Choose an AUDIO example (not video clip) from Unit 6: Sub-Saharan Africa and write a 150 word journal about it.

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Sub-Saharan Africa Listening Journal

Choose an AUDIO example (not video clip) from Unit 6: Sub-Saharan Africa and write a 150 word journal about it. Utilize the listening guides in your textbook for this assignment. Include information about the audio example including the genre or style, instruments and form. What culture creates this music? What behaviors or activities are associated with this music? Also include your personal thoughts or feelings about your chosen audio example. Do you like it/dislike it? Why did you choose this particular example?

Your Journal should be around 150 words (5 pts), cover all of the topic points (5 pts), and be submitted on time (5 pts). There are 15 points possible for this assignment.

While this piece does not use traditional tonal harmony, it does include phrases and cadences throughout. How many complete phrases do you hear?

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LM 7 Listening Activity

1.)  Listen to the following two works in their entirety and answer the questions below.  Click or copy/paste the links to access each selection.  These are also found in the LM 7 folder in D2L.

Anton Webern:  Wie bin ich froh!                   Laurie Anderson:  O Superman

    https://youtu.be/7vckVbV95Ro                                  https://youtu.be/Vkfpi2H8tOE

 

2.)  Write a short paragraph (5 sentences minimum) that responds to the following, based on your own tastes and responses to the music:

Even though these are two very different songs, they are both recognized as some of the most important examples of 20th century composition.  The first one, by Webern, is from the early decades of the century (1935), whereas O Superman is relatively much more recent (1981).  What were your overall opinions?  Did any of these remind you of any of the other Listening Guides, or other music you’ve heard?  Consider the following as you answer these questions:

 

The Webern song uses a sample of poetry by Hildegarde Jone.  It is sung in German in the recording; here is the English translation:

How glad I am!

Once more all’s turning green about me and shining so!

And overflowing with flowers in my world!

Once more I’m at the center of Becoming and yet on earth.

 

How (if at all) do the text and music relate?

 

Regarding the Laurie Anderson selection, the music video is an important part of this song, and it has a lot in common with other music videos of the early 1980’s/early MTV years.  What did you think of the music to visual connections present in the video?

 

One other note, in case you find it interesting:  O Superman was featured in the “Bandersnatch” episode of Black Mirror on Netflix a few years ago.  If you’re a fan of that series, it may sound familiar.

 

Questions 1-3 are about the Webern example.

1.)  Which term best applies to the melody in the vocal part in this song?

  • Conjunct motion
  • Disjunct motion
  • Ground Bass
  • Fugue

2.)  How would you describe the harmony?

  • Mostly Dissonant
  • Mostly Consonant

3.)  While this piece does not use traditional tonal harmony, it does include phrases and cadences throughout.  How many complete phrases do you hear?  (Hint:  focus on the vocal part.)

  • two
  • five
  • ten
  • none of the above (if selected, please indicate    how many you heard)

 

 

Questions 4-5 are about the Anderson example.

4.)  What type of texture do you hear most throughout this piece?

  • Monophonic
  • Homophonic
  • Polyphonic

5.)  Which sub-genre within 20th century music does this most clearly resemble?

  • Minimalism
  • Serialism
  • Neo-Classicism

Is the album unique to its time? How different is the music on the album in comparison to what is heard on the radio at the time. Did the album change the direction of Hip Hop?

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Nas Illmatic album review

Write a 1-2 page review (min 400 words) in MLA format on the Nas album entitled “Illmatic “. Please use the criteria listed below to rate and critique the album.

Rating scale out of a total of 80. rate each one out of 10

1. Innovation– Is the album unique to its time? How different is the music on the album in comparison to what is heard on the radio at the time. Did the album change the direction of Hip Hop?

2. Popularity- Was the album received by artist’s audience ?

3. Authenticity – Is the Artist is being authentic with their message? Do you believe the artist ?

4. Lyrics- Do the lyrics of the songs on the album resonate with you ? How intricate are the lyrics and well are they used ?

5. Storytelling- How well are the elements of storytelling implemented throughout the album ?

6. Sequence- Does the album flow seamlessly. Are their songs congruent with the artist overall message ?

7. Concept- What is the artist overall message ? How well is the the message conveyed throughout the album.

8.Delivery & Flow- How well does the artist delivery their message ( rhyme scheme, vocal cadence etc) ? Do they have a unique rap style ? Is their presents heard on the album?

Explain what reading(s) the song connects to and how. Identify the focal point, perfect rhyme, slant rhyme, and reflector rhymes within the song.

