Reggae Music and Its Aspects

Introduction Reggae is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the 1960s. Nowadays, the term encompasses the contemporary popular music of Jamaica and the international Jamaican diaspora. Among the primary influences that shaped the genre are traditional mento as well as American jazz, rhythm and blues, and African folk...

Pop Music of Japan, Korea and China

Pop or popular music is one of the most widely spread music genres these days. Even though it seems to be one general genre, it is very inhomogeneous. First of all, pop music varies in styles developed by various performers, it contains several sub-genres. Secondly, pop music differs a lot...

The Beatles’ “Let It Be” and Youth Music Culture

Introduction The 1960s in Europe are associated with several historical and cultural changes that are often reflected in European music popular at the time. One of the most popular cultural icons of the 1960s in Europe was the band known as The Beatles. Originated in the United Kingdom, this band...

Beethoven’s vs. Mozart’s Life and Music

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven rate among the most outstanding composers in the history of classical music. They both died over 150 years ago but their works continue to be studied, performed, and admired all over the world. Although both composers are equally popular, their music still differs...

Belly Dance in Russia

Introduction Foreign dance classes have become popular in Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union (Radchenko 1). Many young women and men have started to practice foreign dances for professional reasons or just for fun. In Russia, Belly Dance, Irish Dance, Indian Dance, Flamenco, and Swing Dance have become...

Romantic Period: Music

Did you know that during Romantic Era, piano music was used to express emotions? Or that composers used to incorporate folk stories into music? Sounds interesting? Then, keep reading to learn more about early and late Romantic Period music! Romantic Period Music: Essay Introduction The 19th century marked a remarkable...

The Cultural Significance of Concerts: An In-Depth Exploration

Introduction Nowadays, it would prove rather impossible to find many people not appreciative of music in one way or another. The reason for this is that the activity of listening to music has always been deemed as an integral part of one’s upbringing – something that in its turn is...

The Evolution of Classical Music to Modern Times

Introduction Music has changed over time, like many other human endeavors. Music history studies the past and attempts to categorize the development of music into distinct periods, much like paleontologists and historians do with other forms of change. Music’s development has been more gradual, occurring in a series of minor...

The ‘Hallelujah’ Song by Leonard Cohen

Music, like any other compulsive work, causes emotions and communicates powerful information to the audience. It is more than words and the instrumentals that accompany it and writers appreciate the texture and flow of phrases. On the other hand, the listeners decide on the music that goes with their personality...

Baroque: Vivaldi’s Spring and Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto

The Baroque period is known for greatly influencing European history and culture. In the following essay, the influence of the era on music will be reviewed. Two musical pieces will be used for that specific goal: Vivaldi’s Spring Concerto and Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto. After listening to the two works, I...

Ben M’an Perdut and L’Orfeo Comparison

Ben M’an Perdut by Bernart de Ventadorn is a troubadour song from the 12th century. Claudio Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo is an opera, created in 1607. These works are prominent examples of their respective ages’ secular music, demonstrating the common characteristics and properties of such music. Comparing the two allows one to...

The Book “Living with Music” by Ralph Ellison

Ralph Ellison’s Living with Music is a story about jazz musicians, and a reader is transferred to twentieth-century America to explore the circumstances, daily activities, and the inspiring power of music people experienced. The essay contains various musical terms and names of famous jazz artists and reflects the author’s thoughts...

Punk Rock: Origins and Impact on Society

Introduction Punk rock is one of those sub-genres that arose during the 1970s and entails rock ‘n’ roll music art. String heavy pop and progressive rock had ruled most charts during this period as most people loved their performance. Punk musicians developed a reputation for eschewing mainstream pop music’s trappings....

Hip-Hop Music, Culture, and Technology in Society

Introduction Hip-hop music, also referred to as rap music, is a category of popular composition developed in the US by African Americans with efforts reinforced by Latin Americans. The genre consists of a style of music accompanied by rapping, a chanted rhythmic speech, and vigorous dancing (Forman 158). Hip-hop music...

The Song “I Shot the Sheriff” by Bob Marley

Analysis Bob Marley released the song “I Shot the Sheriff” in 1973 for The Wailers’ album Burnin’. The song’s story is told from the narrator’s point of view and is filled with a catchy yet mellow rhythm. The narrator confesses to killing the sheriff in self-defense but vehemently denies having...

Mozart’s and Beethoven’s Styles Comparison

Mozart and Beethoven are types of music played across the globe in contemporary society, even though they were produced several centuries ago. Mozart originated from Austria, while Beethoven was from Germany, and their works have continued to influence the music industry. The two pieces are almost similar types of music,...

The Black Eyed Peas’ “Where Is the Love?”: Civic Engagement

The given analysis will primarily focus on the harmful aspects of Haidt’s three “great untruths,” which are setting up the current generation for failure, and how the author’s key message in regards to the importance of civil engagement is reflected in a song by The Black Eyed Peas’ “Where Is...

The Ballet Dancing History and Special Features

Introduction During the dance masterclass, I ended up learning the basics of ballet, namely warm-up, arm, and leg positions. In ballet, these aspects are essential. The entire masterclass was conducted by choreographer Brittany Cavaco, who seemed to me to be quite an attention to detail, which makes it possible to...

Electric Guitar in African Music

Introduction On a global scale, music today is difficult to imagine without a guitar, which has become a cornerstone of a variety of styles and genres of music. In particular, the electric guitar has been integrated into almost all contemporary musical styles, allowing artists to adjust their technical features to...

