Music and It’s Importance in Our Lives Chapter 1 Music and It’s Importance in Our Lives

Objectives At the end of this chapter you will: Understand how the variety of music in America reflects the diverse people. Become familiar with many different styles of music Begin to identify a wider range of musical styles Learn how to describe and compare contrasting musical compositions.

Music in Our Culture: Music is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Has the power to command our attention and inspire us. Helps us express who and what we are as human beings. There are as many different types of music in the U.S. as there are many different types of people. What does your favorite type of music say about you?

Who We Are: Americans: Culturally diverse group of people. Culture- Customs, ideas, tastes, and beliefs acquired from a person’s background. Sharing our culture is important. One way we do this is through the arts. Music is varied, like the cultures that create it. Classical musicians and artists looked back to Ancient Greece for inspiration for much of their work.

Affinity for Music All people have created music. Humans have a natural tendency for making sounds and responding to them. The amount of time you spend listening to music indicates how much you enjoy it. If you enjoy it, then it is speaking to you.

Perceptive Listening It is possible to distinguish between classical music and jazz because perceptive listening allows us to describe several aspects of music styles so that we can accurately describe the difference between genres. To develop the capacity to listen perceptively, you must analyze what you hear; you need to perceive the internal and external characteristics of the work and develop the ability to describe them.

Preference of Musical Styles The kind of music you prefer tells something about who you are and what you know. Your likes and dislikes express your personal taste. Musical preference often reflects your lifestyle. If we narrow our vision, we will only see what is in front of us. Nothing more. Music must be learned, like all other forms of communication. By paying attention to music, you can further your ability to respond to it and understand it.

Expanding Musical Tastes Different music serves different purposes, different moods, and different human needs. Different music has different characteristics- different styles. Musical Style is best understood when the qualities of one piece of music are compared to another. Just as some of you learn to recognize different models and makes of cars, you can learn to distinguish between different styles of music and develop a vocabulary to define specific aspects.

Jazz and Classical Music Jazz was dance music Instrumental music with exuberant spirit and often improvised on the spot. Intended for small audiences. Most likely emerged from lively street parades and funeral processions in New Orleans, LA, in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.

Characteristics of Jazz Exuberant spirit Improvisation Simple melodies Heartfelt feelings Dancelike rhythms Rhythmic

Classical Music Classical has two meanings: A. Style of “art” music… B. Specifically, European music of the Classical period. (1725-1810) By composers such as Franz Joseph Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Musicians and artists of the Classical period were inspired by the simple, stately, uncluttered, classical architecture of ancient Greece. People were searching for a sense of order in a very dangerous and confusing time. Classical music was a more trim, clear music.

Homophonic style projected a sense of aristocratic elegance. Moods changed freely and composers used dramatic changes such as soft and loud, fast and slow, and high and low to make dramatic changes in music. Classical composers explored new instrumental combinations with the concerto.(in vocab list)

Internal Characteristics of Music Means, expression and order Means refers to the source of the sound Expression refers to the feeling Order refers to the organization or form

External Characteristics of Music Origin and Use Origin refers to the where, when and by whom the music was created. Use refers to the function or purpose of the music.

Vocabulary 1.Homophony- A single melody with chordal accompaniment. 2. Perceptive Listening- The ability to discern musical characteristics and describe them. 3. culture- Customs, ideas, tastes, and beliefs acquired from a person’s background. 4. Classical music- A style of “art” music, as distinguished from popular music. 5. jazz- A popular style of music that developed in America during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. 6. Musical Style- The distinct manner or character of musical expression. 7. Concerto- A composition usually written in three lengthy sections or movements featuring interplay between one or more soloists and an orchestra.