Final Blog!

Music in Diverse Cultures has been a great class! I have learned so much information about the music in various cultures around the world. An important thing that I have learned is that even though we have learned much about the music in various cultures such as Indonesia, Japan, Native America, Africa, and Latin America and at times it might have seemed awkward to us to listen to it, it is very normal and accepted in their cultures. It is part of their lifestyle and tradition. One thing that intrigued me about these cultures would be how the instrumentation is similar to those of other cultures. There are a lot of similarities within each musically. One thing I found interesting in a culture would how the Native Americans high trilling voices, falsetto voice, call and response, timbre, pitches, and use of their rhythm are comparatively similar to the music of Africa. The only difference between the Native and Africa would be that the rhythm in Sub-Saharan Africa is extremely complex and layered compared to the rhythm of the Native Americans. The Native Americans have a steady beat whereas the Africans instrumentation is all at once. Its interesting how similar these cultures are than different!


One thing that I realized about my own culture through our discussions is that most of Western music is somehow linked to the music in cultures mentioned previously. There are various aspects of music that we have adopted and have originated into our culture today.

Lastly, this course has inspired me to want to learn about other cultures. I have enjoyed listening and analyzing the music from these cultures in class. Now I understand why music such as the rhythm, styles, genres, and texts are similar but yet different in some ways. This difference is what makes it so interesting though! Also, I look forward in other courses to develop the interest in the different kinds of ways of expressing music. It was especially fascinating to be able to see pictures from India and Africa presented by Dr. Weeks slide shows. Hearing from his experiences made me want to learn even more. I wish I could have been in some of the countries to hear and experience personally! I have learned to accept and have an open mind now of the music from these various countries from all over the world. I could not have done it without Dr. Vaneman's great teaching skills! Thanks!

Cool Stuff Final!

Here is an interesting video of a Gamelan and the sounds coming from the different instruments. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_gzLSB0N5E

This was one of my favorite pictures of a Gamelan, not only it is made out of gold, but because of the layout of the instruments. Also, it is very fascinating that Gamelans can be taken place in any location.



Because most of my friends were involved in the Mikado the past year, I had to include the Mikado in my blog!





Unleashed in the East is a heavy metal band popular today. They come from Tokyo, Japan. I also included a music video of this band group. It sounds very much in comparison to the rock bands today!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYD3IVlv00Y

Music and Society

1) Spirituals and the underground railroad- the slaves did much to relieve the stress that they felt by being thrown into their situation of slavery and unknown. The music was from a lot of their homeland, based on their native countries. It helped them get through these hard times. These slaves would sing songs of freedom and hope. And the railroad was the route they took to get to the northern states in the United States and Canada. Spirituals are a huge part of black religious life even today. For example, in any of the black churches; mainly the Baptists’ churches. “Sweet Chariot”, “Follow the Drinking Gourd” and others are some of the most famous songs song during that time. It is said that there were many hidden codes and messages within these songs. It obviously was their way of communication. Because it was very hard for them to write in order to communicate, their songs were the only means of communication for them. For example the Big Dipper is part of the song “Follow the Drinking Gourd”. It helped to find their way to freedom. A lot of the words having meanings behind them.

2) History of Yankee Doodle dandy- it is a song during the Civil War during the mid 1900s. It is usually played during Memorial Day, and the 4th of July, Independence Day. The words for the song are “Yankee Doodle went to town, A-Riding on a pony; He stuck a feather in his cap, and called it macaroni” (Wikipedia.com) There are many earlier versions of Yankee Doodle dandy as well. Of course this has everything do to with Music and Politics because this includes many war and patriotic songs, national anthems and protest songs. Political music is usually used to send out an important message or idea to people. Because Martin Luther King Day has already passed and Inauguration Day is almost coming to an end, both have had music involved. This shows that music is an important part of special occasions and celebrations. These are great examples of the topic Music and Politics. They are both patriotic songs. During the Inauguration day there were many parades including marching bands and the army. The parades have including a variety of songs.

Sources I used:
wikipedia. com "Yankee Doodle Dandy", "Protest Songs" and "Music and Politics"
http://ctl.du.edu/spirituals/Freedom/coded.cfm

Cool Stuff!

Here are a couple of pictures from my country, El Salvador. I have been to visit several times in the past couple of years. Mainly in Santa Ana, El Salvador and the beach, "Salinitas".



