Music Chapter 6
Origins of Music Egyptians developed formal music Greek word “harmony” indicates a connection between music and the structure of the universe
ToneThe Scale Basic element of music True music began when someone experimented with a variety of tones Orderly progression of frequencies All cultures that developed music used a scale
RhythmMelody Alternating between stress and unstress Innate, babies clap and drum “Rhythm is at the very center of our lives” Sequence of tones that forms a unity The part we remember, sing along with
Silence Unpublicized ingredient that makes music possible To deepen an appreciation of music, it is necessary to hear and enjoy silence “music is the shaped sound between silences”
Bach Fugue Beethoven Symphony Baroque Fugues-displays of counterpoint Idea is to demonstrate that what for the average person would be an impossibility is indeed well within the capabilities of the performer Beethoven greatly expanded the capabilities of the symphony orchestra Work has transcended time. Ode to Joy
Art SongsFolk Songs By the time of the great composers song was a recognized art form Ave Maria Folk song has followed few aesthetic rules don’t need expert voices or accompaniment Handed down through generations Promote group solidarity
Genres of Folk Music Commemorative songs- keep record of important events Work song- represents hardship, struggle between worker and management Accumulation song- deliberately drawn out, verse after verse (12 days of Christmas) Narrative song- tells a tale, drawn out Protest Songs- make statements about war, pollution, corruption
The SpiritualGospel Songs Roots in slavery Religious subject matter, God’s concern for all Led to Gospel music Music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life Gospel music in general is characterized by dominant vocals
RagtimeJazz America music, from saloons and bars Syncopation-irregular movement, against the beat Scott Joplin- The Entertainer Pattern-ensemble plays once together, then each piece takes a turn doing a variation on the theme improv
Blues Melancholy mood produced by music Usually about the aftermath of passion Billy Holiday
Popular Songs Big Band Era- dance music played by orchestras, upbeat music to escape the Depression and WWII Irving Berlin-composed classics, “White Christmas”, “God Bless America” Frank Sinatra- crooner, possibly the greatest of all vocal stylists
The Beginnings of Rock Rock is the most pervasive musical phenomenon of our time Bill Haley and the Comets (Rock Around the Clock) is the band credited for introducing the musical movement called rock ‘n’ roll Rock is a revolutionary battle cry, ultimate Dionysian music of our time
Little RichardElvis True “father” of Rock Outlandish outfits, playing piano and jumping around Cultural phenomenon, scandalized older audiences Started out spontaneous but studio created force Elvis on Ed Sullivan for the First Time Elvis on Ed Sullivan for the First Time
The Beatles Caught on as no other group has Appealed to “hippies” wanted freedom from constraint Unique haircuts, irreverent attitudes Admired for their honesty and purity of heart
Rock Concert Concert is one of the cornerstones of modern musical culture Art in itself, showmanship, effects, props, multimedia
Hip Hop Newer genre, has become very significant part of society Defines a way of being, “includes rap, baggy clothes, break-dancing, graffiti, vocabulary and a general lifestyle” ◦Rap is a subgenre of hip hop, half-sung half- spoken music ◦Represents a virtuoso use of language and an incredible kind of spontaneous poetry
The Musical Avant-Garde Avant-garde- looks after our best interests, protects us from the dull and familiar Need to be free from restraint Always looking for the next frontier
Life can be enriched if you are willing to listen to the great classics of the past and the perhaps great-one-day experiments of the present.