Briefly discuss her career and musical contributions. In what genres of music did she (or does she still) perform? What instrument(s) does she play? In interviews, has she discussed her female identity and how it affects her career?

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Paper #3

Female musicians have always played a significant role in popular music. Choose one of the following three female musicians and complete the task and questions below:

  • Memphis Minnie (born Lizzie Douglas)
  • Carole King
  • Patti Smith

Briefly discuss her career and musical contributions. In what genres of music did she (or does she still) perform? What instrument(s) does she play? In interviews, has she discussed her female identity and how it affects her career?

Choose one artist and briefly discuss their biography and career. How would you characterize his/her/their music? Has the artist discussed his/her/their relationship to the whiteness of rock?

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Paper #4

By the late 1960s, rock had become a genre almost totally dominated by white artists. Consider the following non-white rock artists:

  • Carlos Santana
  • Joan Armatrading
  • Living Colour

Choose one artist and briefly discuss their biography and career. How would you characterize his/her/their music? Has the artist discussed his/her/their relationship to the whiteness of rock?

Provide a description/discussion of the music that the composer created. Provide a discussion of how this composer’s musical aesthetic/style compares to specific musical works that were presented in the class. Compare your composer’s music with at least two specific works that we studied

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William Grant Still

Final report must contain:
Brief summary of the life of the composer (minimum one page, five points)
MUST include in-text citations for your factual information following MLA guidelines

Description/discussion of the music that the composer created.

NOTE: Simply listing examples or titles is not enough!! Giving the history of individual works is not enough!! You must describe the music of more than one representative work. (minimum one page, five points)

REQUIRED: at least one link to an online audio or video sample of the composer’s music

MUST include in-text citations for any factual information following MLA guidelines
Discussion of how this composer’s musical aesthetic/style compares to specific musical works that were presented in the class. You MUST compare your composer’s music with at least two specific works that we studied (minimum one page, five points)

MUST include in-text citations for any factual information following MLA guidelines
A properly formatted (folllow MLA guidelines) bibliography of all sources. This should NOT be annotated. (Five points)

Identify, list, and describe in as much detail as possible two musical elements (e.g., instrumentation, form, subject of the lyrics, or vocal delivery style) that the two songs in each pair have in common, and two elements where they differ.

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Son House, “Walkin’ Blues” and Elvis Presley, “Blue Moon of Kentucky”

The blues had a profound impact on early rock and roll. With this pair of songs that include one blues and one early rock and roll song. Your task is to identify, list, and describe in as much detail as possible two musical elements (e.g., instrumentation, form, subject of the lyrics, or vocal delivery style) that the two songs in each pair have in common, and two elements where they differ.
Son House – Walkin’ Blues

Elvis Presley – “Blue Moon of Kentucky”

Do your own research on the death of Michael Jackson and share your conclusions. Tell who you believe to be responsible.

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The Unwanted Chapter: Conrad Murray pg. 435-476

“The Unwanted Chapter” is the most difficult portion of this book for the author. As the title implies, it represents a painful reality — Michael Jackson died too early, at too young an age, and at the hands of a man he trusted. A summary of the Conrad Murray Trial for manslaughter is presented. Vindication for Michael Jackson has finally arrived… ((Moriarty, 2012, p. 10)

You have read Moriarty’s take on what happened to Jackson in your text. Now do your own research on the death of Michael Jackson and share your conclusions. Tell who you believe to be responsible. Topics you may want to research include: Conrad Murray, Conspiracy theories, MJ being worth more dead than alive, the Illuminati, and Michael Jackson faking his own death. Share a supporting video.

What is the sound? Using counter numbers, when does Pat Metheny’s guitar synthesizer solo begin and end? Based on what you can find online, what exactly is a guitar synthesizer and how is it played? Describe Metheny’s solo in this piece. What are your impressions of the two pieces? Did you prefer one more than the other? if so, why? Are there some specific musical elements or solos in either of the pieces you really enjoy hearing?

