Abstract This paper will offer an overview of the MP3 phenomenon with the goal of presenting the two, sharply defined sides in the debate over the use and distribution of MP3 music files. On the one side are the consumers, and the creators and purveyors of MP3, including programmers, site managers, and artists. This group believes that music should be freely available for download despite the obvious copyright and royalty infringements. The recording industry labels and some artists represent the other side the battle. They believe they have the sole right to represent artists, to promote them, and to sell and distribute their work.
Abstract This seven-page undergraduate paper examines the influence of Miles Davis on Jazz in the United States. The author discusses how Jazz emerged as a combination of Blues, marching band, and Ragtime music, and focuses upon the influence of Jazz greats such as Miles Davis.
Abstract Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was an undeniable genius. Mozart's rejection of court musical life was transparent. Mozart's finances during the Vienna years must be counted a mystery. By the time of Mozart's final illness, he had completed only some of what has become known as "Mozart's Requiem". Considerable evidence suggests that Mozart dabbled in mathematics. In studying Mozart, we can see that his life was anything but ordinary.
Abstract This paper delves into the indigenous, American creation of jazz music. It looks at the relationship between the origins of jazz and the history of African-Americans, the main characteristics of jazz music, and the instruments originally used for playing jazz. The beginning of jazz music in New Orleans is discussed, as well as some of the influences on the music and the different types of jazz that evolved over time. Famous jazz musicians and singers are also mentioned.
From the Paper "A significant relationship exists between the origins of jazz and the history of African-Americans. To entertain themselves and get through the grueling days, plantation slaves would perform music that would remind them of their African homeland. Their songs, sounds and compositions would be on the wide variety of singing, rhythms and melodies that ranged throughout the continent."
Abstract This paper asks and attempts to answer the question, "how does a blind person begin a career in music?". It addresses this question by reviewing and explaining music Braille as opposed to literary Braille and its auxiliary technologies, by citing several resources available that offer Braille music or offer information and referral services for visually impaired students who wish to study music, and by explaining some of the technology available to assist blind students in their music studies.
From the Paper "The first names that come to mind when one thinks of successful blind musical luminaries, are likely to be: Ray Charles, Ronnie Milsap, Teddy Pendergrass, Jose Feliciano, and of course, Stevie Wonder, among others. And in the jazz and blues genre, there are a number of blind artists, such as George Shearing, Roland Kirk, and Rev. Gary Davis, to name a few. And, meantime, for the blind person who is not already competent at the task of performing or writing music, and who respects those famous blind musicians mentioned above ? and even views them as role models ? how does that blind person begin a career in music? How does a novice learn?"
Abstract This paper examines several of the issues put forth regarding the censorship of music lyrics. The paper maintains that censorship of music lyrics is justified at times and presents arguments that counter the arguments made by those who oppose censorship.
From the Paper "The content of music lyrics should be censored because the content has a major influence on people. This is especially true because music lyrics are influencing individuals who are at an age where they are not capable of making informed decisions, but are in the process of forming their opinions. It is also important to note that music itself is less a form of free speech, and more a form of advertising. The music produced is intended to convince people to purchase records and so can be considered as being designed to be influential. Since advertising is required to be censored, music lyrics should also be censored. This purpose of music also means that the argument that censoring lyrics prevents free speech is not valid. These issues related to the censorship of lyrics will now be discussed in more detail."
Tags: influential, pop, rock, rap, target, children, teenagers, singers, bands, artists, first, amendment, rights, rock, out, censorship, freedom
Abstract This paper discusses the topic of censorship in American music and, specifically, it names some groups or bands that were subject to censorship during their careers and the ways were they censored. It also looks at song lyrics that were "bleeped out" or otherwise edited and warning labels on recordings. It explores how American music has existed since the 19th century and has grown tremendously since the advent of rap, hip-hop, and rock and roll, and how censorship may seem logical because of the escalating number of violent and hateful lyrics in popular music. It also debates whether this kind of censorship makes a mockery of our Constitution, which guarantees our right to free speech and our right to disagree.
From the Paper "Music censorship is an ongoing trial for musicians and composers in America, partly because music is such an integral part of our lives. As one expert wrote, "Music, patterns of organized sound and silence in time, is important to people, evidenced by the presence of some form of music in virtually every culture. Not every person cares about any one particular piece of music, but almost every person cares about something musical" (Bindas xi). While much attention has been given to the censorship of music in the past decade, in fact, musical censorship has a long history in America."
Abstract This paper discusses how a well-constructed musical score transports us to the reality of the film and allows us to understand the world through the eyes of the characters, while never letting us abandon our own perspective. Through an analysis of the scores of the films, "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "Iron Monkey", it looks at the full effect of the power of an intelligent and challenging musical score. It also shows how, more than any other element of a film, the music that enters into us and that we carry away with us allows us to merge our inner reality with the subjective vision of the filmmaker.
From the Paper "The "Iron Monkey" score, on the other hand, is less effective at connecting the audience to a particular time and place but generally more effective at connecting us to the main character of the film. This is not a criticism of either film, for "Iron Monkey" is less about a particular individual and more about an era while the reverse is true of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"(which is about the couple at the center of the story but also about their effacement as well). In each case the score reflects this focus."
Abstract Igor Stravinsky is one of the greatest composers in history. This paper provides basic biographical information on Stravinsky and then discusses some of his important musical contributions. The paper then provides a reaction to one of his musical works, "Berceuse" (Lullaby), found on the album, "The Rite of Spring/Firebird" (1997).
