Music and Me

 I'm really enjoying the beginning of this class because believe it or not, my "go-to" music is traditional native American music on youtube. Whenever I'm having invasive thoughts cycling through my head, or need to find peace in a situation, I can rely on this recording to reset myself. The chanting I find powerfully moving and strangely relaxing. It brings a sort of emotion that I've only been able to experience through Native American Music. 

Whenever I'm in a good mood and just chilling, I like to listen to jazz or a mix of genres. I took a jazz ensemble and history class in community college and from that, a love of jazz was born.

My Jazz professor hated the word "Jazzy" but I think it's appropriate. His reason was that he thought "jazzy" was disrespectful to the world of jazz and its creators. I disagree. I think the term can apply to a lot of music. I think he just takes things too seriously. The man is a brilliant trumpet player and pianist though. Despite any disagreements with his philosophy, or how the class was run; I highly respected him for not only his musical abilities but for opening my mind and soul to the world of jazz. 

Also, Disney's movie Soul is incredible and if you have any understanding of jazz then you can enjoy the movie even more. 

When I was in my mid-teens I'd taken a personal interest in opera, before ever trying to sing or be in one. I convinced my mother to take us to a local movie theater where they were playing Madame Butterfly, an opera by composer Giacomo Puccini. This was my first time seeing an opera.  I was affected deeply by it.

Soon after, I'd audition for Phantom of the Opera and take the lead role of Phantom. The following year I took a position to sing with the Charlotte opera company for years to come. Below is a clip of the finale from the same Met Opera production I'd seen all those years ago.

Music that I don't really identify with would be modern-day rap/hip-hop. 

I like 80's artists such as Tupac, Biggie, and even Snoop Dogg. They're fun and easy listening and sometimes contain inspiring messages that still have relevance to today's issues. 

However, today's artists, specifically Cardi B, for example; is beyond explicit for no good reason other than for shock value. I can understand why people may ignore the lyrics because they claim to "just listen to the beat" but I don't think that sole reason is justifiable. She definitely isn't someone to be looked up to. I would keep her music and music similar to it far away from children's ears as possible, which is a whole other topic issue. 

I don't even feel comfortable sharing an example, but here.

I've practiced Japanese Martial Arts for a lot of my life but only recently delved into the world of Japanese Kabuki theater. The music, elaborate costumes, and stories attempted to bring to life an art form, consisting of prints on woodblocks called Ukiyo-e. This woodblock print art form was popular in the Edo period when Samurai Warriors were still an active part of society.

Traditional Japanese instruments have a hauntingly unique sound to each of them. 

The Shamisen is a guitar-like traditional string instrument. 

The Shakuhachi is a specific type of flute traditionally made in Japan.

The Taiko is the name of any type of drum or percussion instrument used. 

The Hyōshigi is a simple Japanese traditional instrument consisting of two pieces of wood or bamboo often connected by a thin decorative rope. The "clappers" are played together or on the floor to create a cracking sound. Sometimes they are struck slowly at first, then faster and faster. 

This is very common in Kabuki Theater.