The Importance of Music and Its Impact on Mind

Certain music can enhance the mind, increase memory, relieve stress, accelerate learning, help concentrate, focus, and unleash inner abilities. When I try to sing jingle commercials or TV soundtracks, I am better at reciting the old jingle songs. This is, I believe, because they are on repeat everywhere once a...

“Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra” Composition by Benjamin Britten

Benjamin Britten Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra is both a study guide and a musical masterpiece. It combines the harmonious sound of many instruments and their unique tonalities. The significant components are woodwind, brass, percussion, and strings. The first category is based on flutes, oboes, bassoons, and clarinets. The...

Rhetorical Analysis of the Song “Permanent” by David Cook

Songs, as one of the forms of human expression, can be interpreted differently. According to a person’s experiences, feelings, current problems, he gets the sense of the song through a lens of personal intussusceptions. The latter cannot be perceived as either good or bad because music, poems, and other creative...

Beethoven’s Innovations and Their Influence on Romanticism

Beethoven’s music is influential primarily based on the transitional role that his musical work played during the classical music period and the commencement of the Romantic period. According to Horton (2018), Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germany, in 1770, during an era when Bach, Mozart, and Haydn dominated the music...

Cherokee Music and Culture

Summary The music of Native Americans has one of the longest and richest histories in the world. Musical concepts and ideas in the different music give the audience an idea of the origin and period of the music (Harris, 2016). The musical concepts were different depending on the community, their...

The Significance of Soul Train

My pop culture moment was Soul Train, a television music program that aired from 1971 to 2006. As George (2019) notes, the program was “a pop cultural pipeline that taught mass audiences how to dance, how to dress, and who to listen to” (para. 2). Soul Train allowed the general...

The Difference in Career of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven

Viennese Classical period was the time that introduced the greatest compositors in classical music. Unified by the patronage system and its consequences, Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven have different career development scenarios. Starting with Mozart, it is commonly known that his career started exceptionally early on tour throughout Europe (Tommasini, n.d.)....

Jazz Music and Civil Rights Liberation

Introduction Jazz music has progressively gained popularity as a genre for the Black ethnicity. The music has penetrated the mainstream but mainly served to unite blacks during the slavery period. However, its popular adoption fails to reconnect with its history connected to the struggles for liberation by African Americans. Jazz...

“My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” Album by Kanye West

Kanye has released an album after disappearing for a while, and it has lived up to the suspense. It is safe for Kanye fanatics to proclaim ‘Kanye is back’ after veering off his brand with 808s and Heartbreak. The album is a signature of Kanye sampling genius; it is RZA’esque....

Messages in Bob Dylan’s Songs and Performances

Bob Dylan is one of the most unique and influential musicians of the 20th century, particularly in the 1960s. Born as Robert Allen Zimmerman in 1941, Bob Dylan created a new music style and is still regarded as the greatest songwriter and a prominent figure in popular culture more than...

Analysis of Songs’ Main Topics

“La Rage” The song La Rage by Keny Arkana explores different political and socio-economic aspects at both a national and international scope. The three main themes that can be picked from the song are politics, rage, and humanity. Politics The political topic is expressed both in terms of words used...

“The Clarinet” by Anthony McGill and Anna Polonsky

Introduction Although a concert cannot be regarded as an everyday routine event that requires an appraisal, the critical review of an attended concert may be highly beneficial for a better understanding of music. To create an appropriate analysis of any performance, a listener will inevitably concentrate on the general atmosphere,...

Comparing and Contrasting Sheryl Crow and Hootie and the Blowfish

No matter what genres are used to express an artistic intent, at its core, all music seems to appeal to the same emotions and experiences. Therefore, the artists that could seem barely comparable at first appear to have a lot in common at second glance, as the overview of music...

The Strain Theory in the Mobb Deep’s Song “Survival of the Fittest”

Robert Merton’s Strain Theory is a sociological and criminological theory that states that social structures may force people to commit a crime. There are five modes of adapting to strain that an individual can pursue: conformity, ritualism, innovation, retreatism, and rebellion, the last three of which are associated with criminal...

Opinion About Classical Music

Nowadays, classical music loses its popularity among the wide public, which is explained by the fact that it becomes obsolete in the conditions of the modern-day world. Today, people tend to be guided by different cadences, tempos, and they have a different pace. The calm and hasteless nature of classical...

How Music Reinforces Stereotypes?

The contemporary entertainment world is mostly covered by music from renown artists all over the world such as Michael Jackson, Ja Rule, 50 Cent, Rihanna, Shakira, Celline Dion among others. Places of entertainment such as the discotheques or clubs play the role airing music from these artists to listeners. Moreover,...

What Are ‘Concept Musicals’ and Its Specifics?

Introduction Stephen Sondheim has been unique and instrumental in the development of the ‘concept musical’. It is important when analyzing Mr. Sondheim’s works to not confuse this idea with the more well-known use of the word as it relates to the ‘director’s concept’ of a play. (Banfield 4) The analysis...

New York Jazz Festival: Diverse Talents & Authentic Jazz Experience

The New York Jazz Festival was an authentic experience of musical expression. Incorporating the elements of different cultures, the festival featured an extraordinarily diverse and immensely talented band. The performance was directed by Tim Jackson, who led the band consisting of artists that had already established themselves as prominent jazz...

