Abstract
The writer discusses the modern style of flamenco music in Spain. In this paper, the writer looks at the performers of flamenco music. The writer examines the impact of flamenco on Western music. Flamenco icons are also discussed and the writer looks at how the songs tell a story.

From the Paper
"Flamenco is the quintessential music of Spain. It springs not merely from a musical heritage but from an entire way of life. Spaniards the Andalucians and the Gypsy peoples have a long history of music and dance of many different styles. From the familiar works of Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras and Montserrat Caballe to the lesser known classical composers Isaac Albeniz, Enrique Granados, Fransisco Guerroro and Fransisco GilValencia, Spanish culture has spread its influence around the world. Contemporary icons like Julio Iglasias and his son ... "

Tags:flamenco, Spain

Abstract
This paper examines Flamenco and its dance Paso Doble. The paper describes the musical style of Flamenco and its musical instruments, including their physical description, sounds, uses and how to play. The paper describes many different styles of Flamenco music and offers examples as well as providing details about the dances of Paso Doble and its origins and impacts on Spain. This paper connects 13th century Flamenco to today's 21st century modernized Flamenco. The paper concludes that the history, form and instruments of Flamenco have helped to shape a culture and carve a piece of notable music today.

From the Paper
"Flamenco originates from Andalucia, a region in the South of Spain. It is theorized that the name Flamenco refers to a slang used by Spaniards in the 16th century towards the returning Flemish courtiers and soldiers known for their bright coloured clothing and conspicuous manners. Other theories suggest that the name Flamenco refers to the name erroneously given to Gypsies in the 14th century when they first entered Spain and created this form of music. It is suggested that Flamenco is derived from the words "fellah mangu" which translates to "a labourer who sings" referring to gypsy songs sung while working in mines accompanied only by the rhythmic sounds of the hammer and anvil pounding. It was not until the 17th century that Flamenco came into its own form. Through the 18th and 19th centuries it began to flourish in the cafA(c)'s of Andalusian townships and by the 20th century the music began to spread outside remote area's of Spain and into the surrounding world. Flamenco has reached audiences worldwide and will continue to do so because it is constantly modified and updated to appeal to newer and younger audiences while remaining tied to its proud heritage."

Tags:guitar, gypsies, tradition, dance

Abstract
This paper discusses the music recording industry and how it has been impacted by digital music distribution. The paper relates that the early success the music labels had against the initial music file downloading sites were short lived, and legitimate digital downloading sites have since prospered. The paper then argues that major recording labels are suffering from the decline in CD sales, not because of music pirating, but because they refuse to recognize that consumers demand digital music downloading for its convenience and portability. The paper further emphasizes that digital music distribution and retailing is the future of the music industry and every relevant party seems to recognize this, except the music industry itself.

Outline:
Overview
Restructuring of the music Industry
New distribution model & Itunes
Online distribution variations
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The music industry, in spite of its ineptitude and obstinacy over the past decade regarding digital music downloading, is finally realizing that whether it embraces downloading services such as iTunes and others, it must evolve with the digital age or face irrelevance. In order to compensate for the loss of revenues, the recording music industry has been examining their base revenues in order to determine if digital downloads can compensate completely for the decline in sales of CDs. Two of the major record labels, Sony and BMG, have even merged in order to expand their catalogues (Recording, 2007). There have been efforts made to encourage EMI to merge with one of the remaining three major record labels but thus far these remaining major record labels have resisted further consolidation. However, EMI undertook its own internal restructuring by merging its two main record labels in the US market during the first half of 2007 and Warner Music was sold during 2004 creating even more churn in the industry (Recording, 2007). Yet, perhaps the most visible change is the industry is the downsizing or disappearance of retail music stores, which has begun to accelerate."

Tags:electronic, music, downloading, recording, compact, disc

Abstract
This paper examines how music education requires different motivating concepts than other areas of the curriculum. The paper explains that this difference is evident because the student of music presents specific factors that are particular only to music learning. For example, by high school age the music student has generally experienced some type of vocal or instrumental training prior to entering a high school program. Those students that are new to music education must be evaluated, as well as motivated in different ways. Students in a music education program may also desire to work toward a career in music, while other students may only possess a slight interest in music. The paper also explains that, while each music education program is different, one primary element that remains the same is the student and that awakening the student's desire to achieve goals is essential to music education today.

Tags:music, education, motivation

Abstract
Music is an important element in life. Every person has the ability to listen to music and evaluate it based on his or her own personal tastes. This paper explains Aristotle's belief that measuring the worth of music based on personal likes and dislikes was the only appropriate way to determine music value. The paper also discusses Plato's view which differed from Aristotle's. Plato claimed that certain criteria had to be used to evaluate music. These criteria were necessary to alleviate subjective arguments and provide a universal system of measurement important in an ordered society. The paper then discusses the point that, while it is Aristotle's concept of music evaluation that was ultimately embraced by society, Plato's musical evaluation process can still be attributed to the manner in which some people believe that the value of music should be measured. Plato believed that music had the power to alter human emotion.

Tags:music, plato, philosophy

Abstract
The paper briefly discusses how music sharing gets new bands and musicians the kind of exposure that would be prohibitively expensive otherwise. The paper further discusses how file-sharing prompts discussion when it comes to music and gets people talking about music and learning about music, and as a consequence, a more knowledgeable and enthusiastic consumer base emerges. Finally, the paper asserts that people who lack the money to pay for that latest CD can go online and find what they are looking for; without file-sharing, they would be unable to enjoy what they love most. The paper then considers the arguments against file-sharing: constant file-sharing can degrade the albums or tracks; it deprives artists of what is rightfully theirs and it is illegal and, therefore, dangerous to do and unethical. The paper concludes that on moral grounds, the music industry needs to take a tough stand when it comes to music sharing.

