AZTEC DANCERS
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Cqj1yeKqBg
EL VUH
SEEKERS: http://www.elvuh.com/seekers.mp3
THE RETURN: http://www.elvuh.com/thereturn.mp3
GOING BACK: http://www.elvuh.com/goingback.mp3
CIHUATL TONALI
MUJER: http://www.myspace.com/cihuatltonali
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Friday, June 1, 2007
Week 9
QUESTION: You are an ethnomusicologist giving a 2-hour lecture on American music in a foreign country. What artists, music, genres, and concepts would you choose to represent American music and culture? From what era? Would you choose to give an historical overview since Europeans and Africans arrived, or would you choose to cover contemporary music or one type of music (such as Jazz) or music of various ethnic groups such as Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, etc.? Give an outline of your lecture including listening examples you'd play, and the reasons you chose these musics, genres, artists, etc. to represent American music.
America is not a set country with ideals that fall under one umbrella. It is the melting pot country of the world. With this diversity, people have the freedom and acceptance to express themselves differently. One mode of expressing oneself is through music and dancing. Therefore, as a presenter, I would focus on the diverse music that America has offered and continues to offer to the world through all eras from 20th century to the present.
Music started to have real influence in the world in the 1920's when women began to obtain freedom. They expressed their new love for their freedom through music. The rise of dancing to fast music arose in clubs where women could wear makeup, wear short dresses, smoke, and have short hair. These women were mostly known as flappers, and they enjoyed their freedom by dancing to the fast-paced music of its time. Unfortunately, in the late 1920's, the stock market crashed, creating turmoil in the nation. Shortly after, the United States participated in two wars. Such chaos brought an end to the flapper era and women were forced to work while the men went off to war.
Popular music did not arise again until the 1950's with Elvis as the front man. His music was an early version of rock with guitars, drums, bass and vocals. He was influential in his performances, because he sexualized music by moving his hips on national television to the beat of his music. At this time, such movement was prohibited. Even though the flapper era sexualized music, their main audience were adults. However, young girls idolized Elvis and were first to witness such movement. An example of his music is Blue Suede Shoes which illustrates Elvis' fast beats that promoted sexual behavior such as moving hips.
The 60's were a tumultous era filled with war, protest, oppression, rebellion, hatred, and corruption. This era was the most complex and most influential of all eras. During this time bands and solo artists emerged such as The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and The Doors with Jim Morrison. This was an era when brotherly love was alive and people believed in living united as one people, mostly known as the hippie era. Racism was a huge part of America and during this time, many artists used their power to amplify ideas of acceptance and rebellion. Such artist was Bob Dylan who is famously known for writing political lyrics that forced people to analyze their surroundings (government, ideals, etc.). The Beatles represented change and acceptance. At first they played a rock that was purely a rock of its time, but after traveling and absorbing the techniques and instruments of other countries, such as India with the sitar, they began to globalize music to a level of acceptance and appreciation. Also, drugs played a big role in this free music. In order to see the world differntely, many believed that by using drugs, one can expand his/her mind. Unfortunately, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and Jim Morrison, their lives were given up to the usage of drugs and the era of the 60's died along with them.
Wanting to get away from the free love and peace that made up the 60's, the 70's brought a harsher sound with the rise of heavy metal and the idea of satan. In the front line were Black Sabbath and Alice Cooper. Metal is composed of heavy riffs, harsh drums and long solos. The lyrics also talked about drugs, the dead, the dark, hallucinations, and anything that emphasized evil. However, the 70's was not just about heavy metal, but disco too. The baby boomers grew up and wanted to dance to differnt music. Its a flashy music that is accompanied with a flashy dance and flashy attire. The disco era was about having fun, dancing, and socializing. Unlike heavy metal, it was colorful, happy, and energetic. Some listening examples are Black Sabbath's NIB and Alice Cooper's I Love the Dead.