Michael Jackson: Essay on His Influence on Music & Pop Culture

Are you looking for inspiration for your essay on Michael Jackson? Read this sample paper to learn about the cultural impact of Michael Jackson. How did Michael Jackson influence music? This essay answers this question, as well as discusses his impact on music videos and the whole industry. Michael Jackson...

John Philip Sousa: the Marine and Bandmaster

John Philip Sousa, a known American composer, was born on November 6, 1854, in Washington, DC, in a family of former European residents. The legacy of this famous bandmaster is among the greatest national treasures of the United States. In the history of America, this remarkable figure is known as...

Music in the Movie “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”

Introduction: The Essential Details Movie title: The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Composer: Jon Brioni Music styles: Pop, soft rock (“Everybody’s Got to Learn Sometime”), psychedelic pop (“Light&Day”), art rock (“Mr. Blue Sky”), filmi songs (background music), trip-hop, electronic, indie (“A Dream upon Waking”). When the Music Is an...

The Portrayal of Death in Lullabies

Lullabies and Death Lullabies constitute a significant part of such cultural phenomenon as nursery rhymes. Therefore, people rarely consider them to have any serious and substitutional sense or any sense at all. However, it should be stated that nursery rhymes, and lullabies as well, can have very disturbing underlying meanings....

Gil Scott-Heron’s Influence on Modern Hip-Hop Music

Introduction Gil Scott-Heron can be reasonably called one of the most influential artists of all time, and he will always be remembered as one of the individuals who spoke freely and put their soul and mind into their music (Vincent 27). More to say, Scott-Heron was not only a godfather...

Discrimination of Women in Rock and Roll

It is worthy of noting that discrimination can take multiple forms that cannot be detected easily. The colonial past of countries has led to the emergence of this negative manifestation. Discrimination is a state in which one caste, group or category of people considers themselves more privileged than other social...

Concert Review: Misha Dacic’s Masterful Piano Recital

Introduction Hearing a great pianist in a recital is an excellent experience. On 10th July 2015, I had the opportunity to attend a concert. The lead musician was Misha Dacic. The experience I had was fulfilling, Misha Dacic is very intense plain and powerful pianist. The following is the report...

Music Artist Tupac Shakur

Introduction Tupac Shakur was an American artist who had great influence on the hip-hop genre of music in the United States. He was born in 1971 and died in 1996 at the age of 25 (Johnson and McQuillar 3). His notoriety is evident from the number of records sold before...

Popular and Serious Music

Introduction Music forms a significant part of entertainment in the modern world, and there are various ways people present their songs to their audiences. The compositions and contexts of different types of music determine their audiences, presentation, and suitability. Music has various components that enable it to play its roles...

Renaissance to Modern Composers: Influences and Challenges in Music

Tielman Susato Tielman Susato was a well-known musician and composer throughout the Renaissance. In 1510, he was born in the Flemish town of Soest (David Nkosi, 2019). He wrote various music, including instrumental pieces, dance music, and secular and religious vocal compositions (David Nkosi, 2019). He was a competent musician...

Claudio Monteverdi’s Life and Work

Introduction Claudio Monteverdi has been an essential figure in the development and evolution of Renaissance music. The Italian composer is often addressed as the person who majorly contributed to the establishment of the opera genre, which, later on, dominated the Baroque art scene. Needless to say, his unorthodox approach to...

Reasons Why Music Matters

Introduction Chapter 4 discusses Hesmondhalgh’s theory that music helps human communities thrive in specific locations and eras. Despite an individual’s difficulties, a link is formed that, as time passes, lifts one’s spirits (Hesmondhalgh, 2013). To illustrate this point, he presents several instances of the essence of music in human culture....

Musical Instruments: Chordophones and Idiophones

Introduction There are two basic types of musical instruments: chordophones and idiophones. Chordophones are instruments that produce sound from vibrations of strings, like a guitar, Chinese zeng, violin, banjo, Chinese pipa, and hammered dulcimer. Idiophones are musical instruments that create sound by vibrating when struck. Some common idiophones are gongs,...

Swinging Bach: New Interpretation of Music

The approach to Bach’s music throughout the Swinging Bach performance is unique in that it has allowed for the mixture of contemporary and classic in one performance. The jazz-like style introduced throughout the songs can be seen as a type of crossover with Bach’s music and a new interpretation. Crossovers...

“On Sonic Art” Book by Trevor Wishart

The idea of creating art using sounds and vibrations might seem bizarre; however, the specified concept has recently been the source of unfaltering interest among numerous audiences. In his book, Trevor Wishart (1996) explains the concept of sonic art, including the nature of the phenomenon, its aesthetic value, and the...

Musical Style and Cultural Identity

The concept of collective identity and cultural uniqueness has been core to musical style. In “People’s music comparatively: Style and stereotype, class and hegemony,” Keil (1985) argues that the existence of style signifies a stable society that has taken form over time. He defines style as a statement of submission...

Johann Sebastian Bach’s Biography and Contributions

Johann Sebastian Bach is regarded as one of the greatest musicians in the history of humankind. He was born in Eisenach, Thuringia, Ernestine Saxon Duchies, on March 31, 1685, and died in Leipzig on July 28, 1750 (Emery and Marshall). Bach was the last child of Johann Ambrosius Bach, the...