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 Jazz-Rock Fusion

For this assignment, you will be listening to two jazz-rock fusion pieces: Mercy, Mercy, Mercy by The Cannonball Adderley Quintet (1966), and To the End of the World by The Pat Metheny Group (1994). Listen to both pieces attentively, and answer the following questions:

Listen to Mercy, Mercy, Mercy, one of the earlies examples of jazz-rock fusion, and To the End of the World, and describe some specific jazz-rock fusion elements for each piece.
Joe Zawinul is the keyboardist (and composer) playing on Mercy, Mercy, Mercy, and Lyle Mays is the keyboardist (and co-composer) playing on To the End of the World. At what points do their respective solos begin and end? Use counter numbers (minutes and seconds on your media player). Also, describe each of their solo styles.

At about 6:05 on To the End of the World, a new sound is added to the texture. What is the sound? Using counter numbers, when does Pat Metheny’s guitar synthesizer solo begin and end? Based on what you can find online, what exactly is a guitar synthesizer and how is it played? Describe Metheny’s solo in this piece.
What are your impressions of the two pieces? Did you prefer one more than the other? if so, why? Are there some specific musical elements or solos in either of the pieces you really enjoy hearing? Provide some specific examples by using counter numbers.

Describe his sound and some of the techniques you hear in his playing. Does he ever use chords? Using counter numbers, at what point does he introduce his trademark “octaves” sound to his solo? What are your impressions of the two pieces? Did you prefer one more than the other? if so, why? Are there some specific musical elements or sols in either o the pieces you really enjoy hearing?

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Milt Jackson and Wes Montgomery

Milt Jackson (vibraphone) and Wes Montgomery (guitar) are both considered outstanding performers on their more uncommon jazz instruments. For this assignment, you will be listening to two pieces that highlight these two players and their instruments: Django played by Milt Jackson (v), John Lewis (p), Percy Heath (b), and Connie Kay (d) collectively know as The Modern Jazz Quartet, and Four on Six played by Wes Montgomery (g), Wynton Kelly (p), Paul Chambers (b), and Jimmy Cobb (d).

First listen to Django. Based on Lesson 8 as well as what you hear, describe a couple of elements that make the Modern Jazz Quartet unique as compared to other jazz groups of the time.
According to Lesson 6, provide a brief description of the vibraphone, and name one of the first jazz performers on the instrument. In Django, at what points do you hear Jackson or Lewis as featured soloists? Use counter numbers (minutes and seconds on your media player).

Now listen to Four on Six. After the intro, Montgomery is featured up through about 2:27. Describe his sound and some of the techniques you hear in his playing. Does he ever use chords? Using counter numbers, at what point does he introduce his trademark “octaves” sound to his solo?

What are your impressions of the two pieces? Did you prefer one more than the other? if so, why? Are there some specific musical elements or sols in either o the pieces you really enjoy hearing? Provide some specific examples by using counter numbers.

Describe the melody of the piece. Which instruments played it? What were your impressions of it? Describe how the rhythm section played for each piece, and compare/contrast how they approached one song differently from another. What was the bassist doing? What was the drummer doing? What was the pianist or guitarist doing?

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Jazz Performance Report Assignment

For this assignment, you will need to plan ahead. You must attend a jazz performance during the semester in which you are taking this course, and write a report on it. Blues, rock, country, classical, or any other styles of music are not accepted. Video or live streaming is also not accepted. This assignment is due a few weeks before the end of the semester (before Thanksgiving break for fall semester courses), and the exact due date can be found under “Deadlines” in the “Course Information” section.

To assist you, links to jazz concerts and club dates in the area will be included in the “Course Information” section as the class progresses, but you may attend any other appropriate jazz performance as well. For instance, if you have an opportunity to hear a world-class jazz performance at a venue such as the Jazz Showcase in Chicago, the Bistro in St. Louis, or the Jazz Kitchen in Indianapolis, then I would highly recommend it.