Politics were changing in the 80's with the fall of communism and the Berlin Wall. Some people in America still followed those ideologies and were angry for such change. Thus arose powerful skin heads who expressed their feelings through punk. This music is known for its fast drums, high, angry vocals. It was a fast paced music, not to dance to, but to mosh to. At the same time, African Americans continued to live in ghettos and forced to join gangs, living harsh lives. They expressed their hate, lost, and other feelings through rap and hip hop. Gangster rap hit big in the late 80's and early 90's with the rise of Tupac and Notorious B.I.G. With any gangster, there will be a rivalry between another which was true for these two rappers. Tupac represented the west while Biggy Smalls represented the east. Their rivalry escalated to the point where they both killed each other (although none of the deaths are proven). thus is the fall of gangster rap. Some listening examples are Tupac's Changes and Biggie's Big Poppa.
As America moves forward to the last decade of the century, no major political powers dampen the spirits of artists of the time. This war-free era gave birth to the liveliness of boy bands and teen pop. Some big names were Britney Spears, N'sync, and the Backstreet Boys. These songs mostly spoke about love, relationships, heart break, and being a teenager in the 90's. They were songs that were fun to dance to because of their simple, fast beat. Their popularity was due to the fact that it was innocent enough for young elementary girls to listen to and for older high school girls to appreciate. The rise of girl power also arose with The Spice Girls and the exposure of Hillary Clinton. Some listening examples are Britney Spears' Oops I Did it Again and N'sync's Bye Bye Bye.
The last decade I will cover is the 21st century. This decade is the most cultured in the sense that hyphenated Americans are popular in the United States. For example, Mana as rock en espanol, Ivy Queen as reggeaton, Franz Ferdinand as British rock/pop, the Killers as emo, and so many more. The popularity of the bay area arose. Deep South rap arose with the message of big cars and big jewelry. There are so many different genres during this era.
America is not a set country with ideals that fall under one umbrella. It is the melting pot country of the world. With this diversity, people have the freedom and acceptance to express themselves differently. One mode of expressing oneself is through music and dancing. Therefore, as a presenter, I would focus on the diverse music that America has offered and continues to offer to the world through all eras from 20th century to the present.
Music started to have real influence in the world in the 1920's when women began to obtain freedom. They expressed their new love for their freedom through music. The rise of dancing to fast music arose in clubs where women could wear makeup, wear short dresses, smoke, and have short hair. These women were mostly known as flappers, and they enjoyed their freedom by dancing to the fast-paced music of its time. Unfortunately, in the late 1920's, the stock market crashed, creating turmoil in the nation. Shortly after, the United States participated in two wars. Such chaos brought an end to the flapper era and women were forced to work while the men went off to war.
Popular music did not arise again until the 1950's with Elvis as the front man. His music was an early version of rock with guitars, drums, bass and vocals. He was influential in his performances, because he sexualized music by moving his hips on national television to the beat of his music. At this time, such movement was prohibited. Even though the flapper era sexualized music, their main audience were adults. However, young girls idolized Elvis and were first to witness such movement. An example of his music is Blue Suede Shoes which illustrates Elvis' fast beats that promoted sexual behavior such as moving hips.
The 60's were a tumultous era filled with war, protest, oppression, rebellion, hatred, and corruption. This era was the most complex and most influential of all eras. During this time bands and solo artists emerged such as The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and The Doors with Jim Morrison. This was an era when brotherly love was alive and people believed in living united as one people, mostly known as the hippie era. Racism was a huge part of America and during this time, many artists used their power to amplify ideas of acceptance and rebellion. Such artist was Bob Dylan who is famously known for writing political lyrics that forced people to analyze their surroundings (government, ideals, etc.). The Beatles represented change and acceptance. At first they played a rock that was purely a rock of its time, but after traveling and absorbing the techniques and instruments of other countries, such as India with the sitar, they began to globalize music to a level of acceptance and appreciation. Also, drugs played a big role in this free music. In order to see the world differntely, many believed that by using drugs, one can expand his/her mind. Unfortunately, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and Jim Morrison, their lives were given up to the usage of drugs and the era of the 60's died along with them.
