"Stay Humble" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEmHSTmq2bA
"Hearts Out" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viFjMTKsedo
For my week 1 unfamiliar music I chose two from the list provided. I chose "Suite No.1 op.46 from Peer Gynt-Anitra's Dance - Grieg" (3:31) and "Hungarian Dances No.6, D sharp major Vivace - Brahms." (3:28) I wanted to listen to the Hungarian Dance one because I did not know what a Hungarian Dance sounded like. This particular Hungarian Dance starts off slow moving at the beginning which is fine but also is pretty. They use the slow section to crescendo up to the faster moving sections. The song goes between the slow and fast sections towards the beginning. They play around with the tempos and dynamics. At one point, the strings take over the tempo and kind of go at a faster pace then what they were previously going at. Then, the song has a more grand feeling towards 1:42 in the YouTube video. The composer uses a lot of the wind instruments and strings to amplify the intensity of this little section here. Then the higher winds and strings have a fun little lighthearted melody. The brass instruments have a loud ending to that section. The winds and strings take over with a slower melody that is also kind of lighthearted then it picks up speed with the same melody idea along. The strings and I think I heard a bassoon at one point have almost like after beats in the next part as well. I think it sounds as though some strings are playing along with the wind instruments and they do play together nicely.
"Suite No.1 op.46 from Peer Gynt-Anitra's Dance - Grieg" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcEnSITNaGM
"Hungarian Dance No.6 D sharp major Vivace - Brahms" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe4x2XUeHhk
Let's see here...First off, I suppose I will say that I've never heard of Emblem3, but I know the feeling of knowing a band from Cali that breaks up ( to my complete and utter dismay). I'm not much of a fan of rap either, in most of its many forms. I suppose I should ask some questions about the song...like: was it fast paced rapping or slower more mellow? Are the singers pushed to the forefront through most of the songs as far as the dynamic goes? I do think it's interesting and kind of strange to hear about a Saxophone being used in a song that might be identified as rap. I'll take a listen and see if I can see what you're talking about with the instruments and Sax.
ReplyDeleteHookay...after that, I will say that the Saxophone stands out in the song. I also think that they use it quite well. It doesn't sound out of place or strange at all in the song. I also like the melody that the electric guitar follows. The drums, tambourine, and bongos make an interesting percussion sound; as you said. The bass guitar rolls around in the song nicely as well. I don't think I would listen to these guys all the time, but I also don't think that the music was bad.
Good gravy, those titles on your unfamiliar music are a mouthful. The way you described the song makes it sound like a roller coaster ride for your ears. The many ups and downs you put into words make the song sound like a fine cuisine. It sounds as if the song has several bold statements yet understated nuances all spaced out to make you appreciate the piece as many different sections individually as well as a whole track as a single piece (if that makes any sense). It seems like you do a great job as identifying the different families of instruments as the song progresses. I have trouble with that myself since I love to try and identify with how the song makes me feel as opposed to what is going on in the song. I think that's going to be a problem for me in this class. It seems like we're trying to break down music into sound. Which sounds mechanical and apathetic to me I suppose.
Overall I think you're doing well with your journals so far (as related to the class i.e. using vocabulary and following what the assignment is). I think that you're doing well with your song choices too. Broadening your horizons musically is probably one of our teachers hidden agendas. Keep up the good work ^_^
Week 1 Response ~
ReplyDeleteHi Joanna,
You have selected two very different pieces for your first week - wow! I have never heard of Emblem3, but have listened to both of their pieces that you selected. I don't care much for the Stay Humble, although I do enjoy and appreciate the message, it's a bit too repetitive for my taste. However, their other piece, Heart's Out, has a Blink 182 / Fall Out Boy / Green Day sound to it, and I think I like that piece more. I hope my band references aren't considered an insult! :o) Regardless, the sax and mixed percussion are a nice touch and almost give the song a "roots-rock" flavor to it. I think you and I are in agreement here: this was a nice combination of instrumentation, and it was done well.
I'm glad you chose the Brahms. It's from a collection of his Hungarian Dances, which were some of his most popular pieces. This dance, in particular, has what I affectionately refer to as the "schizophrenic" form - it's just all over the place with tempi and mood changes - but this adds to the interest and variety in the piece. This inspiration was formed during Brahms's teenage years, where he earned money playing "popular" music at restaurants and dance halls, giving rise to his lifelong taste for folk and popular music. He was especially fond of the Hungarian-Gypsy style and used it in many of his compositions. As you describe the play-by-play, don't forget to include how all of these element combine to create something as a whole. And last, what do you think a Hungarian Dance sounds like? Do you like it?
Nice work on this!
~JM
Oops....I forgot to add this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungarian_Dances_%28Brahms%29 It's a short excerpt from Wikipedia, as much as I hate using it, it is informative.
Delete~JM