Review of “Jeremy” Song by Pearl Jam

Some events are striking, which as a result, is reflected in the news, discussion, or even music. The song “Jeremy” by Pearl Jam was based on the story of a teenager, Jeremy Wade Delle, who killed himself in front of classmates in 1991 (Smith, 2018). The song’s author and front...

The Tap Dance: Dormeshia’s and Arnold’s Performances

Introduction It is hard to disagree that dances are an integral part of culture and humanity as a whole. From the course of history, one can learn that centuries ago, dances were used in different situations. For example, shamans added intricate rhythmic movements to their rituals, a won battle was...

Tin Pan Alley in the Music Industry Context

Tin Pan Alley is a part of Manhattan that was the center of the music industry from the end of the 19th century till the middle of the 20th century. It started to grow approximately in the second part of the 1880th due to the popularity of piano music and...

The Relevance of the World Music Term

Introduction Many people across the world listen to music daily without necessarily knowing its genre. In 1999, David Byrne, in one of his articles, highlighted how people confuse the different music categories. Being a versatile and prominent person in the entertainment sector, Byrne begins by pointing out that what many...

Parents Music Resource Center in the United States

There are always people with either unconventional or conservative views when it comes to subcultures and other preferences. For example, Parents Music Resource Center is a group created in 1985 in the United States, whose primary purpose has been to condemn the immorality and aggression of rock music, claiming that...

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Overture by Mendelssohn

Music was not majorly affected by Romanticism until the advent of the 19th century. German composers took the forefront when it came to Romanticism in music, with Beethoven, Schumann, Brahms, and Mendelssohn making sizable contributions. Symphonic poems, which struck a connection between music and literature, were familiar to Romantic composers...

Contemporary RnB (Rich & Beautiful) Music

Introduction The genre of RNB appeared across the Southern areas of the United States in the 1940s, featuring electric guitar, piano, and drum sounds. Numerous blues musicians were able to release their new music specifically in the South, where the level of appreciation in regard to blues and derivative genres...

A Musical Comparison of Beethoven and West

Every historical era has had its genius musicians who could exert a meaningful social influence. Such artists not only created musical works with a creative function but were also crucial historical figures of their time. However, a parallel comparison between the geniuses of past and present times may seem challenging...

“How We Listen” by Aaron Copland: The Art of Listening to Music

Aaron Copland composed “How We Listen” in 1957. People who study music or are passionate about music, mainly classical music, are the primary audiences of “How We Listen.” The goal of “How We Listen” is to help audiences who were previously familiar with music or had a passion for listening...

The Biography of Duke Ellington

Ellington was a multi-talented musician and bandleader in the world of jazz. American people were happy with the music from his 50-year career, which created thousands of scores. It was not just the music he created throughout his career that made him great. He provided consistent entertainment and helped pave...

The Influence of Rap Music on Moral Character

Various critics have railed against the alleged harms of rap music. It is misogynistic and promotes violence (especially toward women), crass materialism, and street crime. Virtually all of the arguments about rap focus on its alleged effects—harmful or, occasionally, beneficial. Yet such arguments are difficult to prove. While not suggesting...

The Nobel Prize 2020 Concert Review

The Nobel Prize Concert is generally considered one of the leading musical events of the year in Europe. The 2020 Nobel Prize Concert featured world-renowned pianist Igor Levit with conductor Stéphane Denève leading the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra. In the light of celebrating the 250th Ludwig van Beethoven Anniversary the...

Dance Education and Its Influence on Future Career

The article by Katherine Boland is an interview with ballet dancer Carolynn Rowland. Its main topics are the influence of dance or art education in general on people’s future careers that may be not related to the dance sphere. Carolynn stresses the importance of education as it helps expand the...

The Difference Between New Orleans and Chicago Style Jazz and Swing Style Jazz

Both New Orleans and Chicago styles greatly contributed to the development of jazz music in the 19th and 20th centuries. The common thing that unifies New Orleans and Chicago Style is the significant impact of individual solos, less relaxed music, and 19th-century Black ethnic music motives (Encyclopædia Britannica, n.d.). Discover...

Dances: Visual Elements and Historical Context

Introduction Having multiple social and cultural functions, dance has always been viewed as a mixture of the tradition and the means of self-expression. Therefore, as an art form, dance represents a very complex notion worth researching further (Predovan et al., 2019). Remarkably, despite belonging of the same category of dance,...

The Transmission of Dance Techniques

In this discussion post, I would like to provide my understanding of transmission and dance from the provided sources. First of all, the transmission of dance techniques, as discussed within the article by Anthea Kraut, can be summarized as a way of cultivating particular movement patterns through replication (Kraut). Through...

Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour Review

The music group that performed in the video is called the Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour. It is a band that consists of “six of the fastest-rising stars in jazz” (Monterey jazz festival on tour, 2019, para. 1). In 2019, they “join forces for the first time to celebrate the...

Swan Lake: How Matthew Bourne Made Love Absolute

Introduction Swan Lake is a work that has become a world classic. It has resonated in the hearts of many people and has become a benchmark for them among ballets. The ballet’s musical accompaniment is striking: the composer was the Russian classical composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. He gave each note...

The Origin of Blues Music Genre

Introduction Blues is one of the few music genres that originated in the African-American communities. Its main characteristics are unusual rhythm, repeatable lyrics, and unique chord progressions, which make the genre instantly recognizable. Over the years, blues has gained popularity not only in the African-American communities but also throughout the...