Essential Requirements

You must attend a jazz performance during the semester in which you are taking this course. Video or live streaming is not accepted. Date, time location/venue, and a web link to public documentation of the event must be included in the report.
The performance must be jazz. Blues, rock, country, classical, or any other styles of music are not accepted. If you are in doubt of whether or not the performance is jazz, feel free to check with me ahead of time.
The concert must be performed by a group of musicians – at least three in the ensemble, who play different instruments, which may also include vocals. Solo or duo performances are not accepted since there is not enough variety in the instruments used. The performers must be at least at the high school level and preferably beyond. Middle school/junior high-level performances are not accepted.
The report must be authentic, and the facts of the performance, date, time, and venue must be 100% accurate. Any report containing false or misleading information, or that appears to be identical to or based on someone else’s work (plagiarized) is unacceptable and will receive a ZERO. See ACADEMIC INTEGRITY in the syllabus for details.

The Report

Write a report of at least two pages (600 words), giving a review of the performance you attended. If it is a jazz concert, then you must attend the entire performance. If it is a jazz club date, then you must stay for at least one set (or about one hour). The introductory paragraph must contain the following information:

Date, time, and the location/name of the venue at which the performance was held. If the performance was not an Illinois State University event, a web link to public documentation of the event must be included.
Who performed (list the names and instruments of all the musicians).
The pieces that were performed.
In the body of the report, analyze at least three (3) of the pieces that were performed. The analysis of each piece should be one paragraph long (or longer if necessary). For each piece, discuss any or all of the following:

What was the style of the piece? As best you can, identify the genre or genres (e.g., cool jazz, bebop, etc.)
Identify the form of the piece, and describe the sections. Who played the melodies?
Describe the melody of the piece. Which instruments played it? What were your impressions of it?
Describe how the rhythm section played for each piece, and compare/contrast how they approached one song differently from another. What was the bassist doing? What was the drummer doing? What was the pianist or guitarist doing?
Which instruments had solos? Provide some detail here, for example, whether or not the soloists interacted with the ensemble or other musicians, how long the solos lasted, whether you liked them, etc.
Did the piece feature improvisation? If so, was it collective or solo improvisation? Which instruments participated in the improvisation?
What was your impression of this piece overall? Did you have a favorite section?

In the concluding paragraph(s), discuss the following:

Your overall impressions of the performance. Did a particular piece stand out? Did you have a favorite soloist? Would you want to see these particular jazz musicians perform again?
Describe the audience as a whole, and the typical audience member. What was the audience’s reaction to the concert? Were they more interested in the performers or the music? Did the performers “connect” with the audience in some way that seemed appropriate for the style of music?

Tips

Be on time to the performance.
Bring a notepad and a pen to take down notes.
If the performers introduce their pieces, take note of what they say. If you can, talk to the performers afterward. Use their perspectives in your report.
Write this report as soon as you can after seeing the performance so that it stays fresh in your mind.
Be sure to keep a backup of your report in the event that you need to resubmit it for any reason.

Jazz Concert Etiquette

If you attend a jazz concert in a more formal setting such as at ISU’s Kemp Recital Hall or Center for the Performing Arts, please keep in mind the following:

Refrain from talking during each piece.
Turn off cell phones, refrain from using other electronic devices, and do not use flash photography.
Do not put your feet up on other seats in the auditorium.
During jazz concerts, it is appropriate to applaud after someone’s solo, as well as after the song is completed.
Remain seated during the performance. Enter and exit your seat only between selections. If it is necessary to leave the room or return during the recital, wait quietly at the back of the room until the end of the particular selection. If possible however, wait until the audience is applauding before moving.

YouTube Performance Exception

Attending a live performance is definitely the best option for a variety of reasons, but in the event this is not possible due to unpredictable circumstances, you will be allowed to choose one of the approved YouTube concert videos listed in the assignment itself as a substitute for a live performance. Failure to follow the YouTube requirement below, plus all other essential requirements above will result in a ZERO for the assignment, and it cannot be redone. An appropriate live performance is of course still accepted as long as it meets all of the essential requirements listed above.

YouTube Requirement:

The YouTube concert MUST be chosen from the approved performances below. Failure to do so will result in a ZERO for the report. Failure to follow all other essential requirements above will also result in a ZERO, and the assignment cannot be redone. Songs and personnel are often listed in the video description, but sometimes you will need to watch for credits listed somewhere in the video, or scroll through the comments. Also, be sure to include the link in your report.

