Keyboards

In my opinion the instrument that has has the greatest impact on what we as a society know as music is the piano. The piano can be heard in every genre of music. Many times an idea for a piece is formed on the piano. The modern day piano, or keyboard, has also greatly impacted society. The keyboard has made music more accessible for people. Not only is it cheaper, it is also easier to learn to play. The keyboard has also made it possible for musicians to "synthesize" music. Keyboards or "synthesizers" allow musicians to generate a variety of sounds. The keyboard also allows musicians to add different instrumental sounds without ever even having to touch an instrument. Keyboards have greatly impacted many different genres of music including rap, r & b, and jazz.

Guitars

Today I listened to 15 minutes of a rock, rap, country, and jazz station in order to determine the role of guitars. Before this exercise I had never thought about the different use of guitars among genres of music. The first station I listened to was a rap station. Guitars were absent from the rap station entirely. In fact most of the music played on the rap station was synthesized. The second station I listened to was a rock station. The rock and rap station were like night and day in that the guitar was very prominent on the rock station. At some points the guitar was even the main focus of the song on the rock station. The third station I listened to was country. In all of the songs I listened to I heard the guitar being played. The last station I listened to was a jazz station. I don't believe I heard the guitar being played in any of the songs I listened to.

Chordophones

During the one hour I listened to DPR I believe I heard 3 distinct pieces. The first piece I listened to was performed on the piano with no accompaniment. The second piece I heard mainly consisted of violins but at some points during the piece I believe I heard cellos being played as well. The third and final piece was played by a complete orchestra in which I heard violins, cellos, oboes, and bass among many other different types of instruments. Because of our discussion in class I tried to listen for a clavichord but I could not hear one being played in any of the pieces I listened to.

membranophone

In order to make a membranophone I used plastic wrap and a plastic measuring cup. I wrapped two layers of plastic wrap over the opening of the plastic measuring cup. I then used a pen to bang on the top of the plastic wrap (membrane) in order to make a sound.

idiophone

In order to make my instrument I took three glass mugs and filled them up with varying amounts of water. The first mug I filled entirely with water. The second mug I filled halfway with water. And the third mug I filled 1/4 with water. I then used a wooden spatula to bang on each of the mugs in order to make a beat. The mug with the most amount of water made the lowest sound whereas the mug with the least amount of water made the highest sound.

SHMRF

One of my favorite songs is The Scientist by Coldplay. Starting with the sound of the song, the texture is homophonic like most popular songs. The song is sung by Chris Martin, the lead singer of Coldplay, accompanied by a melody and the piano. Because of the singing the song has a somber feel to it but if you listen closely to the piano it sounds like it is played in major. In regards to the rhythm the tempo went from slow to moderate. The melody was formed of mostly steps. The contour took the shape of a roller coaster, going up and down. As in most popular songs today the form was repetition with some change. The melody stayed the same while the lyrics changed. Furthermore I enjoy this song because of its beautiful, meaningful lyrics.

24 Hours of Music

Over the course of 24 hours I have heard many different forms of music. As I walked to classes I listened to my ipod. Even with my ipod in I could also hear emergency sirens in the distance. Once I got to class the conversations of students combined the clicking of pens formed a type of music. Later I heard music while driving to and from work. At work music played in the background while people dined. The clanking of glassware and silverware at work also formed a type of music. Later while I did my homework I played music on my laptop. I also heard the background music of the television in the next room. Later I fell asleep to music playing on my laptop. Early the next morning my alarm went off. As I ate breakfast and got ready for class I listened to music on my laptop. On my way to class I stopped by my friend's place in the student neighborhood and could hear many different types of music coming from his house as well as the houses surrounding his. Walking to class I heard more music coming from houses in the student neighborhood. Finishing up my 24 hours I listened to music on my computer while typing this blog.

Music in Silence

While sitting in silence for 30 minutes I heard many different forms of music such as the rhythm of the air conditioning going on and off. I also heard doors opening and closing and the footsteps on the stairs of students rushing to make it to class. I also heard the wind produced by cars passing on Irving Ave. I could hear the conversations of my roommates mixed with the background noise of the television in the next room. Finally I could hear the faint noise of the birds and the insects singing outside my window.