Abstract This paper takes a look at Islam's view on dance and music. According to the paper, although there are many groups within Islam that profess that music and dancing are forbidden, it is clear that the Qu'ran itself does not explicitly prohibit these activities. The paper goes on to say that several avenues of worship within Islam have developed into the practice of reaching God through dance or music. The paper focuses specifically on the Quwalli and the Mevelevi Order, also known as The Whirling Dervishes.
From the Paper "More intentionally musical is the Sufic tradition of the Quwalli. Quwali means "word," and can be thought of as the physical and auditory manifestation of the divine voice. As with the Quri, the Quwallis use their voice as a tool of worship, but they move into the world of interpretation and individual expression of the words themselves. They can be likened to the Gospel singers of the Western world in this respect, though this may be a misleading comparison since the Sufi practice, from which the Quwalli find their beginnings and roots, is far more steeped in history and tradition and could be considered a more "serious" endeavor. Quwallis use the music of their voices to worship foremost, and to communicate and encourage their listeners to worship with them is a secondary concern."
This paper describes zydeco music and dancing, popularized by Creole French speaking people of African decent living on the prairies of south-central and southwest Louisiana.
Abstract This paper explains that zydeco music, a form of dancemusic, is characterized by a syncopation or a shift of accent in a passage or composition that occurs when a normally weak beat is stressed. The author points out that the accordion and keyrub board, (also know as the washboard, scrub board or a froittoir) are essential parts of the zydeco sound, but there are no fiddles as in Cajun music. The paper relates that traditional zydeco dancing was done subtly, smoothly and upright by couples in a closed position; however, zydeco dancing appears to be evolving from a couples dance to individual free-style. The author relates that Clifton Chenier, who brought the zydeco genre to international attention, reigned as the "King of Zydeco" with a career lasting 30 years, and earned a Grammy award in 1984.
From the Paper "The changes that have taken place in zydeco music can be tracked by the type of accordion that is used. There were four different models of accordions that have been widely used in the zydeco musical genre, each type varying in the number of rows, and consequently the number of keys. The accordions were sturdy and could be easily heard in big crowds of people. Today, there are diatomic models as well as chromatic models. The diatomic models only play the full-step intervals found in major scales, while the chromatic "piano" accordions encompass half-step intervals..."
Abstract The paper is an in-depth study of the history of hip hop dance, from before and after the 1970s, and its effects on society. It explores how this type of dance is unlike other dance forms and the elements that make it up. There are no fixed forms to dance, but only styles. The rest is up to the dancer. It is a style of dance for all society giving the freedom to all to dance according to their desires. The paper also shows how hip hop is very much an American product. The hip hop trend enables the path for several dancers, and at the same time it also fosters and promotes more suggestive dance moves. The paper provides clear indications of the effects on culture; some hip hop is racist in theme, while others are sexist. Many hip hop musicians concentrate on such issues like social inequity and the dangers of heroin use. The conclusion is that hip hop is more than just music. It is becoming the soul of pop culture as never before, and steadily moving from the street corners and music videos towards usage in the fitness centers, dance studios as well as television shows.
From the Paper "Hip hop may be viewed as a culture and is often used to refer to commercial rap music, but hip-hop is not only music. It is loved by the American ghetto youth who claim that it is their method of self-expression and use hip hop to rise over their physical situations. The culture of hip hop has its roots based on truth, self-determination, courage and pride. This is the reason why it has grown to have its impact on almost every part of the world. (Hip-hop History) Some hip hop is racist in their themes, while others are sexist. At the same time, there are also many hip hop musicians who concentrate on such issues like social inequity and the dangers of heroin use. From its early days in the US, the music is being played in projects and some underground clubs, but, now it has achieved a profile that has led to include it in the 1992 presidential debates over Sister Soljah. In the 20th Century Fox movie, Bulworth, there is Warren Beatty playing a Senator who berates his opponents using rap. Hip hop, it would seem, has become a part of our lives. (Classified Hip-Hop or I wanna blow up like Marilyn Monroe's skirt) At the same time, hip hop is not only music. This form of dancing has become very popular and this is clear from the opinions of some experts. "There's a definite surge in the white neighborhood that wouldn't necessarily be exposed to hip-hop in their everyday life," says Keith Pinto, who is an MC and hip-hop dance teacher at the Dance Attack in Los Gatos, California. "They watch MTV, see other kids doing it and want to be a part of it. You can pretty much go to any dance studio in the Bay area and they'll have a hip-hop class." (Hip-hop dance fever)"
Abstract This paper shows how music has been combined with drama and dance throughout history and across cultures. The writers takes Tchaikovsky's western-influenced ballets and compares them to the very dissimilar traditional Japanese Kabuki music. Some similarities are drawn that show how different cultures appreciate and embody the inherent drama in music. The paper includes backgrounds of Tchaikovsky, Japanese Kabuki in an historical setting, as well as full descriptions of the music. The last paragraph compares/contrasts the two, while drawing overarching conclusions about the universality of music.