Classification of Dance: Dancing Styles and Their Characteristics

Dancing is one of the most ancient hobbies and means of entertainment, which has been evolving and expanding throughout history. It is defined as a rhythmic movement of the body to the sound of music within a given space (Mackrell, 2019). Professional dancing is a complex structure that branches out...

Two Genres of Music: Rap Music and Jazz Music

Similarities Both genres of music once became a symbol of the protest of their time (Gioia 23). They were created by African-Americans who faced daily oppression and struggled to survive in a hostile system. Both genres were born as a way of entertainment (Gioia 20). Music became a language trough...

Analysis of the First Movement of the “Fifth Symphony”

In Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, a motto-resembling four-note rhythm starts the first movement. It creates a rhythm for tapping rather than a music melody, and its unsolved form gives the impression of an unanswered question. The sentiment conveyed by the C minor key within this motto in the first movement often...

Bach’s “Little” Fugue

Bach’s Fugue in G minor, commonly referred to as “Little” Fugue, is an organ piece and one of the composer’s best known fugues. Right from the beginning, the listener can distinguish four voices that enter the melody and continue to play throughout the work. The voices used in the piece...

Johann Sebastian Bach’s Sacred Cantata BWV 29

Introduction The sacred cantatas constitute a significant part of the scope of the music of the era of Baroque. The music that worshiped God and his creations in instrumental and vocal pieces aimed at praying the Creator. Being predominantly church music, sacred cantatas were constructed in strict form and under...

“Follow the Leader” by Eric B. & Rakim

Introduction “Follow the Leader” is a hip-hop song by an American rap duo Eric B. & Rakim, the stage names of Eric Barrier and William Griffin. Released in 1988, the song was critically acclaimed and is still considered among the most prominent and influential compositions produced by the rap duo....

Music as a Reflection of History Since the 1960s

Music is inextricably connected to the context within which it is produced, with the inter-relationships between music, culture, and society being studied extensively throughout the decades. In cultural customs, music is among the core features of social celebrations, such as weddings. In social life, music serves as a tool for...

Jay-Z, Biography and Influence

Shawn Corey Carter, also known by his stage name Jay-Z, is a successful American musician, producer, and businessman, renowned for his influence on the hip-hop genre. Born in Brooklyn in 1969, Carter was raised by his mother with his three older siblings (Jay-Z Biography). Having a rough childhood, the boy...

Madonna as a Controversial Artist of the 20th Century

One of the prominent controversial artworks of the 20th century related to sexual revolution and women empowerment is a song called Like a Virgin performed by Madonna in 1984. The name of the song alone led to the establishment of versatile conversations and arguments in the conservative American society of...

Musical Instrument Families and Ensembles

Instrument families It is important to note that several instrument families possess unique characteristics. In the case of country music, the most used one is the strings family, which includes dobro, banjo, or autoharp. Similarly, rock also belongs to the strings family, such as bass and guitars. However, jazz mostly...

The Newport Jazz Festival

Newport Jazz Festival is a grand musical occasion held every summer in Rhode Island. It was initially established as the first annual American jazz festival starting to attract notable jazz musicians, including Billie Holiday, Dave Brubeck, and Ella Fitzgerald. The line-up for the 1998 Newport Jazz Festival included Diana Krall,...

The Passenger Opera Analysis

The Passenger by the composer Mieczysław Weinberg is the opera based on the autobiographical book of the same name by the Polish writer Zofia Posmysz. The libretto was written by the Russian music critic Alexander Medvedev. The opera has been praised by critics for its stunning music, and at the...

Cultural and Individual Expression Through Music

Introduction For a long time, music has been used by various cultures globally as a tool for the expression of the individual and communal tenets of such cultures. For example, in Asia, there is compelling evidence in the literature to suggest that individuals and different cultures have used music as...

Comparison of Pieces: Baroque, Classical and Romantic

Over the centuries, the popular music changed, partly as cultures changed, as new instruments were invented and as the ability to manipulate musical patterns developed and became more and more sophisticated. Some of the earliest periods are sharply defined, because the changes which created them were major, The Baroque period...

Bob Fosse of Broadway Fame

Born in Chicago, Illinois, on June 23rd, 1927, Bob Fosse grew to become the “most influential man in jazz” (Dance Help Inc.). At the height of his career, he was a theater choreographer, screen writer, film director and director. During his career, “he won eight unparalleled Tony awards for choreography”...

Beethoven’s Personality and Music

Music, just as any other art is the reflection of the soul and inner feelings and emotions of the creator. It is the reflection of reality as the artist perceives it. Since a work of art is the creation of a person, it is impossible to interpret it apart from...

“Frederic Chopin: A Guide to Research” by W. Smialek

Introduction Music is one of the finest art forms that the mankind has ever created. It allows people express their emotions and reflect the whole beauty of the surrounding world. However, research in music would be impossible without another art form – literature. In this paper, I will present the...

Turkish Musical Instruments in Classical and Contemporary Music

Introduction Variations in music for every region or locality render identity. Contemporary music has emerged as a mixture of influences from popular to the most minor of ethnic groups so that from time to time, interesting and easily acceptable tunes could become global success in the music industry. This can...

Career of Sound Engineer

Introduction People’s professions are usually viewed from the most known sides. Those, who treat people, are thought to be doctors, miners are considered to extract coal, and sound engineers deal with music instruments. The important part is that most people do not even guess that all professions deal with lots...

