Running Head: Music of Different Cultures Music of Different Cultures Alicia Watts Grand Canyon University MUS 252 Music Appreciations September 1, 2008 Music provides the soundtrack of our lives. We listen to music to pass time, to relax, and to set a mood. However, as important as music is to our lives, we seldom treat it as a window into history. In fact, American popular music provides an index into certain fundamental historical experiences, such as slavery and immigration. Every group of Americans had its own distinctive musical traditions.
Just like Vicente Fernandez, his music dealt with issues about love, politics, and religion. Infante was an actor and a musician and so in a lot of his movies he performs his songs wearing the classical charro mariachi suit. One of his famous serenata songs “Esta Noche” deals with love and how much he suffers for the woman. These two great artists are not only known for their songs and lyrics but they are also admired because of the great patriotism they have for their country. Since mariachi is an unofficial symbol to
Now we all have our own cup of tea when it comes to music, we prefer certain singers and bands over others, it’s just the way we all out. Music is composed of all thousands of singers all offering a different sound. There are moments in time where a specific note can spark change in us all. A great representation of this would be the world-renowned band, The Beatles. The infamous English rock/pop band of the 60’s, originally named The Blackjacks, first began playing in random shows across the UK and running into some deportation troubles in Germany (Lewisohn, 1992 p.
In section one it’s in E minor - the chords change between Em and G and in section two it’s in G major. The harmonic rhythm describes the way the chord progression moves below the tune in a piece of music. The chords make the piece irregular because they keep changing and this affects the mood of the piece. Instruments and Texture: Capercaillie is a Celtic folk band and they play traditional folk instruments like Uilleann pipes, flute, fiddle, accordion and bouzouki, over the top of more modern instruments like drums, piano/keyboard and bass guitar. It has a polyrhythmic texture - lots of different rhythms are being played at the same time.
Although, many songs they play are religious based on the Catholic ways. They also play Hispanic types of music that is generally used with the flutes, drums, and rattles. Guitars, drums and flutes are popular instruments they use to entertain with their family and friends. Most of the homes owned by Catholics are decorated with a Christmas tree hung with elegant decorations like candy canes or crystal balls. Many people might have something that represents the nativity when baby Jesus was born.
The Beatles go from all different styles starting from being a typical rock band using just bass/guitar’s and drums to orchestra instruments such as the harp. It is said that the song “Lucy in the sky with diamonds” was written about an acid trip John Lennon once had. “Within you without you” has a very middle eastern feel to it, it helps get in touch with your spiritual side. In the album you have a few upbeat songs, preferably “Lovely Rita”. Although the song is very upbeat, the temp of beat does not change.
There are many people who contribute to music but there are just some people who had an impact on the genre as a whole. Some of those people in the old generation were Elvis Presley, Little Richard, and Buddy Holly. Chuck Berry was one of the first black rock and roll performers to appeal to black and white audiences. Since Elvis Presley, The Beatles had the greatest impact on rock music. (The history of rock music) Every music genre has its own identity.
From its composition in the early history of the United States until now, The Star Spangled Banner has carried on a long tradition as America’s national anthem, depicting the patriotism and pride of its people. Since then, various artists have performed their own renditions of the original tune; modifications include rearranging melodic lines, adding harmonies, and changing texture or timbre, sometimes eliminating human voices altogether in favor of instrumentals, just to name a few. These alterations often have a significant effect on the expression of the music, and even two versions performed on the same instrument can sound dramatically different. As a result of variations in basic musical elements, the affect of trumpeter Kevin Gaffney’s
Even in the 50’s rockstars seemed to live a more chaotic lifestyle but this did not become apparent to the public until the 60’s. Drug use has always seemed to be a big part of rock’n’roll and to this day that idea is not fading. LSD being the drug of choice in the 60’s and 70’s was very easily accessible and the artists music seem to imitate the effects of it. This became known as psychedelic rock; there lyrics usually seemed to revolve around something un-tangible like dreams or feelings. In this time you saw artist such as The Beatles, Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan.
Native American Music Native American music is a genre that present day Americans are subconsciously familiar with, as it has been woven into everyday life. However, this music is extremely versatile and has deep roots in the different cultures of the many tribes that once roamed the entire continent of North America. The people of these tribes used music for spiritual, personal, ritual, and celebration purposes, and depending on the intention, different instruments and composition techniques were used. These different types of music blend together to form a cultural experience and helps look into the lives of the Native Americans of the past. Just like with stories of the past, the music of Native Americans was passed down by word of mouth, or by teaching an apprentice how to play an instrument.