Operas planned five years ahead...

Operas planned five years ahead...

I thought this article about how Operas are pretty much cast five years in advance. I think you all should read it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/23/arts/music/karita-mattila-and-peter-gelb-on-cancellations.html?ref=classicalmusic&_r=0

Barrage

http://www.barrage.org/

Check out this website.  This group, Barrage, originated in Canada.  They are a dancing, singing, violin playing group of young adults who know how to put on an AMAZING show!  I have seen them perform live three times now, and one of the members is a DePauw graduate!

http://www.barrage.org/videoGallery/videoPlayerV4/new_video.html      (VIDEO HERE)

PLEASE do yourself a favor, and become familiar with Barrage!
-Lisa

The music I mentioned in class - PSY's "Gangnam Style"

Last Friday, I have mentioned one of my favorite songs is PSY's "Gangnam Style". I know some of you might have heard it before, but I still want to share the video to those who might not heard of this interesting song. Hope you will like it!

Just a fun fact - PSY (Jae-Sang Park) received his education in Boston University and Berklee College of Music. Huh...

One voice = 108

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSLPH9d-jsI

I found this video interesting because there is only one guy singing the entire thing, as well as one violin. So they recorded themselves around 108 times to make one song. I thought this was really cool.

Drum Competitions in Hong Kong

Since we have been doing many Drum Circles, I thought I would share a clip or two of what we have back home. These clips were taken during the Hong Kong Synergy 24 Drum Competition in 2011. It is organized by Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra. Each year, teams of young percussionists gather together to their passions and enthusiasm in drums. It is the 10th year of this competition in 2012.

I chose these two clips since several concepts we learned previously can be applied to these performances. The first clip has a lot solo parts and ostinatos, while the second one involves inviting other to join the playing. Interesting, both performances include some sort of a conductor leading the team, but they have different responsibilities and roles.

Hope you enjoy the clips like I do! I am going to miss Drum Circle loads!

Just random thought - can we do a flashmob of Drum Circle? We can make our own "drums" and play with them!

Ella Fitzgerald Scatting

i love her!

More than a Band

Yes I do still watch Disney Channel on occasion to bring back memories of my childhood but that it not the point. Like most songs, this song that I chose has an A-B-A layout or I feel/ hear one in it. This song starts out as the group members trying to help a friend grieve the loss of a loved one, but it turns into so much more. The lyrics and songs bring these friends closer together. They all met in detention in this movie, they all found a common idea among them; everyone of them loved music. The principal of their school was more concerned with athletics and was determined to shut the arts program down. These students came up with the idea to get their message across that shutting arts down was bad by forming a band and using their lyrics to songs. Music was what a lot of people listened to at the school so that's what they decided to do to get people to listen. Throughout the movie they had their struggles, but in the end they all came together as friends, got the student body to listen to their songs and the arts program stayed open.
In my hometown, a lot of public schools are struggling to keep their music programs a float. I think this would be a creative idea to help bring awareness to the issue. This relates to the idea in class of how we need to listen to the sounds we are all making and how we can combine them to form something incredible in the end. Drum circles like we have been doing brings the attention of others. music in general does that. Lets share our talent with everyone.

Make your own drum!

I know personally I loved playing the drums we have in class and I was very sad that after the class was over I couldn't play the drums anymore. But! Then I found this video showing you how to make your own drum! I was very excited when I found this video because the drum is so simple, and it actually sounds decent. This is a great way to keep up our education outside of the classroom!

Trace Bundy

This is another great example of an artist who is playing in his own way. I discovered Trace Bundy's music when he came to perform at a church youth conference I attended, which got me really interested in his music. He performs around the US and occasionally world, and has some CDs out (two of which I own). I actually like listening to some of his other songs better, but Hot Capo Stew is one of the best visual examples of how he's departed from the "guitar-playing norm".

This particular song requires the use of 5 capos. The farthest one up is a normal capo, but the others are partial capos that are custom-made for him. Each of the partial capos only affects a few of the strings instead of all six, which is why you see him playing up between the capos sometimes. Despite each song's incredible complexity, the overall effect is generally very calming. I personally enjoy using it as studying/relaxing music. I'll be curious to see what you guys think!