Here are also a couple of music videos that are by famous artists throughout both Central and Latin America. Not only are these songs very popular, but they are high rated and demanded by many. Plus, these are my favorite videos!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJ__YgBOiA0 "Ni Una Sola Palabra"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QJ66ZDWUuI "Una Noche"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6WjGKmomXE "Tu Amor"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zM-UWESU3Qs "No Me Ames"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ncUd7XiwRw "Labios Compartidos"

Music and Rites

Music and Rites have played a major role in my life as well. Rites including weddings, funerals, other special occasions such as graduations.Sometimes I feel as if I am in two places at once. I am usually asked to play for either a funeral or wedding at the Spanish mass. It is very hard to focus on playing the right notes as well as either grieving or celebrating. At times, I play for people I know or do not know. Our music is harmonically based. We train our ears to focus. We use music as our shield for the most part. In Latin America, music sounds out of tune which probably makes it seem very powerful and expressive to them. This is completely normal in their culture even though it may not seem that way to us. One of my experiences is during my senior recital. I was focusing on playing and expressing myself through the music. At the same time, I wanted to make my whole family, teachers, and friends proud. I had family come from Charleston and Georgia to hear me perform the piano and organ. My graduation was another one of my experiences. My sister and I were so excited and anxious to graduate and walk across the stage to get our diplomas. We had to remember to calm ourselves down and to get through the graduation ceremony before we were able to celebrate! Switching to another topic, imagine singing in a funeral or in that case, a wedding! It would be even harder to control your emotions as well as concentrate. Without these rites without music, it would be nothing. It is a very intament part of both. It is hard to imagine it! The specific function of music during these rites is for tradition and pleasure. In my opinion, it makes sense to have music because it makes the occasion and brings it more into perspective. Many people pick out the music they want played or sung for either their wedding or funeral. It is important part of these rituals for the people involved. All sort of music are used depending on the likes and dislikes of people. Today, about anything goes for weddings and is accepted. Many traditional songs for weddings and funerals such as the traditional wedding march and the traditional amazing grace, ave maria are played. It depends on the religion preference on the person and people involved. Other times there are non-traditional music used; this is all acceptable today my modern society. Everything is accepted. You can do whatever you want to do. If someone really detested the wedding march then you would not use it! Of course it could change to reflect the experiences of personalities of the individuals at the center of the rites. The family usually picks the music. The people involved in the rite are the ones that listen to the music and depending on the music, the organ or other accompaniment perform the music. In conclusion, music and rites coincide with one another. These particular rites without music would not be the same.

Music and Religion

Music and Religion play major roles in my life. Because I attended a Presbyterian church as an infant, I do not remember hardly anything pertaining to these two subjects. However, I have been going to St. Paul's the Apostle Catholic Church since I was knee high to a grasshopper. It is a very traditional church. Obviously, clapping, shouting, and waving hands is not acceptable in our church.From my experience in the Catholic Church, the music goes within the readings and mass parts. These mass parts are usually sung or chanted by the people. The purpose of the music is to add to the ambiance and beauty of the mass. After all, we are preparing for the most sacred sacrament, the Eucharist. Also, the music coincides with the different parts of the mass: the Opening Prayer, Greeting, Penitential Rite, Gloria, Opening Prayer, First Reading, Responsorial Psalm, Second Reading, Gospel Acclamation, Gospel, Homily, Profession of Faith, General Intercessions, Preparation of the Altar and Gifts, Prayer over the Gifts, Preface, Eucharistic Prayer, Memorial Acclamation, Amen, Communion Rites, Prayer, and the Blessing. Some of the performing styles that are expected during the mass would be to play during these different parts of the mass and during time of prayer at times. The rules that should be followed during the mass would be that the music changes with the different seasons of the liturgical year: Easter, Lent, and Advent. There are always different mass parts and certain songs that go along with these different seasons. Also, certain mass parts such as the Gloria will be either not played at all or sung differently. Switching over to the aesthetics of both music and religion, the Catholic Church, from my experience, influences what is found aesthetically pleasing in music. For example, some people find chanting relaxing. They like to go to mass early to meditate and pray to the music. The organ is our main instrument at my church. Soft music and Gregorian chants are very popular in our ministry. These chants are usually sung by choirs in some Catholic churches; St. Paul's does not. Our choir and congregation sing responses to the mass. The church values do inherent the way music is built or experienced because music is a inherent part of our mass. You can say the mass parts, but it is better to sing them. Because music is such a major part for Catholics, the music repertoire expands. More and more people have joined the congregation because of its reputation and music. Therefore, the music is not only built through and on these values, but experienced by the community.

Cool Stuff!

I have been looking forward to this assignment! After surfing the internet, I found two interesting websites about Africa along with some pictures. The first website I found was an African Cookbook. It contains many menus and recipies pertaining by the many countries in Africa. It includes the familiar dishes such as appetizers, poultry and fish entrees, desserts, etc. It gives a list of certain ingredients as well as directions on how to make and cook a certain meal. http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Cookbook/Appetiz.html.

The next interesting piece of information I found was a website of almost all the many radio stations in Africa. These radio stations are from the different countries/cities located in Africa: Capetown, Johannesburg, and many others. You are able to listen to the radio LIVE as well. Not only is it exciting to hearing the radio LIVE, but on the side it gives the actual time and temperature/weather for each city/country in Africa! http://www.surfmusic.de/country/south+africa.html.