Wanting to get away from the free love and peace that made up the 60's, the 70's brought a harsher sound with the rise of heavy metal and the idea of satan. In the front line were Black Sabbath and Alice Cooper. Metal is composed of heavy riffs, harsh drums and long solos. The lyrics also talked about drugs, the dead, the dark, hallucinations, and anything that emphasized evil. However, the 70's was not just about heavy metal, but disco too. The baby boomers grew up and wanted to dance to differnt music. Its a flashy music that is accompanied with a flashy dance and flashy attire. The disco era was about having fun, dancing, and socializing. Unlike heavy metal, it was colorful, happy, and energetic. Some listening examples are Black Sabbath's NIB and Alice Cooper's I Love the Dead.
Politics were changing in the 80's with the fall of communism and the Berlin Wall. Some people in America still followed those ideologies and were angry for such change. Thus arose powerful skin heads who expressed their feelings through punk. This music is known for its fast drums, high, angry vocals. It was a fast paced music, not to dance to, but to mosh to. At the same time, African Americans continued to live in ghettos and forced to join gangs, living harsh lives. They expressed their hate, lost, and other feelings through rap and hip hop. Gangster rap hit big in the late 80's and early 90's with the rise of Tupac and Notorious B.I.G. With any gangster, there will be a rivalry between another which was true for these two rappers. Tupac represented the west while Biggy Smalls represented the east. Their rivalry escalated to the point where they both killed each other (although none of the deaths are proven). thus is the fall of gangster rap. Some listening examples are Tupac's Changes and Biggie's Big Poppa.
As America moves forward to the last decade of the century, no major political powers dampen the spirits of artists of the time. This war-free era gave birth to the liveliness of boy bands and teen pop. Some big names were Britney Spears, N'sync, and the Backstreet Boys. These songs mostly spoke about love, relationships, heart break, and being a teenager in the 90's. They were songs that were fun to dance to because of their simple, fast beat. Their popularity was due to the fact that it was innocent enough for young elementary girls to listen to and for older high school girls to appreciate. The rise of girl power also arose with The Spice Girls and the exposure of Hillary Clinton. Some listening examples are Britney Spears' Oops I Did it Again and N'sync's Bye Bye Bye.
The last decade I will cover is the 21st century. This decade is the most cultured in the sense that hyphenated Americans are popular in the United States. For example, Mana as rock en espanol, Ivy Queen as reggeaton, Franz Ferdinand as British rock/pop, the Killers as emo, and so many more. The popularity of the bay area arose. Deep South rap arose with the message of big cars and big jewelry. There are so many different genres during this era.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Week 7
In these two Eastern European scenes, talk about the similar and different instruments (like your previous assignment), and then discuss other interesting things you noticed in the film.
In the first scene, the musicians met outside their homes, but they were all dressed in suits as if they were in a higher social status than the rest of the people. I noticed there was a violin; however, it seemed to be out of tune. This goes back to previous lectures when Professor Talusan mentioned how in different cultures, the musicians tune their instruments differently than musicians in the west. There was also a high pitched flute, an accordion, and a santur. In this scene, the musicians were ornamenting and improvising the basic melody.
The second scene took place in the train station. In this scene, the instruments were completely different than the ones in the first scene. There was a vase, where the musician produced sound by covering the opening with a flat or cupped hand and then hitting the vase on the side. I've never seen such an instrument so it was really interesting to me to see it be part of an ensemble. There was also a young man playing the spoons and another playing a violin. Two more people were playing a guitar and a cello. There was also a dancer who produced sound by clapping on his leg just like the Samoa men's body percussion ensemble. Another difference between the two scenes was that in the second scene, the Roma people were using their voices as an instrument, whereas in the first scene, it was strictly instruments making music.