The song to which I was referring in class:

Enjoy!

Not only does this relate to Project Trio in the sense that tUnE-yArDs is creating a new genre, but it also relates to the use of voice to create music instead of singing lyrics.

Obstinato in Barbershop!

I mentioned in my last comment that I find it interesting that Obstinato is used in a lot of vocal jazz music, and other types of music!  I was in this show last year (The Taffetas) and it was so fun and had lots of obstinato lines in it under the soloists.  Here is an example, in which I was the soloist.  However, we did not illegally record it! But here are some other people performing it.  The obstinato line changes from time to time but it is an obstinato line none the less.  "Ee-oo-ee-oo, sha-boom, she-boom!"

Those "Darling Conversations" (comment required)

For Wednesday, you listened to three more selections from "The Darling Conversations": 

• Solo/Drone
• Ostinato
• A-B-A Form

In class on Monday and Wednesday, we explored all three.  

We've been doing repeated patterns, or ostinati (that's the Italian plural), all along, from when we first found a nice groove drumming.  

We've seen how improvising a melody can begin by starting with a single note--your note, one that is coming from the inside.  And how by singing or playing that note, and listening, within yourself, it will lead to another note.  That journey may take you anywhere.  The challenge, and the joy, is to let yourself go where that music wants to take you.  

In the large group, and in small groups, we've discovered what it is to create a background of support for each other to improvise over.  Playing and singing drones, or creating those ostinato grooves. 

And we've experimented with switching from one technique to another, and then back again.  A-B-A (also known as ternary) form.  It's one of the most fundamental forms in Western music.  

Since I was late getting this up, your comment isn't due until Sunday night.  When you do have time to write, comment on each structure, including what you found most interesting in the relevant "Darling Conversation," and on your experience improvising with it.  

PROJECTTrio (comment required)

What was your response to PROJECTTrio?

Those performances (in the recital hour and in Kresge) were not typical classical music concerts.  How were they different? How were they similar?  What did you like?  What didn't you like?

Could classical concerts be more like that? Should classical concerts be more like that?

Let's discuss.

Floating

This is a video of two of the best singers this world has seen - soprano Montserrat Caballé and mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne. They are singing a song from Jacques Offenbach's opera Les Contes d'Hoffman (The Tales of Hoffman) called "Belle Nuit" (Beautiful Night). This type of song is called a barcarole, a type of song that was created by Venetian gondoliers (men who rowed long boats such as the one seen below). The gentle rocking of the gondolier is reflected in the underlying 6/8 tempo of barcaroles.  

When I listen to this song, I cannot help but rock back and forth in time to the music. Listen to it and imagine yourself on a godola floating through Venice. Also imagine yourself imitating this melody on an instrument or with your voice.

Babbling/Scatting

My highschool jazz choir did this piece last year, which was originally a piano piece written by Debussy. Glee did a cover of it with singers scatting. This reminds me of our babbling in class and also "A-B-A" in the Darling Conversations when they scat to Jingle Bells. This shows that you can scat any song and explore it in a new way. I think it would be really fun to babble an instrumental piece that we know instead of babbling with no guideline. Making up sounds for a piano, like in the song above, would be really cool.

Drum Circle Experience

This past week in Drum Circle/ Improv/ Comprov Rotation, I have felt exposed to a new form of rhythmic expression.  Having done jazz band in high school as a jazz violist, I have been introduced to improvisation.  However, Drum Circle is a whole new type of improvisational experience.  Instead of following certain jazz keys and formulating melodies, Drum Circle improvisation is all rhythmic. 

After getting into a groove, the drum lulls my mind into a sort of trance.  I think less about creativity and more about how the rhythm feels.  It is soothing, in a non-melodic way, which is refreshing. 

When the Drum Circle begins a call and response with one another, we are forced as individuals to break out of our shells and act a little silly.  Even though this is not always the most comfortable activity, I appreciate it because it helps me to put aside any lingering shyness.

Reading about Babatunde Olatunji’s work helped me to mentally put the ideas of the Drum Circle into context.  This relaxing activity is used to bring African culture to America and to promote togetherness.  I feel that the Drum Circle has brought our class closer together and has introduced us to a new style of music.  I am enjoying our work in the Drum Circle so far and look forward to next week!

What a Big Surprise

My vocal jazz workshop group sang this song and I found this video a long time ago. Every time I sing accapella music or want to sing it, I play this song. This is because the way they sing their music and perform it is so amazing. Their songs are extremely difficult; yet they sing it perfectly and make it look so easy!

I put this video up because I find it so inspiring. When I think about a sense of communication and togetherness I think of this group. The way they sing their music truly shows how much they love it and how hard they work on each harmony to make it sound awesome. When listening to this group, I not only get goosebumps all over my arms because it's so good but I can hear how they are having fun and have a passion for the music which is how it should be. I wish more artists were as enthused and cared as much as this group does because I think our music industry would be off the charts with this type of dedication.

When I sing this type of music, it makes me feel so good inside and makes me want to have fun. It reminds me of the drumming because each person has to listen to each other voice and completely match their tone to sound perfect. They also each have an important role in the song and have to let each part come out when it needs to. The amount of emotion in their singing is unbelievable. In the articles it discussed how important it is to not only just feel the rhythm but to get in your own groove and I think this group has mastered that.

Funny choral rendition of Call me Maybe.

Ok, so at the Chamber Singers retreat on Saturday Dr. Ristow was talking about how this choir made a full rendition, with orchestra, of the song call me maybe. I thought it was really funny and creative, so I thought you all might like to see the video too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFVhSDQmIxs

Stand By Me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLXiGZsSn_I&feature=related

I Love this video so much! It is proof that no matter what culture, ethnicity, or background we have; we can all still connect with one another through music. Music is a universal language and where there is music, there is peace and harmony. Music soothes our souls and brings us together. In this video each person is in a different part of the world and after listening to others, they choose to put there own love for music into the song and that makes it even more beautiful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrynvRYQcP4

This one above is also a really nice video of how music brings people together. I thought it was beautiful.

First Drum Circle Experience = Conducting experience??

This is my very first time of playing drums for classes. I have to say that I have enjoyed a lot! This is possibly the very first conducting experience in my life. Honestly, I was really anxious, as I was not certain how would other people respond to my signals.

I was not the first the person to get to the center, which I really appreciate Dana’s courage.  I wish I could step up to lead up the crowd once I felt there is the need.

However, as my leading goes, I found it very encouraging. I did not realize myself how much I was enjoying the leading and giving encouragement to others. The more I enjoyed, the more I felt becoming a part of the group.

At the end of the Circle, I was surprised when someone told me that I was great conductor. I was not even thinking about conducting, but just help a little bit of colors into the Circle.

I had a great time this Friday, and I just cannot wait for more Drum Circles!!

I Know Where I Have Been- Hairspray

Throughout the movie Hairspray, there is a big controversy regarding race. Black people want to dance on a television show, however the white people have a different idea. Motormouth Maybelle tries to help her people have  positive mindset by music. During this song, all of the black people, some white, led by Motormouth Maybelle (plaed by Latifah) are protesting segregation and singing these powerful lyrics. This song demonstrates bringing people, a community closer together through music. Another example similar to this would be during the time of the underground railroad. People will tell their plan to others in terms of music. These music techniques helped comunities get through the racial times.

Throat Singing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zZainT9v6Q&feature=related

I find this interesting because for Khoomei style, he is singing overtunes. Which is really cool. And the rest of the types of throat singing are equally as interesting. I kind of tied this together with the idea of have a pitch come from within yourself. Just because it seems that these pitches are often put with spiritual events. 

You raise me up

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RerU3W2tMdY

Besides the fact that the audience in Americas got Talent is one of the most disrespectful audiences I have ever seen, this video is truly amazing. This video is a perfect example of the spirt of music and it amazing power to heal. This man has an amazing story and I hope that you enjoy this video as much as I did.

Good Vibrations

 

 

A pair or a group of atoms is never motionless. It is constantly vibrating, constantly moving away from its equilibrium point. If molecules - grouped atoms - reach their equilibrium point, the electrostatic attraction between the two atoms is zero; they are in perfect harmony with one another. Yet even when molecules reach their equilibrium point, they continue to vibrate. Even when the molecules reach perfection, they continue to improve their movement. Like musicians, molecules always look for a way to improve.

Just as the vibrations of atoms keep molecules in constant motion, it is the vibrations of sound waves that create music. A vibrating object creates sound waves that possess a certain pitch and a certain frequency; those sound waves become the trill of a flute, the plucking of harp strings, the melisma of a song. Vibrations cause the ecstasy and the sadness that an audience feels when listening to music, but the audience does not think of music as vibrations. They do not imagine sound waves traveling at different frequencies to a desination. Instead, an audience imagines the notes of a song that are played by the musicians or are sung by singers; an audience pictures the music.

We are in control of our sound waves that our audiences hear; we know when to play and when to sing certain notes and how we can produce those notes. Even after we create sound waves, we can control their frequencies; we can change the vibrational patterns to make notes higher and lower, louder and softer. What is more, it is our duty to create variation in music because variation is what an audience desires. As musicians, we are responsible for adding variation to life.

According to David Darling, improvisation charges musicians with the responsiblity of controlling vibrations. When musicians engage in improvisational activities, at that time we must be aware of our feelings, for they affect the overall attitude of the improvisation. If a musician has negative energy, the overall energy of the improvisational activity will be lower; thus, musicians should aim to bring positive energy to improvisation. Only then can we reach the goal of abandoning all emotional baggage and expressing our deepest thoughts and our deepest feelings. We are artists who find anchorage in music; let us not forget that our anchorage depends on our vibrations.           



"Don't let your physical limitations interfere with your musical ability."

This quote came up during my piano lesson with May Phang on Thursday when she was trying to convince me to focus on phrasing instead of the notes. At the time I merely took it at face value and turned my attention to the phrase in question. However, that simple sentence has been bouncing around in my head in different contexts ever since my lesson. Previously, I learned pieces (horn, piano, and voice) by mastering the notes and technical skills first and adding in the musicality later. However, that comment turned my practicing world upside down.  Incorporating the nuance, phrasing, etc. from the beginning will help me have a better sense of the piece overall and not get so frustrated when I can't master something immediately. Also, my overall musicality will improve, because I will be able to decide how I want a piece to sound in the end instead of basing my interpretation on how I learned the technical skills within it. It seems like such an obvious concept now.

This is one of the main reasons musicians come to college. By this point in our musical careers, we are mostly capable of learning notes, rhythms, dynamics, etc. on our own. The professors are there to help with those when necessary, but mainly they help us see with a new perspective. It could be a new way to practice, a tip to improve technique, an insight about a composer's intentions, or why music notation exists the way it does. Just like the concept of spiral learning we just heard about, there are always ways to improve upon previously established skills and knowledge, and our professors can help us find those. I'm going to start paying closer attention to the bits of wisdom. I will never know what I could have learned if I had taken the time to internalize them.

The Effect of Music on the Mind

Hello, everyone!
I am sure that some of you have read books such as This is Your Brain on Music,  which talk about the effects of music on the mind.  I think the effect of music, including different types of music, on brain molecules is really interesting.  Here is a brief abstract of a study that a teenager did with mice in which he tested how Mozart, hard rock music, and no music affected learning ability.  As music students, it is really important that we understand the positive effects of music, both in mental capacity and learning ability, like this study shows, and in stress management and community building, like in drum circles.  Music is a wonderful tool!
http://www.edu-cyberpg.com/Music/Mice_and_Music_Experiment_Mo.html

Autism + Drum Circle = :)

After a bit of googling, I came across a news feature about how a drum circle is being used to help children with Autism.

As I started to watch I noticed how the drum acts as a way for these children- who struggle with communication- to speak. It wasn't long after that when the instructor, John Scalici, said, "Rhythm is a universal language." You can see in the video how the students can easily express their excitement and interact with other children as they make music together. In this news clip, we see that the drum is a universal teaching tool as well. I think it's neat how the drum circle was being used to teach autistic students vital social skills, such as patience, and it is also being used to teach university students who have been involved with music for years. Hearing about the progress that these students have made over the years was inspiring and provides proof that you don't have to be a talented musician to make music.  

Another Video

I'm afraid my first post is lacking depth, so I'm making a second one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7XW-go-Xxw

This video is proof that drum circles bring people from different cultures, race, and genders together. It makes me wonder why there are no drum circles where I live! Why have I never heard of these before now? It's such a great, free, communal activity that more people should be exposed to, especially people who do not usually incorporate music into their everyday life. I love the laid back environment it provides and can see myself going to one every once in a while to let loose.

Funny Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhBPsGTfXTw

I don't know if this is the type of post we are supposed to make, but this video is SO FUNNY. "Sh*t Opera Singers Say". This popped up on my twitter feed because I creepily follow an amazing tenor I saw in IU's La Boheme and he tweeted it. Since there are so many singers in our class I thought I'd post it! I think we can all relate to some or most of the things they make fun of.

Homework for Monday 9/17 (Comment Required)

There is a comment required on this.  It is due before class on Monday, not before midnight Sunday.  (So it can be part of next week's blogging activity.)

Since "It's You" seems to be missing from your playlist, listen to the following tracks:

• Vocal Timbre (probably track 3)
• Babbling (probably track 4)
• Articulation (probably track 5)
• Sirening (probably track 6)

Write a comment with at least 4 short paragraphs, responding to each track.  

Documenting Your Blog Posts/Comments

The weekly blogging requirements are to write at least one original post, relevant to the content of the course, and to write comments on at least 5 posts by others.

You document what you've done for your records and mine by sending me an email with the unique URLS of the posts and comments you've written.

Here's how to do that.

For your original post:

• From the main page of the blog, click on the title of your post.
• That will take you to the individual page for the post.
• Copy the URL from the address bar and paste it in a message.
• As an example, here is the URL for the very first post on the blog (which I wrote): http://mus130b2012.blogspot.com/2012/09/welcome-comment-required.html.

For your comments:

• From the main page of the blog, click on the title of the post on which you wrote a comment.  You can also click on the "[X] comments" link to the left of the original poster's name at the bottom of the post.
• That will take you to the individual page for the post.
• To the left of your name, there is a time and date stamp.  Click on that, and a URL that leads directly to your comment will appear in the address bar.
• For example, when I clicked on the time/date stamp on Crystal's comment on that first post, this URL appeared: http://mus130b2012.blogspot.com/2012/09/welcome-comment-required.html?showComment=1347299733280#c3394461223297842858.  You'll see that if you click on that, it takes you write to her comment.  

Email format:

This is important, because if you use this format it makes it easy for me to find your email later in the semester.

• Write from your @depauw.edu account, not a personal account.
• Make the subject "[Your Name] Blogging Week Ending [Date]"

In the body of the email, write:

• "My original post: [URL]"
• "My comments: [list each URL on a separate line]

So it would look like this (using my previous posts and comments as examples):

Subject: Eric Edberg Blogging Week Ending 9/16/2012
My original posts:

• http://mus130b2012.blogspot.com/2012/09/welcome-comment-required.html

• http://mus130b2012.blogspot.com/2012/09/homework-for-wed-912-comment-required.html

My comments (these are from my "homeroom" section):

• http://mus130c2012.blogspot.com/2012/08/responses-to-first-class.html?showComment=1345944265965#c7193691378774377595

• http://mus130c2012.blogspot.com/2012/08/homework-for-monday-comment-required.html?showComment=1345944317824#c6042779233253323765

I hope that's clear!  There is often some confusion the first time these are due.

And remember the deadline for reporting this first week's activity is 11:59 PM Sunday night. 

The real live drum circle . . . what was your experience?

For so much of the day yesterday, I didn't think a drum circle was going to work at the SoM picnic.  The constant drizzle all morning.  Fear that the ground would be too wet.  Or that it would have to be set up too far from where people had gathered.

And then the sun came out.  The ground, it turned out, wasn't all that soggy, especially near the tent.  It was even dry enough for some to sit on.