From the Paper "Since its birth, music has never been segregated out as "pure music" as the modern term now implies, with no implications attached to the sounds themselves. More often than not, there is always some sort of abstract connection made to the music, whether it is an evocation of a program, a tool for communication, a symbol of power, or a means of connecting with the spirit or the supernatural. Often, music will be used to tell a story, because of its ability to create atmosphere, manipulate moods, and even imitate concrete sounds. This ability leads to the creation of music in many categories?namely music with drama, and programmatic music. Drama and music have been combined since ancient times, in the form of accompaniment or incidental music to theatrical works, or as in Western Europe, operas and ballets. Wagner himself termed his operas "music dramas", but his was definitely not the first, nor the last great marriage of the two arts. For instance, since before the seventeenth century in Japan, an art combining music, acting and dance called Kabuki has flourished. Kabuki stems from other Japanese forms called Noh and Bunraku, but whereas these two forms combine music and drama of sorts, Kabuki is by far the most lavish, and is a combination of these other two forms. Besides exhibiting far greater orchestral forces, there is also a strong emphasis on the dance. Likewise, across the continent at about the same time an art of schooled dance began in the courts in France, culminating to what we now know as ballet. Ballet itself was often found in segments of operas, and in the eighteenth and nineteenth century it became fashionable to create full-length story ballets, consisting of purely music and dancers telling a story. A prime example of the apotheosis of the ballet genre would be Tchaikovsky's popular ballets, Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker. Thus, the idea of music supporting dramatic action can be evidenced in both Japanese Kabuki, and Tchaikovsky's ballets, although both display as many striking differences as similarities."
Abstract This qualitative study seeks to examine the hip-hop dance form ethnologically and from the anthropological view, through administration of a survey/questionnaire and a review of peer-reviewed literature. This study finds that hip-hop is interwoven throughout the very fabric of modern media, music and art and is an integral expression in societal interaction and expression. Hip-hop is modern and yet primitive and will be around for many years to come.
Table of Contents
Abstract
Objective
Introduction
Research Questions
Research Instruments
Data Collection
Data Analysis
Literature Review
Discussion
Conclusions
Bibliography
From the Paper "The respondents to the data collection instrument (survey-questionnaire) were asked what was it that influenced them in listening to hip-hop music. The answers given were affirmations that imitation in society is alive and well in the present day. Because the hip-hop radio stations were readily available, the respondents state that this exposure was key in their music influences at an early age. When asked what influenced the respondents in their preference of the hip-hop dance form the answers given in unison stating that MTV was an influence and stating that imitation was the beginning of this dance form adoption by the respondents."
Abstract This paper describes the mystical approach to Islam known as Sufism and the role of the Dervish within this tradition. The unorthodox Sufi approach to Islam is first described. Then, the role of the Dervish is explained. The author further describes the essence of the Dervishes as using ritual and dance as a means of mystically and spiritually communing with the divine. A background of the Dervishes is presented, including a biography of its founder and a history of its first orders. The Dervishes' dances are also described. The author concludes that the rituals of the Dervishes form an essential part of the Islamic faith and add to the depth and richness of that religion.
From the Paper "The Sufi Order or version of Islam is the more unorthodox form of the religion in many respects. The Sufi Order ".....seeks ultimate religious experience through mystic trances or altered states often induced through twirling dances or "whirling dervish." (SUFISM & WHIRLING DERVISHES) This is an important aspect in terms of understanding the function and significance of the Dervishes in Islam."
Abstract This paper looks at the life of Isadora Duncan, a pioneer in modern dance. It discusses her early life, personal life and education. The paper then addresses how her dance style was influenced by various elements such as Greek influence and American culture. It looks at Duncan's education and how this impacted her art. The paper concludes with the status of Duncan's dance style today and the existance of the Isadora Duncan Dance Ensemble.
From the Paper "Isadora Duncan is recognized as one of the pioneers of modern dance as it is known today. Since childhood she had loved poetry, beauty and rhythm. She had a large amount of practical common sense juxtaposed with a dreaming quality, inherited from her father. As her childhood was marked by poverty, Duncan hated reality, and was a rebel (Dickson, 2001). This was all worsened by her parents? divorce and her mother's insistence that her father was practically subhuman. Furthermore Isadora's mother disavowed their faith and accepted atheism. The child's confusion was heightened by the fact that when she met her father, he was a charming, lovable man. This resulted in the fact that Isadora never lost her contempt for the institution of marriage as she had grown up with it."
This paper explores the history of the Hula dance and describes how the Hula maiden, with hips swaying in the breeze, has become a legendary symbol of Hawaii.
Abstract The writer of this paper details the history of the Hula dance and its significance as a ritual of religion, celebration, mourning and communication. This brief, yet concise paper, examines how, in ancient times, dancers were selected for hula training in childhood, spending their formative years under the care of a hula master, separated from the outside world and dedicated to the goddess Laka, patron of the hula. Hawaii's history of births, deaths, loves and battles were expressed in the Hula dance. The writer also details the accompanying music and melodic poetry, to which the dancer's swayed, which include the double-gourd drum, called ipu heke.
