music

Semester Project Outline Requirements

Each student will complete a presentation on a particular style of music not covered during the semester. In order to create a presentation you need to start with an outline.

The outline will vary somewhat depending on the music you have chosen. Here are some guidelines. You may want to include the following topics:

I. Origins of the music: When and where did it begin? What are the earliest examples? Has it changed over time? Help us understand that part of the world and the forces that shaped its people.

II. Cultural aspects: When is it performed? Is it associated with any ritual or ceremony? Is this music unique to a single ethnic group or geographic region? Why is it significant?

III. Performance practices: Who plays the music? Does it require special training? If so, how are these skills acquired? Name distinct features of the playing style.

IV. Musical elements: Describe the treatment of melody, rhythm, harmony, form, texture and timbre that help define this type of music.

V. Instrumentation: What instruments are used? Are they unique to this particular style of music? Describe the instruments and how they are played.

You can earn extra points by doing either of the following (not required)

· an interview with someone familiar with the style of music you are researching (someone who is trained to perform the music or dance or was raised in the culture)

· attending a live performance

For example, a partial outline for a project on Irish music (which we are studying in class) might include: ( see below)

History of Ireland

Celts arrive on the island

Predominant industries – farming, herding

English oppression/ rebellion ( the “Troubles”)

Irish potato famine- 1840’s

Cultural Aspects

Ceilidh Dancing important part of Irish culture

Family oriented (developed into square dancing in US)

Informal “Sessions” held in pubs

Pub culture – “home away from home”

Performance Practices

Training required for Uilleann pipes

Flute player/tin whistle crossover

Anyone can play any instrument – no gender roles

Oral tradition, tunes vary slightly in each region

Hundreds of tunes memorized

Musical Elements

Musical example –“Swallow’s Tail” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFUlcdXtl5I

Music is very melodically-driven – flute, pipes and fiddle

Grace notes are common

Homophonic texture

Regular rhythm/ meter, variety of tempos

Music for dancing

simple, consonant harmonies

timbre of singer – bright, warm, use of “cracking” vocal style

Interview – Liam Kelly, Dervish Irish Band