Abstract
This paper explains that zydeco music, a form of dance music, 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..."

Tags:syncopation, festival, chenier, accordion, cajun

Abstract
Zydeco is an important musical genre and the writer defines it as fun, upbeat dance music 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."

Tags:cajun, cerole, culture, louisiana

Abstract
The paper discusses the history of Zydeco and its roots in the Creole culture of Louisiana. The paper includes an interview with a Zydeco musician.

From the Paper
"Zydeco music is a traditional dance music of the black Creoles of southwest Louisiana. Its syncopated rhythms and spirited melodies are popular with audiences around the world. Zydeco musicians and groups are featured at international world music festivals and play to packed dance halls in their native Louisiana. Tracing the roots of Zydeco music, identifying some of its key practitioners and describing its impact upon the contemporary music scene, is the focus of this report. The report includes..."

Tags:Zydeco, Creoles

Abstract
This paper traces the origins of the Cajun people and culture and, in particular, their musical heritage. The paper describes the musical repertoire shared by both Cajuns and Creoles and looks at the Creole contribution of Zydeco towards Cajun music. The paper also describes the unique characteristics of Cajun music, typical instruments used for Cajun music, and its evolution and impact on Louisiana culture.

From the Paper
"A Cajun is a "Louisianian who descends from French-speaking Acadians," however many common Cajun surnames such as Souileau and Romero are not Acadian in origin, but are Spanish, German or French Creole and some are even of Anglo or Scotch-Irish origin, as in the case of famed Cajun musicians Lawrence Walker and Dennis McGee (Cajun 1 Pp). For this reason, "contemporary scholars of Cajun history and culture tend to offer a more complex, comprehensive view, attributing the traits of modern-day Cajuns to a dynamic, unending process of ethnic interaction" (Cajun 1 Pp). Modern Cajuns are largely homogenous, however, their ancestry consists of a mixture of numerous ethnic groups (Cajun 1 Pp). The majority of early Acadians originated in the Centre-Ouest region of France, while other came from families of Spanish, Irish, Scottish, English, Basque and American Indian (Cajun 1 Pp). When Acadians were forced out of Nova Scotia in 1755, many sought refuge in South Louisiana and again intermixed with other ethnic groups, especially with the French, Spanish, German, American Indian, and Anglo-American settlers (Cajun 1 Pp)."

Tags:african-caribbean, rhythms, blues, deep, south, swamp, pop, country, western, honky, tonk

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
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
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