Favorite Instrument on the Web: The Guitar

History and/or Manufacturers Guitars were invented in Spain, by the people of Malaga around the 15th century. Initially, it was a very small instrument with four pairs of strings each pair called a “course”. Two significant changes were made to the guitar in the Baroque period – double strings were...

Ethnomusicology: Personal Statement

Introduction Emic and Etic are expressions widely used in the field of social sciences. Researchers continue to show disagreement when it comes to the use and definition of the two terms. The two terms were first used by Kenneth Pike in 1954. (James Lett 2008). He relates the cultural study...

Marvin Gaye “What’s Going on” Album’s History

Introduction Marvin Gaye was born in Washington, D.C., on April 2, 1939 and he died on April 1, 1984 he used to sing as a child in church (Turner S, 1998 p.12). His father was a Pentecostal church minister and hence Marvin Gaye grew up listening to the music of...

Castrati Singers: History, Impact, and Modern Perspectives

Abstract This paper focuses on the study of a castrato’s phenomenon from the perspective of the history of music. To better understand the role castrati singers played in opera, along with the impact of castration, the nature of their singing and bodily effects are explored. The prohibition of male voices...

Laura Pausini: Live Music Event Critique

In this paper, I will present my analysis and reaction to the live concert of Laura Pausini, which took place in Miami on July 26, 2018. The event started at 8:00 PM at James L. Knight Center and lasted for a couple of hours. It was dedicated to Laura’s new...

Eminem’s “Stan” as an Example of Browning’s Monologue Format

Poetry is one of the most popular literary forms since it allows authors to express vast ideas in a short form. Whether written with rhymes or as blank verse, poems can have a profound effect on the reader. In modern artistic ways of expression, songwriting is probably the most popular...

Madonna and Feminism in Her Songs and Everyday Life

This essay is centered around the famous singer Madonna and feminism in her artistry and activism. Read it and learn about Madonna feminism and its influence on society. Introduction Gender is one of the most influential and interesting themes addressed in a cultural artifact. Feminism, motherhood, gender parity, violence, machismo,...

Greil Marcus’s “Like a Rolling Stone”: Analyzing Its Cultural Impact on Music

Introduction Songs bring different flashbacks and memories to different individuals. Songs sometimes keep history, which reflects the events or activities that took place during the song’s composition. Moreover, songs reflect and forecast personal, cultural, political, and communal memories, usually with significant events or occurrences. Like a rolling stone is a...

Jazz Music and Its Role in Society

Introduction Jazz is a music genre that is difficult to define. It is a type of music that heavily uses musical elements such as ragtime, blue notes, brass band tradition, European harmony, swung note, syncopation, polyrhythms, and improvisation (Baskerville, 2009). Jazz gets its appeal from the blend of different musical...

The Clarinet History, Manufacturers and Composers

The average person has no idea that the clarinet is not an example of a musical instrument that traces its origins from ancient times. They will be surprised to know that the clarinet was invented in the beginning of the 18th century. Nevertheless, less than a century after its invention...

The Song “Drifting” by Andy McKee

Sound The unique aspect of the song “Drifting” by Andy McKee is that even though he is merely using a simple string guitar he is able to derive a gamut of different tones from a single instrument (Drifting, 1). There is no singing, no overly elaborate background music, no wailing,...

Music in Films: The Psychology in Film Music

Often, music plays the role of a mood transmitter of a cinematic picture and sets the tone. “Dexter Opening Theme” throughout the introduction, despite its ease, builds tension and suspense. Hence, quite upbeat, joyful music plays against the background of the morning routine of the main character (Ramanjiah, 2011). It...

Different Functions of Music: Art and Social Movements

Culture plays an important role in the conditions of the modern era because it defines society’s beliefs, values, and behaviors. Modern national cultures present a result of a continuous process in which different groups of people are united in one nation through shared beliefs and practices. Music presents an essential...

Music and Its Impact on Cognition and Emotions

Everyday activities like going to school, drinking coffee, working out, and occasionally even sleeping involve listening to music. People frequently choose music based on their feelings. When people are joyful or sad, they will listen to different types of music. People do this because music has the power to alter...

Philosophizing About Music and Emotions

The main abstract question about music and emotions is how music communicates feelings. This question is extended to how and why emotions are experienced in reaction to music, the worth of those experiences, and why we seek out music that makes us feel negative emotions like despair. According to Hesmondhalgh...

The “Hamilton” Musical and Its Significance

Introduction In 2020, a video version of the acclaimed Broadway musical Hamilton was released on Disney+. It was invented by the actor, singer and composer Lin-Manuel Miranda – and he also played the main role. The plot is based on a real biography of an American politician, reformer and finance...

Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphonies

Introduction The performance of the Fifth Symphony was a great success; it was the moment of the victory of creative genius over physical weakness – Beethoven was almost completely deaf, and one of the orchestra’s soloists was forced to turn the composer to the audience so that he could see...

The Dance Performance and Media Arts Lesson Plan

Name of lesson Dance Performance and Media Arts in History Content taught using creative arts as a pedagogical tool Audio-visual information on dance as a cultural art form will be used as a pedagogical tool for this lesson. The cohort Levels 3 and 4, students from diverse backgrounds Learning outcomes...

