More than a simple analysis..

In the Music and Culture by Anna Tomasino, Aaron Copland writes in “The Imaginative Mind and the Role of Listener” about talented listening. There is a strong connection between talented listening and analyzing music, both of which are vital to receiving the maximum mutuality with music. Analyzing music is an amazing method in which one could understand and relate with the song. Analysis of songs is relevant with Margaret Wolfe Hungerford’s commonly quoted phrase: the beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Every song has its own significance to each individual, and whether minor or major analysis is done on the song, every individual is capable of conjuring their own thoughts on it, and recall different memories.

The firm belief that analysis creates a mutual bond with music allows individuals to gain more than one would have originally received from it. Analysis of music does not detract from the experience- it does quite the opposite and enhances it. There are meanings behind songs that one would not realize without an analysis, and this is a common occurrence because of many uses of sublimity in the current generation of music. Without taking time to apply and understand a piece, without attempted to be Copland’s “talented listener,” it is difficult to extract the true meaning behind a song. Music holds both the original artist’s and the individual’s own interpretation of significance- again referring to the eye of the beholder.

The action and attempt to further understand music is never a wasted effort, especially at our current generation where music is held in the highest forms of expression and form of communication amongst one another. In Music and Culture, Allan Bloom states in “Music” that “nothing is more singular about this generation than its addiction to music.” Bloom supports his claims through the exemplification of the passion from Wagner’s operas. He states that people “had a religious sense that Wagner was creating the meaning of life and that they were not merely listening to his works but experiencing that meaning.” This is a powerful statement that many youths of this generation completely agree upon. It is common for a first year university or college student to be found lacking funds for textbooks, but never for music.

Bloom also states his concern that this effect may have based on the fact that students have a higher interest in music. He expresses concern that the “issue here is its effect on education, and I believe it ruins the imagination of young people.” On the contrary, analysis of music allows for a broader and more creative outlook on situations for many youth found today. A student figuring out the correlation of a particular song with his or her life allows for a deeper understanding on their perspective on life. The ability to analyze music doesn’t come instantly, it takes practice and time. This is an important factor in education as well; students who are able to work creatively can think of other ideas and make relevant, personal examples in their work, when appropriate.

Analysis in music is ultimately a key factor in gaining a mutual relationship with music, and a deeper appreciation of its significance to you about yourself and its author. This should not be neglected, and should be used to gain the maximum potential out of music. 

Genres, Genres...

The past holds memories on which many individuals love to sit back and recall, for nostalgia’s sake. Music is one of the best methods to retrieve memories that we may have once lost. Although it may only be based on the sense of hearing, music allows one to accompany the sound with the other sense to allow us to remember what one had felt or seen in particular moments. This is a powerful impact through music in which it lets humans almost seemingly go back in time.

I’ve had a long journey with music, as I had explored nearly all genres in search of what I had favored. As a child, my mother had been a piano instructor for a part-time job, so I had grown up listening to many ballads and waltz type music. Classic music had also been frequented around the house. I didn’t really object to it, I suppose I didn’t mind. It’d be a lie to say I haven’t been influenced by friends at all, because there were moments in my life in which friends had impacted me in extreme ways. As I entered junior high school, many students laughed at the fact that I listened to classic music and not rock or alternative. Like any other child put into that situation, I began quickly researching for preferable music in genres that my friends liked. So for several years, I had dropped interest in classic music so that I could fit in with my groups. Although not healthy, it was absolutely normal to want to be accepted in school with friends.

Another particular example I can remember is in my sophomore year of high school: a friend of mine from junior high school expressed interest in a genre called eurodance, which consists of mainly a mix of house, techno, dance, and trance type genres. Initially, I thought nothing of it at first, but I soon came to appreciate it and even thought of it once as my favorite type of music. As a member of online gaming communities growing up, I found many other individuals had also liked this type of music. It was easy to network and find many other individuals who showed appreciation for this genre of music.

During these times, I had taken many looks at other genres, just to scope out if I had been missing out on anything. Country, alternative, R&B, hip-hop, rap, rock, metal, all of these I didn’t share a particular interest in; they just didn’t appeal to me as interesting forms of music. I never took an appeal to music with lyrics, the sound of the beats were all that I needed. With this realization in mind, I continued to share an interest in the more modern forms of techno, electronica, trance, dance, and house type of genres.

