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.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
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.
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