Rhetorical Triangle Assignment: “In The End” by Linkin Park

Music is a powerful medium capable of conveying highly impactful messages. Modern rock is especially noteworthy for its combination of electronic sounds and important social meanings. Linkin Park is one of the most recognized rock bands in the world. Although it has produced a substantial number of memorable songs, In...

Haitian Compas Music and Its Crossover Crisis

Introduction The culture of Haiti is a unique mixture of old traditions and new influences, coming together to create a complex and distinct national image. Haitian music has been affected by individuals who lived on the Caribbean Island before the colonization. It is comprised of a broad scope of influences...

‘Ring Shout’: the Beginning of Many Roads

‘Ring shout’ was a common dance of Black American plantation slaves. It included moving around in a circle in a counterclockwise direction, chanting, handclapping, or praying in the process (“African American Spirituals.”). Other elements of ‘Ring shout’ were calls, cries, and rhythm. The dance is believed to be a form...

Jamaican Music’s Evolution and Forms

Introduction When one talks about Jamaican music, the first music genre that comes to mind is reggae music by Bob Marley. However, the history of Jamaican music spans beyond the music legend. The history of Jamaican music is based on drumbeat with a bit of European influence. Today Jamaican Music...

Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata

This work became one of the most amazing spiritual revelations of the composer. The “Moonlight” sonata is one of the works in which Beethoven was looking for new ways to develop the sonata cycle. He called it a fantasy sonata, emphasizing the freedom of composition, which deviates far from the...

The History of Punk Documentary Analysis

Introduction The punk subculture represents a broad spectrum of sociopolitical and artistic ideologies and forms of expression stretching back to at least the 1950s. Primarily, it has represented itself as a youth culture, with the primary means of expression through style, popular music, and the media. It is notable that...

Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody Song Analysis

I think that Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody is a song of the decade for the 70s. It is an obvious choice, but I think it is really difficult to name a more iconic and long-standing track. Being a rock ballad, it combines unexpected shifts of melody and style to the point...

Reactionary and Proactive Songs

Introduction When artists and musicians write songs and compose music, they often get inspiration from outside events that may be disturbing for small cities, countries, or the world. It is particularly noticeable in the 1960s-1970s or earlier songs when creators did not have the same technical power as the contemporary...

Expressionist Music and Its Features

Expressionist music is one of the biggest and most significant musical trends of the early 20th century. This direction was radically different from the previously considered traditional and classical music. Such a separation and denial of established principles was the main distinguishing feature of musical expressionism. Through a departure from...

Shrek the Musical by David Lindsay-Abaire

Shrek The Musical is a musical written and directed by David Lindsay-Abaire, the story writer who composed the lyrics and melodies by Jeanine Tesori. It is based on the DreamWorks Animation feature Shrek from 2001 and aspects from the sequels Shrek 2 and Shrek Forever After and William Steig’s 1990...

Five Innovative Jazz Techniques: Overview

Innovative Jazz Techniques The process of learning to play jazz music is often compared with the gradual mastery of a foreign language. Jazz really is a separate musical language in which musicians communicate both with each other and with an attentive listener. Jazz music implies maximum freedom of interplay within...

Skills for Social Promotion in the Music Industry

Strategies for Self-Promotion With the extended globalisation and digitalisation of society, it is becoming evident that using previously working promotion schemes no longer makes sense. As a contemporary artist, it is not enough to be able to play the guitar well and perform on the street to become famous. In...

Relationship Between the Medieval Music and Culture

Musical culture is one of the extremely complex formations in which aesthetic, psychological, social, communicative and other directions are intertwined. This multiplicity is associated with the special parameters of the impact of its basis – music. Music is among the most ancient and widespread arts in human culture. It is...

The Song “Strange Fruit” by Billie Holiday

Musical culture is one of the factors in the formation of public protest. Musical compositions of this genre serve as a protest against the existing situation, politicians, social and global injustice, the way of life, and in general everything that enslaves people, makes them slaves, and perishes a personality out...

Madonna’s Music Impact in the United States

Introduction Madonna was an American female hip-hop singer whose music was categorized as controversial of her actions, her rebellious image, and songs with provoking lyrics. At the same time, Madonna was also a songwriter, actress, and entrepreneur. Her popular fame came in the 1980s and 1990s when she sold an...

Gary Davis: “Death Don’t Have No Mercy”

Death is inevitable for everyone on the planet, and sooner or later, it will come to every home and take away all who are loved by the human heart. The song is a terrible embodiment of the variability of life, the sudden possibility of decease at any moment; this part...

“Crazy” Song Performed by Willie Nelson

One of the songs I listen to often is “Crazy,” performed by Willie Nelson. The song was written by Nelson, but it was originally recorded by another singer, Patsy Cline. Nevertheless, I like this version and think that it is a staple of Willie Nelson’s style. The first term I...

Tap Dance: History and Personal Attitude

Dance Dance is a rhythmic set of steps and body movements that matches the speed and flow of music. Dance exists in many forms, including tap, ballet, hip-hop, jazz, ballroom, and contemporary (Franks, 2021). The thrill that comes along with various types of dance captivates me. The liveliness that is...

African American Musical Styles and Its Influence on the American Culture

Introduction Discussing the African influence on American music in its glory and variety is an interesting, if not educative, task. The African American music influence has become so central to American music that none would exist without them. The African people are the earliest non-indigenous inhibitors of what would become...