I thought I had finally settled with that particular genre, but then as I continued to scout out for more and more music, I came across many individuals who had posted videos of themselves playing short bits of music found in games on the piano. Knowing that I had played a bit of the piano as a child, this sparked a bit of interest so I began looking into it more and more… and soon I realized I was constantly searching for music found in games and thinking of ways as to how I could play them on the piano.

This concluded my search for my own favorite genre of music; I had found that I loved music particularly found in games and movies, original soundtracks. What made it all the more better was the ability to play these songs with consistent practice. Knowing I had the ability to play songs that I listened to was one of the greatest achievements of my life, even though I admit that I am far from a professional level. Aside from providing me with a new hobby and a realization of my newest favorite genre, this interest allowed me to be more insightful of the music around me, as I am now constantly listening for things to play. Being able to bring music into the world with your own hands is definitely a feeling that everyone should enjoy at some point in their life, and it all begins with finding what an individual likes most for themselves, not following what their friends like.

Measures Taken, Measures Achieved..

Music is everywhere. A life without music is comparable to not having lived at all.

There is a powerful impact which comes from music, whether the individual appreciates it or not. Deep within the mind, people remember the sounds they hear. Through the music, memories that were once long forgotten resurface, an essence of nostalgia can be attained, and a deeper appreciation of what has become can be seen.

The piano has been a lifelong friend of mine which I had foolishly neglected time and time again. As a child, my mother had enforced multiple piano instructors onto me, all of which had ended with my constant complaints and refusal to practice. Although it was fun pressing random keys here and there, I quickly dismissed it as nothing more than a waste of time, because nothing is more  important than... video games! Oh joy, I played hours of video games without a care in the world, thinking that this had to be one of the best things out there. Slowly, as I grew older, this was not the case...

There had been many dire situations where I had to endure many long hours of undesired work. Homework, washing dishes, vacuuming, sweeping, filing, house-painting, organizing, all of it! All completed in silence...

Some may argue that they may be fond of the way papers rustle, the way birds chipper outdoors, the sound of water running, and the way the vacuum cleaner blasts into a series of over-the-top whirring explosions. However, sounds without melody is not preferred amongst many individuals. Had I shown an appreciation in music earlier as a child, what I referred to as, "dire situations," may very well have wound up as an entirely different matter.

I quickly began looking into the many genres of music upon this realization, and it begun in the summer of my junior year in high school. Taking time out of my usual routine to try music that others listen to, I frequented YouTube. After months of figuring out what I thought was best, I stuck with it for a while then realized, this isn't what I really like. Then, as I began to follow my routine of playing more games, it struck me! Video games had held an extremely large amount of short bits which I found I appreciated. The music was easy to follow and kept the mood lively, very much like background noise that one would expect in their everyday lives. "With music like this, menial tasks would not be so painful!" I figured.

On this discovery for myself, I started to YouTube videos for the music found in video games without the extra sound effects. Sure enough, I found that many individuals had posted videos and tutorials for these songs- on piano. Almost as if to spite me, I looked over at the piano, and thought, "This pianist could have been me."

I spent a deal of time griping about my regrets, but shortly after, I joined multiple communities across the internet which dealt with the transcription of music found in games and movies into instrumentals. Not all composers release their music scores, and as such, many gifted individuals come together and help each other out to write sheets on these particular forums. I found interests amongst these groups and found out more and more about what I liked, rather than following whatever everyone else liked. I immediately began to pick up the instructional piano books again, and started to print transcriptions by fans all over the internet. I may have lost time but I have found what I had a strong interest in, and I have been able to take what I loved as a child into consideration of what I appreciate now.

Music is and will continue to be an aspect which deeply impacts me; I couldn't live a day without it. I take into consideration everything I hear wherever I go, and listen for key notes. In hopes that I may be able to play what I like whenever I want to, I continue to listen to everything around me and appreciate the melody. It wasn't easy to attain my own understanding of music and I'm still fairly inexperienced with the piano, however... measures must be taken for more achievements!