Music is something that surrounds us on a daily basis. Whether you’re shopping in a store, listening to the radio in your car or when you’re on the platform waiting for the train, music is there. According to wikiepdia.com the definition of music is “expressed in terms of pitch, rhythm and the quality of sound. Music can also involve generative forms in time through the construction of patterns and combinations of natural stimuli principally sound.” In a way I would have to agree with this definition of what music is, but there is more to it than just pitch, rhythm and sound. Music plays such a huge role in our lives that it’s actually a subject that some schools teach.
So if music is such a big part of our lives then why are schools trying to take away funding from the arts and putting it into things that are more traditional like math and reading. I obviously don’t agree with what they are doing. “Music in the Classroom: Its Influence on Children's Brain Development, Academic Performance, and Practical Life Skills.”, this is an article that I found when I was researching the topic of music. The article basically said that children who are exposed to music, their abilities to perform better academically are enhanced. It also said that by learning about music and training with music can teach you life skills. This research shows that music can help students get better grades and basically become a well rounded person. Then why don’t schools spend more times on the arts. I guess more people think that teaching their students or children more about math, English or even history will get them further in life than some instrument will.
Liberal arts is usually one of the first things that is being cut from federal funding for schools because most of these politicians fell that these programs are taking time away from what is more “important” like math, reading and science. The way I feel about is that we spend most of our lives with our heads in our books just studying world history and trying to memorize the multiplication tables. Learning about music is something completely different because it’s opening up your mind to something completely different. With music it’s more hands on than any other subject, it’s a subject that allows a person to be very creative and become more dedicated. