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.
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:
- What are the similarities between the Hull/Olatunji readings and the MfP purpose statement (on the home page) and the Bill of Musical Rights?
- In the MfP reading, what did yo have the strongest reaction to, and what was it?
- 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!
Both Hull and Olantunji believe that everyone is musical. Everyone has the ability to contribute a rhythm in the drum circle, no matter how good they are at playing the drums. The Bill of Musical Rights states that no one is non-musical, they just don't have musical experience yet. Music for People helps people come together as a group and play in a safe, open environment, just as Village Music Circles do. They both promote unity and community through improvisational music. The Bill also states that all cultures and traditions need to be recognized. Olantunji has strongly promoted this statement since he came here in 1950. He wants to educate Americans about African culture to help heal the community.
ReplyDeleteI really liked how one reason the Music for People organization created this was for people who might've fallen out of love with music due to harsh criticisms and judgements that come along with it. I'm thankful for the positive teachers I've had, but of course there have been times when I maybe don't feel so positive toward music because a judge tore apart a song, or I keep cracking on a note. Having fun with music in a judgement free zone would be a good way to forget about the criticisms and just let lose through a different form of music. Another point that I really connected with was the statement in the Bill that says - "Your music is more authentically expressed when your body is involved in your musical expression." I completely agree with this. Sounds can be so different if you do a certain arm movement with the sound. You always see singers doing silly arm movements with their warmups because it truly helps create a better, easier sound! It is definitely more authentic and concentrated.
I think that "One Quality Sound" explains useful breathing techniques for playing/singing without tension. It's obvious that singers need to take a breath, but recently my piano teacher told me to breathe between phrases and after doing that, I could tell a huge difference in my playing. I never thought about breathing for instrumentalists until very recently, and this track explains it very well. "Silence" provides a way of looking at music in a way I've never thought before either. They say how silence is sound, and that "we are always playing a duet with silence". That's kinda cool. I think these tracks provide great lessons for changing someone's playing through mentality rather than technique.
Your insight into the articles and into the tracks, Julie, is quite true. Even if one has not been exposed to music, it is still possible to have musical talent. By embracing music a musical experience is had. Yet there are still those who believe that music is only for the musically talented. Those people must see that it is imperative that all people are open to music, for then the joy of music spreads.
DeleteThe Music for People organization is smart to target people who have fallen out of love wth music. As a musician who has faced criticism from her fellow musicians, I can say that it is difficult to let comments slide. Absorbing negativity is also difficult, as is telling yourself that negative comments are meant to help you. But as musicians, as human beings, we must rise to the challenge by showing that negativity cannot injure us. We must treat negativity as a catalyst of progress.
The basic philosophies of Olatunji and Music for People are remarkably similar. One thing they have in common is the belief that music doesn't require a thoroughly trained musician or perfection to be enjoyable. Anyone can participate in music in their own way. Each also stressed the importance of being in community with other people and the earth/spirit as well. Music is utilized as an outlet for expression and release. Olatunji and the Music for People Bill of Rights also emphasize the existence and importance of other types of music besdies Western/European. Improvization is very prominent in both of these ways of thinking, both as a musical tool for expression and as a way to build life skills and confidence.
ReplyDeleteI was most affected by MfP's purpose of "revitalizing your music-making". It is so wonderful that they understand how an education in music can drain the joy of music from a musician. So often, an enormous amount of pressure is applied to become perfect and meet impossibly high expectations. This is important and has its place, but it can be taken too far. It's essential that musicians be given the opportunity to just play, sing, or create without fear of repercussions or imperfection once in a while. I almost decided not to be a music major because I didn't want to ever have to deal with the study of music becoming a "job"; the thought was just unbearable to me. Music has always been my escape, and I didn't want to risk reaching a point where music would be the problem, because then I would have almost nowhere else to turn. I haven't had any problems with that here, but it's still nice to know there are groups out there who understand and are fighting to counteract that.
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the Darling Conversations. In the intro, there was a wonderful description of how they wanted music to be approached, "with self-acceptance and joy, like we're all children again." The statement seemed to just radiate a light-heartedness and passion for making music. One concept I particularly enjoyed in One Quality Sound was there is always a sound within us waiting to be released, and that if we release it, then we will naturally be correct. It's such a different way of thinking about music, since we normally focus on what WE want to have happen, rather than allowing what wants to happen to be that way and appreciated. That connection to our natural music within us can be found at any time and in any person with or without previous musical training. I also thought starting to breathe out before making a sound was a great idea for ensuring maximum comfort and ease when making music. Also, I loved the bits of music they played in between the conversations, it sounded so alive and free.
There were many similarities between the two articles, even though they were emphasizing from different points. One side, Hull and Olatunji, was talking about community while the MfP discussed improvisation and playing together with different instruments. When reading the Hull/Olatunji and the MfP, their attitude towards music was focused on how you feel when you play/sing and the joy it brings people. The Bill of Musical Rights was similar as well because it discussed what music should mean to you. It didn't discuss any type of competition or technical terms. What I enjoyed the most about this was that it was showing how music is about making yourself feel better, it doesn't matter how good you are or what competitions you have one. It is about how it makes you feel and if you enjoy it, you should participate in it.
ReplyDeleteThe line that caught my attention the most was "Sincerely expressed emotion is at the root of meaningful musical expression." This is because I have felt so strongly about this my entire life. The music I play when I feel a certain way expresses how my day was and it speaks the words that sometimes I just can't say out loud. It's amazing how much emotion comes from music in general and this line explains how important it is to feel the music you are playing or singing. While in eurythmics class, I learned a lot about expression and feeling within rhythm. It showed me how you must feel what you are singing in order for it to come out the best it can. This line emphasizes the importance of that. When I sing now, I make sure that I can show how much I truly care about every note and how beautiful the piece is. In fact, one of the major things I think about is how the composer wanted the song to sound like. Of course I won't ever know for sure, but by feeling the music I can try my best!
I was extremely interested in the Darling Conversations. One of the major things that stood out for me was in the "One Quality Sound" when they were talking about the relaxing state of singing. I often have a problem with tensing up, so learning different preparations for singing was very interesting for me. I especially loved the way they were making everything so much more stress free. It makes music so much more beautiful and meaningful. They are right, if you do not prepare yourself your not making your best sound, it's too quick. Being able to sing/play with a nice and easy breathe makes a huge difference and makes it sound so much stronger.
I agree that music is a great way to express emotion. It may be cliche, but I've never met a musician who didn't feel connected to their music in one way or another. I also like how you tied in our eurythmics rotation. Being physically connected to music just adds positively to the physical connection. I think it's great you're incorporating those teachings into your practice!
DeleteHull and Olantuji agree that music is a way for people to return to their roots, a way to descend fromt the height to which technology has elevated us. Music for People has a similar message: music is a way that people can safely find their natural selves. The first point of the Musical Bill of Rights - "Human beings need to express themselves daily in a way that invites physical and emotional release" - also shows that music is an invitation to explore and to release emotions.
ReplyDeleteThe fourth point of the Musical Bill of Rights stood out the most to me : "The human voice is the most natural and powerful vehicle for musical self-expression. The differences in our voices add richness and depth to music." It is obvious that the individuality of each singing voice makes for an array of singers in the world. But more importantly, it the the voice - the msuical abilites that all people possess - that allows all musicians to create art.
In terms of musical performance, the Darling Conversations were highly informative. I very much enjoyed the hosts' perspectives on breathing and on body movement, for their comments apply to both practice and performance. If we are to become the best of our craft that we can be, we have to practice the way that we would perform. The tension that creeps into our bodies as we play and as we sing keeps us from reaching our goals, but we can use the breathing and the movement techniques from the Darling Conversations to combat tension. While we are always fighting bad habits, while we are always searching for ways to improve our gifts, we always know that relaxation performs miracles.
I would completely agree with you on how you talked about the similarities between the different groups and how they believe that "music is a way that people can safely find themselves". I also liked you comment about the Musical Bill of Rights. So many people go for the type of "pop" voices or look for a certain sound. But I would completely agree in that it is so meaningful and how it is a type of expression. It doesn't matter how it sounds, it's how you feel when you are creating the musical art.
DeleteThe purpose of Music for People and the Hull/Olatunji readings both focused on togetherness, forming a community without judgment and the idea that anyone can join to make music. In addition, like Olatunji believed that everyone should embrace their ancestry, the Bill of Musical Rights states, "The European tradition of music is only one sound. All other cultures and traditions deserve equal attention." Each of these readings also highlighted the concept that you don't have to be a talented musician to make music as well as the idea that physical movement enhances one's experience with music.
ReplyDeleteI was struck most by the statement that the human voice is the most natural and powerful vehicle for musical self-expression. Although it's something I've never thought about before, I realize now that this is entirely true. A nervous musician can hide behind her instrument but when singing, a voice will shake or crack revealing the true emotion of the performer. Also, singing allows one to feel each vibration throughout her body. Singers can feel every ounce of their expression as it occurs. This to me seems more "natural and powerful" than the expression felt by instrumentalists who only feel through the touch of their instrument or what comes back to them through the air.
When listening to the Darling Conversations, I was honestly bored out of my mind. The breathing techniques that were discussed in "One Quality Sound" are things that I have been hearing about since starting clarinet in 6th grade. I'm surprised that this is a part of the drum circle curriculum as it is very different from what we do in class. A drum circle is filled with energy and physical movement. These tracks were slow and calm. Don't get me wrong- the music excerpts played between the bits of discussion were beautiful, it just wasn't what I was expecting.
Bea I love that as an instrumentalist you were struck most by how they spoke about the voice. I think that really speaks to how open minded as a musician you are, and making music becomes easier and more beautiful when you become open to other ways to viewing it.
DeleteBea, I like how you gave your honest opinion about the Darling Conversation, even though it wasn't all that positive. Not all music discussion speaks to each musician in the same way, and I like that you were honest. Personally I did find things to incorporate into my practice though.
DeleteOlatunji talked about creating a safe place for people to rhythmically express themselves and in the MfP reading they discuss creating an environment where people feel free to express their inner musical selves. I definitely had the strongest reaction to the reason why they started the group in the first place and that was to “fulfill a key missing element in the training of many skilled music students,” which, as a music student makes me think. Do we think too critically about our art to often? And what could I be overthinking in my own instrument.
ReplyDeleteI really love how they discuss in the Darling Conversations about not second guessing the sound your making and really just trusting in the sound and not letting your conscience over ride your musical ideas. I thought it was really interesting, especially as a singer when the man talked about the breath and how to find a relaxed sound. Compared to in voice lessons it was very interesting.
You ask a question, Annie, that needs to be asked - do we think too critically about our art too often? I belive that criticism is a positive part of the growing process but that constant criticism, even in a practice room, does not help one hone his craft. As artists we should keep in mind that improving is our goal but that an abundance of criticism clouds our love of music.
DeleteI completely agree with Dana, I have been learning that if you think too much about every piece of criticism and try and be perfect based on what people are saying. Although it is important to have criticism because in the end it will make you better but by overthinking your instrument it will not make you better because you are supposed to have it as an natural instinct.
DeleteI agree with you here! We do tend to think about our art to critically. Mostly because it's how we're told that that is the way to learn things: to think critically of them. It's also interesting that you, and everyone else, agrees that having non, or just new musicians play freely in a drum circle is a great way for them to experience music. And no one would be thinking about how badly they could be playing then. But, they still grow as musicians. My point, however unclear it may be, is that we should enjoy our own playing/singing all the time. Even if we're doing an etude or a scale. Maybe it would make us progress a lot faster?
DeleteBoth Hull and Olatunji’s goal is to emotionally and physically involve society in music. Judgment aside, Hull and Olatunji believe that there is music inside every individual. Their message is to emphasize “togetherness” through a common musical experience. This idea seems wonderful to me, because I have felt a sense of togetherness from music with my family and peers throughout my entire life. Being involved in music, in anyway helps each individual to better understand themselves. Hull and Olatunji’s passion for music is powerful, and contagious.
ReplyDeleteIn the MfP reading, I agreed that “music is more authentically expressed when [the] body is involved in [the] musical experience.” When I move with my solo work, I feel more connected emotionally to the piece and my phrasing and musicality improve. I believe that movement and music go hand in hand, and it pleased me to see that mentioned in the MfP reading.
My response to the Darling Conversation was positive. Knowing how to approach music and silence is very important for an individual’s musicality. The talk of breathing, relaxation, and movement were interesting and applicable to everyday practice and performance, even as an instrumentalist.
I love your thought on approaching silence, Lisa! I believe that too often, musicians are unaware of the power of silence. In a grand concerto or in a lengthy aria, rests of either short or long duration keep an audience engaged in the song. After a long period of time sounds blends together, and the magic is lost. Silence gives people the chance to reflect on what has just passed and gives people a chance to prepare for what is to come.
DeleteBoth the Olatunji and MfP were similar in the sense that music is a way for people to come together and express themselves. I loved the fact that everyone is musical, and that everyone can contribute something wonderful to make a beautiful sound. The MfP states, "music for people also strives to act as a catalyst in gathering people together to play and sing by creating safe environments in which they can explore musical improvisation." To me that means while everyone may be playing instruments as a group, music for people also is a safe place to explore just exactly how musical one can be. You can play with different elements of music and can still create beautiful music. The Bill of Musical Rights mentions how there are no unmusical people, just people with not as much experience, and that music is a way to release tension and free emotion.
ReplyDeleteIn the Mfp, I really liked how they were promoting music as a mean of self expression. They also mention how it creates a safe environment to explore musical improvisation. I do wish however that they went more in detail as to exactly how they run the workshop to compare it to Olatunji.
I really enjoyed listening to The Darling Conversations. One quote that really grabbed my attention was "we all have a sound in us that is ready to come out, and we just have to trust that the sound in us is correct and combining with other sounds from different people, they all combine to form one quality sound." There is no way a relaxed sound cannot be beautiful if you just stay relaxed. Being a singer, breath is really important to me, and the conversations made me really think about how to relax when I inhale and that may produce a new sound. In ways it reminded me of a voice lesson, in others, it felt like an entire seperate idea. All in all, a wonderful perspective on things.
Great thinking, Alyssa! Yes, musical improvisation is the key to discovering one's musical talents. Those who say, "I am not musically gifted," are not comfortable with their creativi. They see musicians as a gentry who are endowed with a gift that few persons have. But the "unmusical persons" fail to realize that everyone has musical potential; the fact is that some have tapped into the talents while others have not yet explored their capablities.
DeleteI thought that between Hull and the MfP was to bring people together to play music despite their background. All of the articles talked about expressing music in one's own way as well. The Bill of Musical Rights claims: "There is no "unmusical" people, only those with no musical experience." The MfP further says that learning musicians shouldn't be criticized very harshly, and that they should be praised for their ideas with music.
ReplyDeleteThe MfP's idea that teaching musicians that had "lost their way" was interesting to me. Along with the fact that they believe that the music world has become too full of negative criticism. I would have to disagree. I believe that in order to become a better musician, you have to be criticized in order to get better.
After listening to "One Quality Sound" I felt like I learned a lot about breathing, and how it helps to express yourself. When they talked about making that "internal sound," I thought that was very interesting. It was cool how they mentioned expressing this sound not only through voice, but also through one's instrument.
I definitely agree that you need to be criticized in order to improve, but I think what they were talking about was how some teachers have a tendency to do only that. Criticize, and as important as knowing your weaknesses is, I think teachers encouraging you is also just as important.
DeleteThe Musical Bill of Rights, Hull/Olatunji articles and the MfP website all have to goal of promoting music making in society and ultimately having music bring everyone in society together. Music is a universal language, as many do say, and that can be a strong contributor in bringing peace among all people no matter the type of people they are. These three readings all express how anyone can make music and be musical. It does not matter if you have never played or sung, any and everyone one can be musical. And that ultimately will bring all of us together and educate everyone.
ReplyDeleteThe thing that I reacted to the most in the MfP was when it is said that "Music for People is dedicated to re-vitalizing your music-making and promoting music as a means of self-expression." The goal of the organization is to bring everyone together and ultimately make everyone a better musician. I love that their philosophy is strongly based in the Musical Bill of Rights which states so many insightful things about music and how we all can be super talented musicians.
I really enjoyed listening to "One Quality Sound." The one thing that I really took in was the explanation that was given about breathing when creating music. This information is not only useful for vocalist, but for instrumentalist as well. It is stated in the recording that many instrumentalist don't breath all that much when playing, but when they breath at the end of phrases and show the movement with the music, it makes a huge difference. As a musician you have to always prepare for the sound that you are about to produce and with that preparation, the sound will then come out very relaxed and beautiful. A sound should always be intentional and confident.
I really loved how you related the importance of community and how by not being as musical it can bring people together! It is really important to realize how music isn't about being the best, it's about coming together as one and realizing the music. I think the breathing is really brings out emotion and with the preparation it makes a huge difference.
DeleteBoth readings talked about the same general concepts, that music is for everyone not just a few select few. Music can be a form of expression and should be respected as such. Both MfP and Olatunji want to change the way people listen to and experience music through improvisation, physical and emotional expression.
ReplyDeleteThe biggest thing that popped out to me was when they said “call back to music those who were lost along the way, when the form of their music schooling became too filled with criticism and harshly communicated judgment”. When I read this I was actually a little surprised and offended, they may have not meant it the way I read it, but it sounded like they have something against formal teachings and that all people who had formal training in music schools were “filled with criticism and harshly communicated judgment” which I would strongly disagree with. Once again, they may not have meant it that way but that is how it came across to me when I read it
At first I got really excited because it started with violins and other instruments that I wasn’t expecting. I was expecting drums or other African influenced instruments, but when the “classical” instruments came in I was very excited because I love the sound of classical instruments and was excited to see what they would do with these instruments. But then they started talking, which is fine, but I was really looking forward to what the instruments would sound like. The introduction is pretty much like the statement on MfP, it was nice to know that the two are in fact tied together and that they are helping one another in their musical journey.
I enjoy your excitement from the Darling Conversation! It is easy to see how enthusiastic you are about music. I also understand why you took the "judgement" talk the way you did. As music students, we are trained to hear constructive criticism and improve from it. But sometimes it's nice to make judgement free music with friends!
DeleteOlatunji’s drumming program and the MfP program are similar in that they both believe that music is an important act of expression: for Olatunji it is mostly cultural and for MfP it is focused on expression. However, both programs explain that everyone is musical and can benefit from musical expression.
ReplyDeleteI thought the Bill of Musical Rights was really inspiring, especially “there are no ‘unmusical’ people, only those with no musical experience.” This is a really great way of looking at humans and at music as an essential part of life.
I loved the “Darling Conversations” and found the “One Quality Sound” to be a really interesting way of accessing one’s inner music, if you will. In addition, I think that the idea that music is in the world and just needs to be accessed is so neat! The idea that if we want to experience music we just need to reach out into the air and grab the music that is there is totally inspiring.
I was strongly drawn to two lines – “Your music is more authentically expressed when your body is involved in your musical expression”. It reminds me of the euphrhythmics rotation with Dr. Brockmann. We had this clinic session where some of us get to perform and discuss ways to improve. I observed that engagement of body movements helps performers to express better, in terms of skills and emotions.
ReplyDeleteFrom the listening of Darling Conversations, I was surprised of how breathing could actually apply into not just in singing, many other instruments. Breathing is needed to create the “melody” and “quality”. According to Julie (I didn't catch her last name), “melody” is “one quality sound followed by another”, while “quality” relates to the tensions between the sounds or notes”. Not long ago, I was listening to Yo-yo Ma’s Album. I was a bit disturbed by his strong breathing, but now I see why he and many other performers do so. This relates back to “Your music is more authentically expressed when your body is involved in your musical expression”. Breathing is also a form of body engagement.
Excellent point, Crystal! When musicians are as involved in the breathing process as musicians, at first I am wary of their actions. However, musicians are just like singers in that we must control our respiratory actions so that our music is properly produced. No matter our instrument, before and while creating music we must have control of our bodies.
ReplyDelete