Hard Bop

Cannonball Adderley Sextet/ Live on “JAZZ625″1964.5.12.

Concert Wes Montgomery Live in Belgium 1965 Jazz Prisma

Bebop

Dizzy Gillespie Quintet-(Jazz 625) 1966

Post-bop

Kenny Garrett Live in Montreux Jazz ’97

Big Band

Bob Mintzer & WDR BIG BAND: Reflections on Count Basie | Full Concert

Fusion Jazz

Chick Corea Elektric Band – Bern Jazz Festival 1986 (FULL LIVE)

Latin Jazz

Poncho Sanchez #LatinJazz Band live at Montreux HQ #jazzmusic

Smooth Jazz

Brian Culbertson feat Michael Lington [Full Concert] (Jazz Burghausen 2004)

Is this piece enjoyable to listen to? Is there anything that is striking good/bad to you?

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Review of J.S. Bach’s “Gloria” – Mass in B Minor

Instructions (Week 2, MUS125, Understanding Music)

Listen to the following link on YouTube: J. S. Bach’s “Gloria” – Mass in B Minor

JS Bach’s Gloria – Mass in B Minor (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izVzruuk1lc)

  1. Is this piece enjoyable to listen to?
  2. Is there anything that is striking good/bad to you?
  3. Describe the music using the some of these key terms:
  • A Cappella
  • Active listening
  • Basso Continuoso
  • Beat
  • Cantus Firmus
  • Chamber music
  • Chords
  • Classical Music
  • Common time
  • Counterpoint
  • Concerto
  • Dissonant
  • Early Music
  • Emotional listening
  • Form
  • Genre
  • Gregorian Chant
  • Glissandro
  • Harmony
  • Key
  • Liturgical
  • Major
  • Measure
  • Melody
  • Meter
  • Minor
  • Monophonic
  • Motet
  • Motive
  • Movement
  • Orchestra
  • Ordinary
  • Pitch
  • Polyphonic
  • Register
  • Ritornello
  • Rhythm
  • Scale
  • Tempo
  • Texture
  • Timbre

 

 

 

How, when, and for what purpose does music play a role in the event? What types of instruments are used? What else strikes you? Are there other, nonverbal ways of communicating with and receiving knowledge from participants?

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Festival celebrating

Your final project will involve reporting on a festival celebrating an ethnic heritage that is different than your own. Hopefully there will be some festivals that will be allowed to take place as events start opening up here in California. Ideas for festivals include attending a Pow Wow, Chinese New Year, Nowruz (Persian New Year) or the Cherry Blossom Festival. After you attend, you will write a paper that is approximately two pages in length describing your experience. You will be focusing primarily on the role of music in the festival. Here are some helpful tips in writing about your experience.

While witnessing/taking part in this event, observe the goings-on as broadly as possible.Elements of the “setting” include details such as the physical layout of the building/room/outdoor space; how the participants are configured and move within that space; age, ethnicity, dress, body language, and mannerisms of the participants; and the progression of the event. How, when, and for what purpose does music play a role in the event? What types of instruments are used? What else strikes you?

Talk with participants at the event (to the extent that it is appropriate). Ask questions related to why they are there, and what the event and the music employed means to them (i.e., the significance). Try to speak with as many different people and kinds of participants as possible. Are there other, nonverbal ways of communicating with and receiving knowledge from participants?

Take a small notebook with you, though you are the only one who will be able to judge whether it is appropriate to write notes in the midst of the event. Often it is not possible or appropriate to write observations down; in such cases, make a mental outline of points that you will want to write about later.

Was a program distributed for the event? If so, make sure to get one, as it can be a valuable tool for you to understand the ordering of performances and to check the proper spellings of song titles or names of performers. Descriptions found in the program often communicate aspects of the event’s significance for those organizing it.

Write a concluding paragraph and share any insights that you gained from the event. You will also need to provide proof of your attendance with your paper submission to receive full credit. This should be an enjoyable experience. Hopefully you will be able to attend in person and take a friend or two and enjoy new experiences and food! Don’t wait too long to record your experience as the details will fade in your memory.