.2 Figure 1 shows the first bar of the second Nocturne's opening theme and how it is varied on its two returns. Chopin's conception of rubato was to 'release the melodic part from all metrical features' and to give his melodies the 'perfect freedom of inflection found in singing.'3 The melody feels "released" and sings out over the metrical left hand which remains the same in each variation. This certainly doesn't sound enfeebled and the melody although initially simple is enjoyable to listen to. If Chopin were enfeebled then it is doubtful that he would have been conscious to keep 'exact repetition to a minimum' in each return of the melody.4 Fig. 1 F. Chopin Nocturne Op. 62 No. 2 Bars 1, 9 and 25 In the first Nocturne of the work the original theme returns with what Fielden calls 'perennial trills' and these do give the music
Why has Richard Wagner been a controversial composer even today?
Stanislav Boyadjiev MUS 101 G 04/02/2009 Why has Richard Wagner been a controversial composer, even today? As in religious and political questions, when race has once been admitted, it becomes a factor of the highest importance in musical controversy. A prominent part in the music and literature of Germany in the 19th century played the popular, but controversial as well, German composer, conductor, theatre director and essayist Richard Wagner. His full name actually is Wilhelm Richard Wagner. Born in Leipzig, Germany on May 22, 1813, unlike most other great opera composers, Wagner wrote both the scenario and libretto for his works. He is primarily known for his operas, called later "music dramas". He is one of the composers who revolutionized opera by writing stage works of unprecedented length and complexity , in which the orchestra was no longer a simple accompaniment to the singers, but an integral part of the action. Wagner made the music continuous, unlike the previous tendency to make an opera as a collection of separate arias and ensembles which could be performed separately . He used a complex system of what are called "Leitmotifs", or melodic ideas which stand for characters , things or ideas in the drama. With Wagner, harmonies became more complex than ever before,
The Yorkville district located in Toronto was a village where young musical and artistic talent could gather and share their love of music during the 1960's.
The Yorkville district located in Toronto was a village where young musical and artistic talent could gather and share their love of music during the 1960's. It was a place that launched the careers of many Canadian artists such as Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell, Ian Tyson, and Neil Young, just to name a few. The area began its legacy with a couple of coffeehouse's that offered live entertainment named the Half Beat and the 71. The entertainment was usually irregular with different styles playing on any given night, such as a flamenco guitarist one week and a folk-rock singing duo the next. As time went on, many other coffeehouses and clubs sprouted up along Avenue Road, Cumberland St. and Yorkville Ave., and at its peak there were over forty clubs and coffeehouses in the area.1 A "scene" was created which attracted musicians from all over Canada and the World but most importantly, solidified Yorkville as a starting point for the most talented and creative musicians in Canada. Yorkville was the foundation in a progression toward popularizing Canadian music in Canada during the sixties. Once musicians became popular in the Yorkville scene, they usually chose to migrate into the United States in search of fame and fortune, which the Canadian Music Industry could rarely provide for them. Yorkville also served as grounds for a youthful social movement which thrived through the
To what extent can The Rite's innovations be boiled down to rhythm alone?
To what extent can The Rite's innovations be boiled down to rhythm alone? The Rite of Spring, first performed to much controversy in 1913, is a ballet unlike any other of its time, before its time or possibly even afterwards. It has almost nothing in common with the idealisms of Tchaikovsky. In terms of subject matter, it is vastly different even to Stravinsky's earlier ballets. It is this difference, a plotline which is harsh and based not on fantasy or folk tales, but on supposed ancient tribal history, which separates it from its contemporaries and predecessors and is reflected so obviously in the music. The most prominent musical difference between The Rite and other contemporary works is the popular claim that Stravinsky has minimized the influence of harmony, melody and overall tonality at the expense of rhythm and meter; in other words, that rhythm is the driving force of the work. From the perspective of the casual listener, this manifests itself as the phenomenon of the percussive nature of instruments that are normally melodious. Stravinsky himself acknowledged the importance of the subject matter to the resultant music from the very start of the composition process. The idea of Le Sacre de printemps came to me while I was still composing The Firebird. I had dreamed a scene of pagan ritual in which a chosen sacrificial virgin danced herself to death. This vision