The new drum circle facilitators did a great job setting things up, welcoming people, and conducting the circle when it was that time.

A comment is not required on this post.  At the same time, I'd love to read about your experience, and how the outdoor circle contrasted with the in-class experiences we've had together.

We'll be doing another drum circle this coming Friday at the all-campus "DePauwpalooza."  Ideas for making that one even better?

Homework for Friday 9/14 (comment required)

As I said in class today, we will have class on Friday.  I have revised the syllabus, so you can check out what's coming up, including listening assignments for next week.

I think you'll enjoy the reading and listening for Friday.  After we do more drum-circle facilitation work, we'll start exploring the Music for People philosophy and approaches to self-expressive, holistic improvisatory music making.

Take a look at the MfP home page: http://musicforpeople.org/my/.

Then read the "Bill of Musical Rights": http://musicforpeople.org/rights.html

Finally, go to http://audio.depauw.edu and listen to "Introduction" and "It's You!" (should be the first two tracks, but double check the titles) from the Darling Conversations.

Update: I understand that the second track on the play list you see (which I can't see) is "One Quality Sound."  So if "It's You!" isn't there, listen to "One Quality Sound."  If you see "It's You" in the play list, listen to it.   

Take notes, of course!  Then write a comment here, addressing three questions:

1. What are the similarities between the Hull/Olatunji readings and  the MfP purpose statement (on the home page) and the Bill of Musical Rights?
2. In the MfP reading, what did yo have the strongest reaction to, and what was it?
3. What was your overall response to the Darling Conversations listening, and what di you find most interesting (or irritating or inspiring or whatever) in it?

See you Friday!

Homework for Wed. 9/12 (comment required)

First off, it was great to meet and drum and dance with everyone yesterday!  As we go through our time together, I expect you'll be continually surprised by what you can do, both as individuals and as a group.

As I mentioned Monday, the biggest reading assignment is the one for tomorrow (Tuesday).  Here it is as in the syllabus:

• Discussion of the (mostly very short) articles from Arthur Hull’s website (
www.drumcircle.com).  Note: you need to read and write a response to these on the class blog BEFORE Wednesday’s class!

• “Change the World” (Interview with Babatunde Olatunji)
http://www.drumcircle.com/articles/baba.html

• “Arthurian Philosophy”
http://www.drumcircle.com/articles/philosophy.html

• “Arthurian Philosophy”
http://www.drumcircle.com/articles/philosophy.html

• “Drum Circle Etiquette”
http://www.drumcircle.com/articles/etiquette.html

• Discussion of Babatunde Olatunji’s album
Drums of Passion, which you can listen to online at http://audio.depauw.edu (login information is the same as Moodle)

(In the original syllabus, I misspelled "Moodle," so I corrected it here, and there, too.)



In class, I asked that you listen to at least three of the Drums of Passion tracks.

I strongly encourage you to print out the articles and put them in a notebook and bring them with you to class.  It's great to interact with texts by circling and underlying ideas you find insightful, provocative, illuminating, or, as often happens, wrong-headed or irritating. You can write your own ideas and responses in the margins.


And, of course, taking old-fashioned notes is a good idea as well!


In addition to your own notes (which you should bring to class), write a "comment" here that:

• is at least two paragraphs long

• discusses at least three points from the four short articles

• and describes your response to listening to a minimum of three of the Drums of Passion tracks.

If you've never listened to African percussion/vocal music before, I'm particularly interested to know your first impressions.

Hello

Welcome! (Comment required)

Welcome to the class blog for the MUS130B rotation on playing in and leading drum circles, improvising using your voices and major instruments (if you're not a voice major), and creating structured, partially-composed, partially-improvised pieces we call "comprovisations."

We use the blog to discuss reading and listening assignments in advance of class discussion, and to contribute to an ongoing discussion about our lives as musicians and members of musical communities.\

By the end of each of the 2.33 weeks we have together, your assignment is to:

• write one original post (we'll explain the difference in class), and
• write comments on a minimum of five posts authored by others (including me).

To make sure you've got the hang of things, post a quick comment now (probably in class, if you've brought your laptop!).