Finally, I found some pictures representing Africa such as the people, homes, and life.

Music and Movement

In my opinion, music is almost always accompanied by movement in our lives. Without these two components, either one or the other would be affected. As I have stated in my previous blog, I am an organist. I play the organ almost every Sunday at St. Paul's the Apostle Catholic Church as well as accompany the Spanish choir at ORS. Both music and movements play roles in my playing. Usually while I play the organ I tend to move in rhythm to the music. Some musicians tend to sway back and forth more than others; some to much. I tend not to move as much because of I am concentrating on the pedals while both looking at music and playing the left and right hand on different manuals. However, switching to the piano, I tend to move more because I am so withdrawn in the music. Not only does it affect me emotionally, but it affects me physically as well. Otherwise, when I play or listen to music around my house, I sit and listen as opposed to moving around. Although I sit still, the music still makes me want to move. Music is usually linked to movement depending on the music, what mood I am in, and my surroundings. Sometimes it is and at other times it is not. I get lost and let the music take me away because of the way it makes me feel and move. Yes, the music and the movements are fundamentally linked in some way. They are linked emotionally because once you get lost in the music, your emotions take over your body, soul, and mind. In some types of music, either one of these components sometimes take precedence over the other; not in every music. For example, when I dance either merrengue, bachata, salsa, or reggaeton, I let the rhythm of the music affect my movement and body. If either one of them were divorced from the other, it would affect the other one. For instance, the music would not change, but the movement would because of how it affects you depending on the situation. You are not going to go dancing around when there is not any music playing! At least, I wouldn't! To rap this all up, music is a very important aspect of my life. Without it, I would not be complete. I love to dance to many kinds and types of music whenever there is chance. To put in smaller words, whenever I have the opportunity, I go for it!<3

Musical Autobiography

Having been adopted from El Salvador, I have been around a lot of non-Western Art music. Bachata, Cumbia, Merengue, and Perreo are just a few of the Latin genres. This variety of Latin music is not only found in El Salvador, but in all Central America. Coming to the United States at a young age and spending almost my entire life here has been the greatest opportunity given to me. I was raised by a loving American family, able to learn and be accustomed to the different habits and traditions, and most importantly, be introduced to different types of Western Art Music. For example, I was exposed to different types of music through the sports in which I was involved during my childhood: tap, jazz, ballet, and gymnastics. I started to dance when I was six years old at Miss Marions School of Dance. I started out with tap, ballet, and jazz but then switched to Ballet Spartanburg. I experienced music such as pop and popular music, as well as music from broadway, operas, and symphonies. Meanwhile I had been doing gymnastics since I was eight years old and was exposed to a different variety of classical music during my floor exercises. My coaches were Russian and I was able to experience Russian music. I remember going to practice everyday to Kozeevs, and Tamara playing Russian music on the CD player. During my time there, I was exposed to a different way of listening to and appreciating classical music because of my floor routine. Later in my life, I gave up gymnastics for piano. And now I play the organ in which I been introduced to a lot of German pieces that Dr. Couch has included into my musical repertoire.

As I have been growing up around Latinos and speaking Spanish with my family, I have been around Spanish music my whole life. Every Sunday, I go to the Spanish mass at Our Risen Savior (ORS) and play the piano. This reminds me a lot of my country. I have many spanish speaking friends from various different countries from church along with all of my mom's friends as well. Of course, I would not forget to mention my friend from a long time ago, Andrea Contreras. She sang and still does sing for the Mariachi band. She is very gifted and talented. The Mariachi band is usually everywhere I usually go such as weddings, quinceaneras, Mexican restuarants, and other special events. Another experience was also this one time I went on a school field trip to watch a Flamenco, which is a dance originating in Spain. It was interesting to watch the movement of their feet and their costumes. Oddly, I have found myself to enjoy dancing to the Spanish music from going to many parties and clubs throughout the years. Maybe I will be able to dance to music from another country one day.. who knows?

Having taken music history with Dr. Vaneman in Fall 2008, I was introduced briefly to Indian music and the definition of raga.I have enjoyed listening to Indian music when I dine at Five Spices, an Indian restaurant near downtown Sparkle City. Being involved in the Converse Chorale during my freshman year has been a great experience. Not only have I been able to hear my friends perform, but I have been able to both enjoy and sing to the pieces we have been taught in class. In addition, I have two friends, Natasha from Srilanka and Bianca from the Philippines who have introduced me to music from their countries. Hopefully, I will be able to actually travel to their countries one day to hear the music on hands.

In conclusion, I am very excited to be taking this class and learn more about different cultures and their music. It would be nice to learn more about different types of music from all over the world. I look forward to it!<3