Music Discussion Assignment

All materials in class mentioned in the following instructions is my provided ppt and you can get the ppt from the link below:
https://prezi.com/view/zw7PU4Vxn8v4t5PxfGSv/embed

For this assignment, you will choose a piece of music that is familiar to you and discuss it using the vocabulary we’ve developed in MUS 125. Your paper should be at least 2 full pages (12 pt font, 1.5-spacing, 1-inch margins) and adhere to the following structure:

1. List the following information for the piece of music you chose:
a. Title
b. Artist/band/performer
c. Year of recording release or date of performance
d. Title of album or performance information
e. (Optional) link to the piece on youtube or other source
2. The Feel: 1 paragraph (4–6 sentences) on the subjective qualities of the music. Discuss the Feel using the vocabulary we’ve developed in class (See provided ppt) and integrate at least one quote from the articles used in class (see Lecture Notes>The Feel.) (See provided ppt) Cite conventionally.
3. The Delivery: 1 paragraph (4–6 sentences) that discusses aspects of the music’s Delivery using the vocabulary we’ve developed in class. (See provided ppt)
4. Musical Elements: 1 paragraph (6–8 sentences) that explains at least 4 Musical Elements of the music using the terminology from this class. (See provided ppt) You should pick Musical Elements that are the most important for understanding this music and how it works.
5. The Culture: 1 paragraph (5–7 sentences) that discusses at aspects of the music’s culture, drawing from the cultural considerations we have discussed in class. (See provided ppt)
6. Summary and Comparison: 1 paragraph (5–7 sentences) that gives your final thoughts on the music AND makes a meaningful comparison to a piece of music from our listening list. (See provided ppt)
You need to find 1 source by yourself and cite it in APA format.

SOME IDEAS:
Elements – discuss 4-6 notable musical Elements for your musical selection as discussed in class

Pulse, Rhythm, Meter
Melody
Harmony
Phrase & Form
Timbre & Instrumentation
Lyrics
Some ideas
Describe the pulse of the piece. Does the music have any interesting rhythmic qualities to it that you can write about? What’s the meter? Does the melody have a particular shape that you like? Can you feel harmonic tension anywhere in the song? If not harmonic tension, is there a moment in the song where the melody is harmonized (as in a duet part singing the same melody) that adds anything for you? If nothing else about harmony, what can you find out about the song’s harmony online (or via questions to Sam or Brian)? What about the form? Can you break down the form in terms of Verse and Chorus or your own words to describe the sections? Are there other elements like an Introduction or Bridge? Describe the Instrumentation and the overall Timbre. What about the lyrics?
The Feel – discuss 2-5 notable aspects of how the music makes you Feel -OR- discuss the Feel of the music in a non-personal way. Please include at least ONE article citation from the articles available on the Prezi notes – under The Feel.

Physical
Subconscious
Mood, Emotion
Cognition & Intrigue
Creativity & Spirituality

Some ideas:
Does the piece make you want to move or dance? Do you think listening to it has an effect on your subconscious mind? What mood does this music put you in? Why did you choose this song or piece of music? Where did you hear it for the first time? Does it illicit a memory? Does it help you think? Are you intrigued by a certain aspect of the song? Describe the attraction this piece of music has for you. Describe the moment in the music that appeals to you the most.
If you would rather write about The Feel in a non-personal way, consider other ways to describe these qualities. If this music were a soundtrack to a film, what would be happening on screen? If this is dance music, would the dance be energetic or chill? Does the music seem to come from a certain place cognitively or creatively (deep/trivial)? Can you describe the sentiment of the lyrics? Describe the character and vibe of the music.

Culture – discuss 3-5 notable aspects of the music’s Cultural component

Roles people play
Historical Context, Mirror & Impact
Ritual
Excellence & Reception
Governance

Some ideas:
Describe the ensemble as a whole and parse out the different Roles you perceive. Did a person in the ensemble write the song? Any particular artist (vocal or instrumental) that captures your attention? Is there a history to the ensemble or song? Is the piece Mirroring a cultural sentiment? Has it had an Impact or do you think it could? What has the reception been? Has there been a published review that speaks to an interesting aspect of the music? Any controversies with regard to intellectual property rights or the like? How or what does your selection connect in terms of current trends, popular and political climates? How does this piece of music reflect the artistic expression and voice of your generation? Describe the type of audience and cultural Ritual this music is suited for.

Delivery – discuss 2-5 aspects of the music’s Delivery

Live Music
Voice & Instrument
Rote Tradition, Music Notation and MIDI
Recorded Music Formats
Recorded Music Playback

Some ideas:
If your selection is Live Music, where was it? How did the space suit the sound? Is there something unusual about how the music got to the musicians themselves vis a vis Rote Tradition or Music Notation? If your selection is Recorded Music, what format did you hear it in? How was the fidelity? Do you know what sample rate it was recorded in? What about Recorded Music Devices? What gear? Do you think it was intended to be played on a particular format and with particular devices?

Summarize and don’t forget to compare

This report should be a structured – but MORE THAN THAT, we are looking for a thoughtful discussion and description of your musical selection and a THOUGHTFUL comparison to a song (or multiple songs) from our list. The song you choose for a comparison does not have to be similar but it can help. You will need to find something in common to make a decent paper – an idea that comes to mind would be to select a song by the same composer or performer as one from the list (your song of choice could be Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” for instance and you could compare to “Billie Jean” – OR you could compare with a similar genre – like NWA’s “F*ck the Police” with Notorious B.I.G’s “Dead Wrong.” Please be constructive and candid with your responses.