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Writing a Rap Song

Hip Hop Song: The song can be about any topic of your choosing,(Hustling) but it should be inspired by something we read this semester. The only requirements for song is that it be16 bars (lines) long and should incorporate rhyme patterns that we learned with Mickey Factz. The song should include a perfect rhyme (words that rhyme perfectly), slant rhyme (words that don’t rhyme perfectly but our pronunciation makes them rhyme), and a reflector rhyme (a compound word that rhymes with itself).

Explanation of the song (500 words): In this section you should explain what reading(s) the song connects to and how. You should identify the focal point, perfect rhyme, slant rhyme, and reflector rhymes within the song. You will be graded on how well you explain the connection between your song and the course readings and your ability to identify the rhyme patterns you used.

What is the song about? What seems to be the stand/opinion of the musician? Which line best summarizes their opinion? Which line do you most agree/disagree with? Does this song raise any questions for you?

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Create playlist

Visit the First Amendment Museum’s virtual exhibit Protest Music: Songs and Free Speech. Read the information on the home page of that exhibit and click on Parts 1-4 if you have time. Part 5 is the main part of this assignment, however. Read the opening paragraph of that page, then click on a few of the videos as you read about each one.

This assignment asks you to develop your own Protest Music Playlist, following these steps.

Find five songs that express discontent with a specific social injustice. You may NOT use the videos on Part 5, but you can use this Spotify Playlist from NPR’s “We Insist” series. All five songs can be about the same issue (though they don’t have to be), but they MUST be by five different artists. Finally, all songs must be from the 21st century (no throw-back 1960’s songs, please).

Provide the following information:

  • Song Title
  • Artist
  • YouTube or other link
  • Lyrics

Write at least one paragraph about each song (at least 5 sentences), answering these questions:

  • What is the song about?
  • What seems to be the stand/opinion of the musician?
  • Which line best summarizes their opinion?
  • Which line do you most agree/disagree with?
  • Does this song raise any questions for you?

Critically discuss the importance of studying Western music history today and explain how the study can help the development of musicology as a discipline of study.

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History of Western music

Critically discuss the importance of studying Western music history today and explain how the study can help the development of musicology as a discipline of study.

Choose an AUDIO example (not video clip) from Unit 3: Indonesia and write a 160 word journal about it.

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Indonesia Listening Journal

Choose an AUDIO example (not video clip) from Unit 3: Indonesia and write a 160 word journal about it. Utilize the listening guides in your textbook for this assignment. Include information about the audio example including the genre or style, instruments and form. What culture creates this music? What behaviors or activities are associated with this music? Also include your personal thoughts or feelings about your chosen audio example. Do you like it/dislike it? Why did you choose this particular example?

Pick 1 video from the list below. Listen to the musical selection. As you listen, fill in the cluster/word web using the elements of music. For each element, identify one or two related ideas to help you organize your thoughts (instruments heard, style or feeling of music, the time stamp / marker where that element was prominent, etc.).

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Music elements summary

Pick 1 video from the list below. Listen to the musical selection. As you listen, fill in the cluster/word web using the elements of music. For each element, identify one or two related ideas to help you organize your thoughts (instruments heard, style or feeling of music, the time stamp / marker where that element was prominent, etc.). After you fill out the word web, write a brief summary of what you heard, addressing your choice of elements of music. The response should address four or more ideas drawn from the elements of music.

Choose 1 country/region and complete the requirements listed below for each region/country.

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Music Theory Question

Purpose: This assignment is intended provide you with an opportunity to learn about a specific region or country and their musical practices, as well as the culture and history of the region/country.

Choosing your topic: The country/region you select for your report can be one that is discusses in class or the textbook (see the course outline for a list of topics we will cover). If the region/country you select is discussed in class or in your textbook, your report should expand on that material and present mostly new information.

  • Individual work: Choose 1 country/region and complete the requirements listed below for each region/country.

What style of Mexican music is this called? What is the opening tempo? Can you tell what the meter is? Since there are no drums, which instrument provides the beat?

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Music of Mexico

Directions:

 Watch the video link below and write one complete paragraph 200-250 words responding to the following questions.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bgtaa5iI3g

  • What style of Mexican music is this called?
  • What is the opening tempo?
  • Can you tell what the meter is?
  • Since there are no drums, which instrument provides the beat?
  • After a while there is a cadence and then a new tempo and meter. When does that occur?
  • Can you tell what the meter is in the new section?
  • What is the different between the vocals in the first and second section.