Mark Ronson’s Musician Profile

Mark Ronson is an English-American musician, producer, singer, songwriter, record executive, and a five-time Grammy award winner. Ronson was born on September 4th, 1975, in London and spent the first few years of growing up in England before moving to New York City after his parents’ divorce. Ronson came from...

Drake’s “Gods Plan”: Visual Analysis on the Music Video

Music videos are created to accompany the songs and promote music artists. They often present specific messages or a story that musicians would like to tell their listeners. At the same time, the direction in which the performer works also significantly affects the clips. These videos are pretty common, and...

Rock Movement Through the Rolling Stones

Rock is one of the most outstanding movements in the music industry, which began to develop actively in the 1960s and is still present in music today. Historically, this genre has evolved from jazz with elements of blues and other genres (Kot, 2020). Combined with widespread social and political themes...

The Beatles Band’s Strategic Musical Evolution

Introduction The Beatles created the aura of rock music in the US through their classical masterpiece releases that revolutionized rock and roll to the enchanting genre it is today. The musical characteristics of a song are the features that captivate the target audience and ensure it maintains its competitive edge...

Analysis of Beethoven’s Concerts

For my analysis, I have chosen two concertos in which Beethoven is performed: the first is Beethoven’s Concerto for Violin and Orchestra (performed by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra). The second is Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony (performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra). In the first case, the concert hall is small; it...

Inti Illimani’s “El Aparecido” and Mapfumo’s “Nyarai” Songs

Songs “El Aparecido” and “Nyarai (Be Ashamed)” are examples of how the citizens of South America and Zimbabwe demonstrate their response to political and social changes. In “Nyarai,” traditional musical features are an 8-beat melodic cycle, the polyphonic interplay of bass and guitars, improvisation, and insistent articulation by percussionists (Schechter...

How Music Affects Juveniles

Introduction Music has remained a common source of advice and entertainment to millions of listeners across the globe. Individuals can rely on it to explore emotions, emerging ideas, and trends in their respective societies. Some young people identify music as a sign of expression and rely on it to acquire...

Singin’ in the Rain as an Example of Soundtrack Dissonance

Introduction Every movie is associated with a specific piece of music in the viewers’ minds. It may play during the pivotal moment in the film, signify a character’s appearance, or warn the spectators that something nefarious is about to occur. A soundtrack is a powerful tool for setting up the...

The Idea of Robert Frost’s Poem “Nothing Gold Can Stay”

The poem “Nothing Gold Can Stay” by Robert Frost is only nine lines long, but the author discusses complex topics through it. In early spring, the golden buds appear on the trees, but soon their color fades. Then flowers bloom, but they also soon turn into fallen leaves, reminiscent of...

Landfill Philharmonic Project

Music is an expensive hobby, especially if one wants to play real instruments instead of using software applications that imitate them. However, it is also a beneficial one, starting with developing a refined taste and leading to a bright future. The price issue seems to have been resolved by the...

Ian Curtis and the Decline of Western Civilization

In my opinion, Ian Curtis’ words “No language, just sound, that’s all we need to know” do not correspond as much to the fact that the general public in the U.S. lacks the scientific knowledge, as they actually reveal the essence of author’s subconscious anxieties, related post-industrial living. At the...

Contemporary Russian Folk Music

Among European folk music traditions, Russian folk music is the one with the most complex and exciting history. Having survived the centuries-long ban on instruments and the authoritarian cultural policy of the Soviet times, it now aims to find its place in modern popular culture while retaining its traditional spirit....

42nd Street Musical by Stewart and Bramble

If you want to learn about some secrets of show business, you need to watch the brilliant musical 42nd Street. This musical was written by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble in 1980. The production under consideration was performed by the Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts in 2013...

Colombian Singer J. Balvin

Colombian singer Jose Alvaro Osorio Balvin became famous all over the world as J Balvin and broke many musical records. During the 16 years of his career, he has released seven discs, sold 35 million copies of singles and 4 million copies of albums (Katler). Besides, the singer has become...

Live Concert of Arctic Monkeys in Glasgow

The incredible performance of Arctic Monkeys in the heart of Glasgow was a phenomenal success among Scottish spectators. The band performed 20 musical compositions as part of the TRNSMT Festival at the historical site where protests and demonstrations once took place. The spotlights behind the drummer, Matt Gelders, and the...

“Free to Be”: A Jazz Concert Review

The concert ‘Free to Be’ revolves around freedom, its joys, and its sorrows. The big band arrangement does the hard bop justice and sounds American to the core. The concert asks the listener to consider what freedom means to them and the people around them, and what it took to...

Protest Music in the 1960s

Since ancient times, music has been an essential component of any culture. While it has always allowed people to share their feelings and connect with others, creating melodies and signing are the ways the world population goes through specific life events. With the help of music individuals celebrate personal achievements,...

The Britain Music of the 1960s

Introduction Music forms an integral part of any culture’s tradition and practices. In the 1960s, a new tradition in the music industry emerged in Liverpool and London that would transform Britain’s culture forever. The influence these two distinct regions provided the emergence of several bands and songs that became sensational...

Electronic Music in Film: Leitmotifs and Melody

With the rise in the mainstream popularity of electronic music, it quickly worked its way into the cinema. Although less creative moviemakers view electronic music only as the background noise and the ploy for attracting the attention of modern audiences, most movie directors incorporate electronic music in movies thoughtfully. Due...