From the Paper "The history of births, deaths, loves, and battles of the people were preserved in chants and dance. Since Hawaii's history was recorded as dance, "hula dancers were expected to remember and repeat every dance step perfectly and under punishment of death," for "to change the dance was to change history." Hula was the written word for ancient Hawaiians, told through the movements of the dancers' feet, hands, and body movements. Through dance, stories were told, genealogies were kept, and beliefs were shared and imposed, thus to change the steps would be to change the message."
Tags:dance, history, hawaii, culture, ritual, communication
Abstract Zydeco is an important musical genre and the writer defines it as fun, upbeat dancemusic from southern Louisiana; characterized by scrub board and thimbles, spoons (metal or wooden), fiddle, triangles, accordion and occasionally a horn or two. This paper discusses its unique origins, the impact it has had on other music forms and the what the future holds for Zydeco followers. The paper looks at the types of people who follow Zydeco music and some of its major artists.
From the Paper "The reason this genre of music is not wide spread is very simple: the French Creole dialect. Most people cannot understand the lyrics because they are generally written and performed in French Creole (Kein, 41). This dialect was very prominent in seventeenth and eighteenth centuries in Louisiana and surrounding areas by African-American descendants and a few white settlers in rural areas (Kein, 133). After the Louisiana Purchase, English became more prevalent and French Creole died out except in rural areas and was passed down from parent to child and so on(Kein 56). Today, English is more often than not is the primary language used in Zydeco with hints of the Creole heritage."
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 looks at the music of 1990s and the early 21st Century, such as hip-hop, dance and techno and compares it to music of the 70s and 80s. It examines trends and artists such as Madonna, Michael Jackson, Etienne, Kurt Cobain, Dr. Dre, and others.
Abstract The paper notes the controversy about the impact of music on intelligence but discusses how studies shows that music has other positive impacts on infants and young children. The paper explores the researched effects of music on fetuses, newborns and children.
From the Paper "The actual research evidence on music and the baby brain is very limited. Whether or not there is a "Mozart effect" is debatable. Harvard University researchers Ellen Winner and Lois Hetland cautioned in 1999, for example: "Since 1997, we have been analyzing the research relevant to the claim that the arts lead to academic success. So far we have found no actual scientific evidence on the effect of music on infant brain development and subsequent school success." Even the original researchers at UCLA state that Tomatis did not report their findings accurately."
Abstract This paper begins with an explaination of some of the history of Carnatic or Karnatak music and explores how it has evolved. It provides detailed descriptions of the main instruments and song types. The final section provides short biographies of the three most influential Carnatic composers.
From the Paper "Music, in general, began in primitive times (hundreds of thousands of years ago). People living during this time period were hunter-gatherers and they used music and dance as a way to express emotion. The oldest songs consisted of words sung using a single pitch and gradually evolved to have a few (two or three) notes (Prajnanananda, 1963, p. 83). These ancient people had few instruments. They had flutes and lutes made from wood, bamboo, or bone as well as clay or wooden drums (Prajnanananda, 1963, p. 85). "
Abstract This paper discusses the evolution of Turkish music from its traditional roots to its contemporary form. The writer describes the rich cultural tradition of music in Turkey, and its unique blend of traditional Turkish, Arabic, Persian and Western music. The writer also discusses the modernization of Turkish music with the rise of rock, pop and rap, and provides a list of traditional musical instruments. The writer concludes that the ways that modern Turkish musicians have found to use traditional instruments in contemporary music have resulted in a musical brand unique to Turkey that is a true blend of the old and the new.
From the Paper "Although traditional Turkish music began as monophonic, their contemporary music adopted polyphonic forms. When Turkey went through a political and social transformation in the early 1900s wherein they began embracing more Western attitudes, several of its musicians began studying in Western nations. As a result of their western training, they changed Turkish music into a different form when they returned home. These Turkish-born and foreign-trained musicians studied in the cultural centers of Europe and upon returning to Turkey 'they became the founders of modern Turkish art music. Conventional approach considers five of these composers, commonly called the Turkish Five, as the first generation of the polyphonic school.'"
Tags: Janissary, Islamic, Cartel, sound, maquam, mystic, Arabesque, saz
Abstract This paper examines historically social dancing in the 20th century, also called couple dancing. The paper describes the five different types: Modern Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot, and Quickstep, all of which are presently danced the world over both socially as well as in dance sport competitions.
From the Paper "Social dancing was derived from the concept of dancing by a couple, usually a man and a lady, in a closed hand. Coming from the eighteenth and early nineteenth century, these dances gained popularity from the standard ballroom dances with diverse rhythms, tempos, and aesthetics. Although all these aspects changed with the change in the social attitudes, the one thing, which remained common through out the history of dancing, is that of the couple dance or the social dances. (Evans 2001)"