From the Paper
"Music sharing has become a major controversy in recent years - chiefly because the internet has made it so. With the profusion of websites offering free downloads of various songs and lyrics, and with more and more people growing increasingly comfortable with finding their musical entertainment online, it has become surprisingly easy to infringe on the copyright protections and prerogatives of artists. As one can imagine, this has sparked unhappiness in the music industry; after all, talented musicians may labour for years to `make it big' - only to see a..."

Tags:music, industry, sanctions

Abstract
This paper examines the history of blues and rock music and how modern rock and pop have devolved away from their blues origins. The writer explains how blues music was born from African rhythms and the tragic atmosphere of slavery. Music was improvised on the spot to encompass the task or event at hand, and blues music thus became a combination of an awareness of the brutality of life coupled with a consciousness of its moments of grace. The exact birth of rock music is more difficult to define and started as a mix of the raw emotion of blues, the folk ideals of country music, and the innovative style of jazz. The writer traces its evolution through the folk revolution, the British (or Beatles) revolution, the 70s and 80s, and on to the present day, where it has lost much of its immediacy, honesty and emotion.

From the Paper
"The earliest form of American black music was a blend of their own African traditions and the missionary zeal of the Europeans. During the peak of the slave trade many Christian missionaries took it upon themselves to convert the African pagans into good Christians. The musical result of this was the development of what was loosely termed "Negro spirituals." This music was a combination of native African rhythms and European liturgical music. It mingled the diatonic scale of European music with the pentatonic scale of African music--a development that would mark all later black music. Spirituals were the first example of African music adapted to the social environment of the New World."

Tags:Zeppelin, music video, MTV vision musician genre freedom rebellion

Abstract
The paper discusses how the music industry claims free music downloading has had a drastic impact on the careers of almost everyone involved in the creation, production and distribution of music. The paper argues that music piracy is in fact the best thing that has happened to the music industry since although it decreases CD sales, it increases musicians' exposure and saves the industry money that would otherwise be used on pointless promotions. The paper points out that Apple relies on free music downloading by society's youth in order to manufacture and sell devices that can hold an enormous amount of songs. The paper firmly believes that it is time the industry realizes they are benefiting from free music downloading instead of focusing on the negative aspects of this long battled debate.

From the Paper
"In today's world, digital technology is constantly advancing allowing complex tasks to be completed by a simple click of a button. Shopping for a TV, a new video game, or any other item online requires the consumer's patience while the item is being shipped to its destination. Products sold through the Internet are not restricted to concrete items anymore. Due to advancements in computer hard drive space, music tracks and movies are being sold online, eliminating the trip to movie or record stores. According to Brian H. Murray in his book "Defending the Brand", the Internet has made an evolutionary change in business by allowing the consumer to purchase goods easier than ever before; however, " the explosive growth of internet users has spawned an equally explosive growth of internet abusers" (111)."

Tags:CDs, MP3, iPod, digital, music, files, Internet, musicians, artists

Abstract
This paper examines the different ways humans perceive music. The paper asserts that music may mean something different to everyone. It discusses the factors that influence how an individual perceives music such as biology and musical training. It also examines emotions evoked by music, and its therapeutic effects. The paper concludes that research the links between melody and the mind indicates that listening to and playing music can actually alter how our brains and our bodies function.

Outline:
Biology of Hearing
Musical Training
Musical Therapy

From the Paper
"Since music can affect our emotions, we have found ways to benefit from this such as music therapy. There are plenty of uses of music such as stress and anxiety relief, and also an intervention for pain perception (Richards , Johnson, Sparks, & Emerson, 2007)(Labbe, Schmidt, Babin, & Pharr, 2007). Studies have shown that listening to classical or self-selected relaxing music results in reductions of anxiety, anger, and sympathetic nervous system arousal and increased relaxation compared to those who sit in silence or listen to heavy metal music (Labbe et al.). On the contrary, it has been reported that 60% of adolescents who listen to heavy metal reported an improvement in their moods (Gross. 2006). This shows it may not matter the type of music one listens to as long as the individual enjoys it."

Tags:music, therapy

Abstract
This paper examines the rise of rap music from its beginnings to its current broad appeal. The paper also gives a background of black gospel music, describing its history and popularity. The author then turns back to rap music, citing a study about who listens to rap and what the audience's opinions are on specific social issues that they feel are addressed through this genre of music. The paper also denounces several myths about rap and its lyrics. Finally, the paper explores whether whites who listen to rap may be less racist. The paper includes a questionnaire about rap music.

From the Paper
" Although rap is presently receiving a great deal of notoriety, black music has long been a part of American culture. Gospel music, for example, has defined black identity for generations and continues to do so. "Black gospel music is one of the new seminal genres of contemporary black culture which continually maintains its self-identity while it nourishes and enriches the mainstream of the world's cultural sources" (William-Jones 373). Black gospel music, a combination of West African and Afro-American music, dance, poetry and drama, includes contemporary black religious music of rural folk origins that celebrates the Christian experience of salvation and hope (William-Jones 376). For much of its 50 years as an underground form of music, gospel still remains among the least known or understood of many black cultural expressions today."

Tags:rap, music, African-American, culture, gospel, music, black, music