Posts

Big Blog 2: One Last Music Culture

Image
Mariachi Music WHAT: Mariachi music is a lively and traditional style of music from Mexico. It usually features four or more performers who play traditional folk music instruments and sing together. The standard mariachi group today consists of as many as eight violins, two trumpets, and at least one guitar, including a high-pitched vihuela and an acoustic bass guitar called a guitarrón, with each player taking turns singing lead and backup vocals. Mariachi music was influenced by a blend of European, Indigenous, and African sounds. The Spanish brought string instruments to Mexico, which were originally intended for use during Mass, but they quickly became popular in secular events. Mariachi music is a fusion of Rock, Latin Pop, Cumbia, and Grupero music, and incorporates elements from other genres such as polkas and waltzes. Mariachi musicians also wear charro outfits, adding to their distinctive appearance. The lyrics of most songs are typically about themes such as machismo, love, b...
7 comments
Read more

Music & Family

Image
For this blog I decided to interview my dad. My dad’s name is Rafael and he is from Puerto Rico. Additionally, he speaks Spanish fluently. I decided to interview my dad because I know he is musically talented. Ever since I was a kid, I remember him playing either the guitar or the drums in our church’s worship band on Sunday mornings. Also, my dad had a drum set in our back shed, and about 4 guitars in the house. A Picture of me and my dad for Reference: From the interview of my dad, I learned so many cool things. Starting off, my father listened to hard rock, heavy metal, and thrash metal music growing up. These are all very aggressive music styles that involve electric guitars, drums, etc. This music genre was popular throughout his childhood and most of his friends listened to this music as well. His parents called this style of music “the devil’s music.” My father would mostly listen to music through MTV. Back in the day, MTV was a channel that played music videos. Additionally, my...
6 comments
Read more

American Roots Blog

Image
  American Roots Blog: Country Pop Music What is Country Pop? Country pop is a fusion genre of country music and pop music that was developed by members of the country genre out of a desire to reach a larger, mainstream audience. “Country pop music blends genres like rock, pop, and country, continuing similar efforts that began in the late 1950s, known originally as the Nashville sound and later on as Countrypolitan. By the mid-1970s, many country artists were transitioning to the pop-country sound, which led to some records' charting high on mainstream top 40 as well as the Billboard country chart” (Wikipedia). Where and When? The mixing of country music and pop began in the 1950s. Studio executives Chet Atkins and Owen Bradley wanted to create a new kind of music for young adults. This innovative genre originated in Nashville, Tennessee and later became known as the Nashville Sound. Country pop began when pop music singers like Glen Campbell, John Denver, Olivia Newton-John, and...
5 comments
Read more

Music and Gender

Image
It is no mystery that music holds influence and impact. Music can influence your perspective in many different areas of life. In other words, “music has the ability to deeply affect our mental states and raise our mood. When we need it, music gives us energy and motivation. When we're worried, it can soothe us; when we're weary, it can encourage us; and when we're feeling deflated, it can re-inspire us.” In the same way music can also inspire or also alter our opinions regarding social topics as well. In today’s world, more recent music will sometimes include controversial topics in order to influence or add to our personal thoughts of those topics. One big topic that music holds alot of influence over is gender. Gender plays a big role in music. Artists use music as a platform to express their feelings, opinion, experiences, backgrounds, etc. and with that sometimes comes the impression of gender and even sexual identity. One way this is displayed is “it has been suggested...
3 comments
Read more

Music and Rituals

Image
  American Graduation Ceremonies At my high school graduation, like many other graduations they played the well known “Pomp and Circumstance” song; also known as the Graduation Walking March song. This song has a steady beat played by mostly aerophones like flutes and clarinets. Whenever I hear this song, my mind immediately goes back to my graduation- and I’m sure this happens to most people, considering how iconic this song is. The phrase “Pomp and Circumstance” means “impressive formal activities or ceremonies.” The title comes from a line in Shakespeare's Othello ("Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war!") in 1901, and was first composed by Sir Edward Elgar. Along with this specific song played at the ceremony of highschool or college graduations, caps and gowns are assigned to the students which are highly associated with this event; in other words, you won't hear this song without seeing those outfits (caps and gowns). The specific attire plays hand-and-h...
5 comments
Read more

Noa: Music & Me

Image
  Hello, I am Noa Ortiz. I am from North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I love my hometown and I’m very close with my friends and family there. I did Jr. Olympic Competitive Gymnastics for about 8 years and I now currently work as a professional acrobat performer over the summers at Dolly Parton’s Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show. Some other fun facts about me are: I love Jesus, going to church, hanging out with friends, and working out. I’ve never been really into music; however more recently (like over the past 3 years) I find myself engaging with it more and finding it more fun and interesting! Some reference pictures of me :) 1. An example of what I like right now: “Everything She Ain’t” by Hailey Whitters “Everything She Ain’t” by Hailey Whitters is one of my current go-to songs. I use the app YouTube Music to stream my music and this song is something that I really like at the moment! Hailey Whitters is a country artist. The song “Everything She Ain’t” is about the "slight je...
4 comments
Read more