However, the most interesting scene to me was when the young boy walks up to the old man who's playing a violin with one string instead of an entire bow. He would actually alternate between using the bow and the string. I have never heard such a sound, and my western ears were not used to such a rough sound. At first, the sound bothered me, but after reading the text of the song, I realized the significance of the rough sound and came to appreciate it. The song was about freedom after living a rough life under a tyrannical government. The sweetness of freedom was accentuated by the use of the bow, and the roughness of captivity was accentuated by the rough sound that was produced by using a single string.
In the first scene, the musicians met outside their homes, but they were all dressed in suits as if they were in a higher social status than the rest of the people. I noticed there was a violin; however, it seemed to be out of tune. This goes back to previous lectures when Professor Talusan mentioned how in different cultures, the musicians tune their instruments differently than musicians in the west. There was also a high pitched flute, an accordion, and a santur. In this scene, the musicians were ornamenting and improvising the basic melody.
The second scene took place in the train station. In this scene, the instruments were completely different than the ones in the first scene. There was a vase, where the musician produced sound by covering the opening with a flat or cupped hand and then hitting the vase on the side. I've never seen such an instrument so it was really interesting to me to see it be part of an ensemble. There was also a young man playing the spoons and another playing a violin. Two more people were playing a guitar and a cello. There was also a dancer who produced sound by clapping on his leg just like the Samoa men's body percussion ensemble. Another difference between the two scenes was that in the second scene, the Roma people were using their voices as an instrument, whereas in the first scene, it was strictly instruments making music.
However, the most interesting scene to me was when the young boy walks up to the old man who's playing a violin with one string instead of an entire bow. He would actually alternate between using the bow and the string. I have never heard such a sound, and my western ears were not used to such a rough sound. At first, the sound bothered me, but after reading the text of the song, I realized the significance of the rough sound and came to appreciate it. The song was about freedom after living a rough life under a tyrannical government. The sweetness of freedom was accentuated by the use of the bow, and the roughness of captivity was accentuated by the rough sound that was produced by using a single string.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
WEEK 6
*What were the common instruments found in all three scenes? How were they similar and different in each scene? Can you compare them to other instruments we studied from other parts of Asia? The director was trying to demonstrate how the "gypsies" absorbed the various music cultures they encountered into their own music. How did the director depict this? What else about this film interested you?
In the opening scene, the young boy was singing as he was clapping two flat pieces of wood together. The sound of this instrument was similar to another instrument later introduced. This instrument was played by a woman from the scene where she is dancing in Egypt, but instead of being two flat pieces of wood, it was two tiny cymbals on each hand. These two instruments sounded similar and the manner in which they were played was also similar (hitting them against each other).
Also, in the scene where the families united to celebrate under the moon, there was a man who was playing a chordophone that produced sound by using a bow. This instrument reminded me of the Chinese erhu. This similarity in instruments between two different cultures exemplifies the inevitable adaptation of different cultural tendencies when people are allowed to travel the world.
The director demonstrated this adaptation of differnt cultures by following the main family through their journey. He/she follows them when they spy on others who are dancing differently, playing differently, or singing differently than they normally see. However, the director mostly emphasizes on the reactions of the children. The children are fascinated by the cultural differences so much that they begin to imitate all of the differences they encounter. For example, the young girls who imitate the women dancing, or the young boys who imitate the music.
I was mostly amazed by the music because I have never heard music of that category. I love to dance and the music they played was meant just for that. I was also amazed at how different cultures can have similar instruments but they each individualize it to their own culture, making it have certain meanings, or certain structures as to how to play it, when to play it, and who can play it. This goes back to identity by individualizing yourself but also connecting yourself to a larger group/category.
In the opening scene, the young boy was singing as he was clapping two flat pieces of wood together. The sound of this instrument was similar to another instrument later introduced. This instrument was played by a woman from the scene where she is dancing in Egypt, but instead of being two flat pieces of wood, it was two tiny cymbals on each hand. These two instruments sounded similar and the manner in which they were played was also similar (hitting them against each other).
Also, in the scene where the families united to celebrate under the moon, there was a man who was playing a chordophone that produced sound by using a bow. This instrument reminded me of the Chinese erhu. This similarity in instruments between two different cultures exemplifies the inevitable adaptation of different cultural tendencies when people are allowed to travel the world.