From the Paper "He began to play the piano at the age of nine and quickly fell in love with the instrument. He admits in his book that he sometimes lacked the discipline required of the piano and enjoyed the art of improvisation instead. Stravinsky was often chastised for improvising, but in the end improvisation aided him in perfecting his craft. Stravinsky also explains that he was able to efficiently read music at an early age and spent much of his time reading his father's opera scores. (Stravinsky 1936)"
Abstract This paper examines the book, "Heavier Than Heaven", a biography of Kurt Cobain that was based upon medical and police reports, Cobain's personal journal entries, and over four hundred interviews with people who were very close to him during his life. It looks at how the work is a dismal description that details Kurt's low self-esteem, his abuse of drugs, and the grunge lifestyle that took him deeper into depression, where he was able to fulfill his prophecy of self-death. It also discusses how the shocking story of the singer's lifestyle is disturbing and entails a sad description that outlines how Cobain quickly reached the top in the rock world, but soon plummeted to the bottom in his own personal unhappiness.
From the Paper "Cobain was a heavy user of heroin. This drug habit worked a magic that allowed the musician to hear music within his head that he might not have experienced if not on the drug. However, the use of this substance was also his downfall as he became more addicted and determined to prepare for his own suicide. He suffered from a lifelong affair with the idea of taking his own life, as a teenager he spoke of the act, he also wrote about and created paintings of death. His song lyrics contained suicidal messages and while in Rome, he made an attempt by taking a drug overdose that was foiled by his girlfriend who had him rushed to a nearby hospital where he survived the effort."
Abstract This paper attemts to examine the theoretical arguments concerning grazing and consumption in general, by exploring some of the research and works of theorists on popular culture. With reference to established sources on popular culture including Adrono, Frith and Fiske, this paper investigates the notions of multiplicity of choice, 'grazing' and 'commodification' in relation to music consumption and freedom of choice. In conclusion it asks if we (as the audience of popular music) really have choice.
Outline
Commodification and Choice
Adorno
Fiske
Frith
Theories on Grazing ? Social Factors
Conclusions on Commodification and Grazing ? Do We Really Have Choice
Conclusions on Choice in Popular Music
Conclusions on Choice and Grazing
From the Paper "Criticism of Adorno's views on mass culture is wide ranging. Much stems from the fact that his view of popular music is taken from the viewpoint of high art and therefore, misses the point of popular music in the first place. Other dissatisfaction concerns his failure to address the emergence of Rock n? Roll in the 1950s; Paddison makes the observation that ?Adorno's defence of the musical avant garde can be applied to the work of composer and performers of popular music such as frank Zappa and Henry Crow. (Shuker 2002: 137 quoting Paddison 1993). However, the elements of Marxist theory in the work of the Frankfurt school, particularly concerning commodification, have been widely accepted and expanded upon by bodies such as the Birmingham school, and even populists such as Fiske."
Abstract This paper begins with an explanation of the cultural and sociological origins of Hip Hop and then describes how it has evolved over time to have two different faces. The paper describes one version of Hip Hop as more mainstream and accessible to society at large and one version as more underground, authentic, and still representative of the group that first created the Hip Hop culture.
From the Paper "The reasons why hip hop music became popular and the reasons why it is popular today are interconnected but unfortunately no longer identical. In the beginning, hip hop was based on cultural interrelation, rebellion, expression and accessibility -- its popularity was an organic part of its relationship to the impoverished and disadvantaged black community, and an implicit rejection of the way in which former modes of black music had sold out to white corporate America. Today, leaving aside the few dedicated independent and underground bands, hip hop has largely become part of the corporate machine. Modern hip hop's popularity is based on commercializing shrink wrapped rebellion, promoting the get-rich-quick dreams of an underprivileged class, and a myth of cultural continuity. However, this is not to say that nothing of the original vision remains, and there is certainly a degree to which hip hop is not dead."
Abstract This paper briefly looks at the history of American musical theater traced back to the 18th century. It looks at various types of musical theatre pieces, such as rock musicals, revivals, classics, and others.
From the Paper "In the 1790?s, theaters in New York City offered much more musical entertainments than mainstream theater drama. During this time, musical performances were flourishing in many other cities and commonly took place in the theater. This gave way to a the beginnings of a variety of entertainment including puppet shows, ballad operas, circuses, dances, all of which had some type of musical involvement."
Tags: ballad, opera, dance, show, talen, rock, revival, classic
Abstract This paper analyzes the topic of drug abuse and alcoholism during the Jazz Age and specifically discusses the history of abuse and its effects on musicians and the music itself. It looks at how jazz music has a long and varied history in the United States and how, unfortunately, it includes a long history of drug and alcohol abuse among performers, too. It attempts to show how this abuse helped give jazz an undeserved reputation among many listeners and how it also created a sub-culture among performers that has been difficult to overcome.
From the Paper "Jazz is more than music and enticing rhythms, jazz is a state of mind for many, and that may be why so many jazz musicians and performers alter their states of mind with alcohol and drugs. Jazz music first came into being in the early 20th century, and the word was first noted around 1913 (Teachout 58). A jazz writer notes, "That word jazz is ambitious. [?] The origin of the word is uncertain. The term has been applied also to noisy proceedings, to loud writing, to eccentric and discordant coloring'" (Osgood 10). Often performed by black musicians, jazz played a part in the Harlem Renaissance in New York, and remains one of the most popular forms of music today."
Abstract This paper examines the troubled childhood experienced by John Lennon, which ultimately impacted on the deeply personal music that he became so famous for. The paper examines how Lennon's music has lived through the years after his death and how it has influenced the music world and society in general.
From the Paper "It was during this period, that John was living in an expensive mock Tudor mansion in Weybridge, Surrey with his wife Cynthia and son Julian. Touring was over for the Beatles and the 26-year-old John Winston Lennon had done it all. He published two books, appeared in three films and wrote and recorded some of the world's best and most popular songs. John had a little too much free time on his hands and he was becoming restless."
