Music connected with Writing

Music has a strong connection with writing because most music is written composition before it becomes recorded or performed. A lot of artist have to write down their personal thoughts which they turn into a song and a lot of instrumental musicians have to write down their musical scores, but some musicians are able to remember everything they compose and can just go by memory alone which I find very fascinating. Writing also defines who we are as people and when combined with music it's a powerful combination. Music is extremely influential, so much so that you can become completely intertwined within the words and can completely become lost. Think about the time and effort that went into writing such compelling words so that it could appeal to how you feel at a certain moment in your life. I find that being able to write down your thoughts and feelings and then being able to trun them into music is absolutely amazing. I encourage everyone go out find something to write about then take that and create you own music, you never know whose life it's going to change! :)

Different Types of Opera

I find it fasincating that Opera has come as far as it has. I know some people when they think of Opera, their mind goes to the fat lady in a viking helmet belting at the top of her lungs. Oldly enough Opera is for the most part very far from its stereotype. There are many different types of Opera around the and some are very different and may even seem akward if you are not use to listening to that specific type of musical preference such as Chinese Opera. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-dPC-srIbs The list continues to go on such as: English Opera http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9KXnQsMbxU, German Opera http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PH-MZYKE_Io, Russian Opera http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywb492BL4iM, French Opera http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-2svcJa_kU, and the list continues to go on. I find it unbelievably amazing that eventhough these types sound so astoundingly different you can't help, but appreciate the overall performance and musical ascpect of each type. Opera in any Language is amazing to me personally and people today could indeed be more cultured so learning about different typesw of the same genre of music should be greatly encouraged!

Dances throughout Time

Whenever someone thinks of dancing I'm sure different people think of different types of dances. In these present times in America, we create different dances for everything. I personally find it amazing that we've come so far from the twist and the disco to pop-locking, krumping, and various dances that people create right off the top of their heads. Granted today's youth believes that in order to be considered cool or in the "in-crowd" you have to know all the recent and most popular dances, but I think that so many have been formed that unless your in a dance crew or something just dance what you feel. Sometimes even dances that you don't know find their way into your own dancing style just because the music moves you in that way!(the twist) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbK0C9AYMd8 (the hustle) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TsRdkrxl4g (pop-locking) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HkFK_wTss0 (krumping) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSq09Z7TBt0 (the wobble) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFdeskwbhAM (the dougie) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJxYiIfr4WM

Musical Influence for Jamaican Music

It is amazing what other types of music can influence main stream music. For example, Ska is a certain type of music that has strongly influenced Jamaican Reggae music. To first look at Ska it does not seem as though this type of musical genre could possibly have anything to do with the popular Reggae music, especially the dance steps involved in Ska. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDAiQ-P7GoA I personally think that this is a far stretch from what Reggae is today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IZ_xLaSfXk I can honestly say that eventhough it seems more rhythmic, I would perfer to do the more modern version of Reggae than it's original type of dance.

Popular Music in comparison to "Actual" Music.

I think that in today's society we put too much emphasis on popular music. We give entirely too much credit to artists that can sing/rap about any odd thing on their mind instead of giving actual credit where it is do. True a lot of popular music is catchy and you can dance to it, but where is the actual musicality within it. Take these videos for example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0RzrmyIsZY, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kffacxfA7G4&ob=av2e. Not saying that these songs are not enjoyable to most people, but it's as if we hold songs like these to a higher standard than people actually creating amazing music such as the people in these videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXuI0eu2sqw (these ladies not only play the piano, but the guitar and a variety of drums as well). If interested you should definitely watch some of their other videos. They are truly mind blowing. Also http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PcpUvp0J-Q. The gentleman in this video is the epitome of talent. He can take almost any song and not only play it with extreme musicality, but perform it in such a way that he makes the piece entirely his own while still giving creditability to the original artist. I would also greatly recommend listening to his other selections as well. Granted the first two examples are famous artists that make a lot of money, but what about the people that have spent years trying to get a shot at being famous and still can only resort to youtube videos and small night clubs and other odd end places? Where do these people fit into the musical world? It reallys makes me wonder about kids coming up these days and how they believe that half of the so called "music" they play on the radio is doing the music world justice when actually it's either a mockery or a downfall in my opinion.

Different ways of singing/performing

So there is a big debate about what technically is considered music and what isn't? What may sound one way to some may sound completely different to others! Take these videos for instants!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DY1pcEtHI_w

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

Truly what do people believe about these videos? I personally think that throat singing is one of the most unbelieveable talents ever! There's no way that I could even dream of doing such a thing so who are we to judge whether this is singing or not? These is an artful skill that takes years of practice yet most people think that it sounds horrific and are quick to judge what they don't know.

This second video was shown to me by my World Music teacher and I think it is honestly the most funny yet fascinating video I have ever seen. Apparently this is a really big hit in the Ukraine and this type of fashion is all the rage. Now I'm open to many different types of music styles, but I must say that it did kind of strike me as strange. Even taking into account how old this lady is and she still is up on stage working it. I think this video ultimately shows how diverse and open music can be.

I am definitely not a critic and have no right to judge what is considered music and what is not, but these two videos are definitely a different take on what America is "use to". I believe that music is music and this is just their way of expressing their beliefs, what do you think?