The director demonstrated this adaptation of differnt cultures by following the main family through their journey. He/she follows them when they spy on others who are dancing differently, playing differently, or singing differently than they normally see. However, the director mostly emphasizes on the reactions of the children. The children are fascinated by the cultural differences so much that they begin to imitate all of the differences they encounter. For example, the young girls who imitate the women dancing, or the young boys who imitate the music.
I was mostly amazed by the music because I have never heard music of that category. I love to dance and the music they played was meant just for that. I was also amazed at how different cultures can have similar instruments but they each individualize it to their own culture, making it have certain meanings, or certain structures as to how to play it, when to play it, and who can play it. This goes back to identity by individualizing yourself but also connecting yourself to a larger group/category.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Week 5
1. Can you think of any examples in our day and age in which real life influences theater (or film or music or music video) and in turn these representations influence society?
Historical events such as 9/11 influence political singers to voice their opinions on the subject through the use of music. For example, the rock group Rage against the Machine is heavily influenced by historical injustices whether 30 years old or five years old. In turn, as their music becomes popular, so does their impact on mainstream society. Their listeners begin to follow their ideals and begin to mimic their lifestyle by fighting against injustice. This audience response motivates them to continue a career in socially conscious music.
Another example is the new wave of reggeaton music. It demonstrates the assimilation that Latinos go through when they begin to accept and live an American lifestyle while still holding on to their roots. This is emphasized especially when reggeaton musicians sing in English but still follow a Latino beat and rhythm. Latino-Americans can identify with this style of music and therefore encourage such mixing of cultures and styles in one musical genre.
The recording industry knows exactly what consumers want therefore they support artists that can fulfill the needs of the masses. They manipulate them so that they can have an impact on society, whether good or bad, or long lasting. Therefore, it is inevitable that the famous have an influence in society. However, it is the reactions of society that drive the industry to mass produce certain images, sounds, ideas, and/or movements. In order for the arts to exist and continue, society must choose to reject it, accept it, or crave more. As in the example of the Kabukis. As the writers of the Kabukis learned that their audience wanted more violence, they began to add more violent scenes. Therefore, more people came to watch the Kabukis.
Historical events such as 9/11 influence political singers to voice their opinions on the subject through the use of music. For example, the rock group Rage against the Machine is heavily influenced by historical injustices whether 30 years old or five years old. In turn, as their music becomes popular, so does their impact on mainstream society. Their listeners begin to follow their ideals and begin to mimic their lifestyle by fighting against injustice. This audience response motivates them to continue a career in socially conscious music.
Another example is the new wave of reggeaton music. It demonstrates the assimilation that Latinos go through when they begin to accept and live an American lifestyle while still holding on to their roots. This is emphasized especially when reggeaton musicians sing in English but still follow a Latino beat and rhythm. Latino-Americans can identify with this style of music and therefore encourage such mixing of cultures and styles in one musical genre.
The recording industry knows exactly what consumers want therefore they support artists that can fulfill the needs of the masses. They manipulate them so that they can have an impact on society, whether good or bad, or long lasting. Therefore, it is inevitable that the famous have an influence in society. However, it is the reactions of society that drive the industry to mass produce certain images, sounds, ideas, and/or movements. In order for the arts to exist and continue, society must choose to reject it, accept it, or crave more. As in the example of the Kabukis. As the writers of the Kabukis learned that their audience wanted more violence, they began to add more violent scenes. Therefore, more people came to watch the Kabukis.
Monday, April 9, 2007
week 1
The main reason why I am taking this class is because I am really interested in being exposed to culturally diverse genres of music. I am really open to new music so this class would give me that opportunity. I don't have any musical background so its taking me a while to really understand key terms. It's intimidating but like the professor said, it's not a requirement for the class. Chris' presentation today brought back memories because I used to listen to native american music when I was younger, but for some reason I stopped listening to it. I really want to get back into it and was wondering if there are any dance groups on campus?
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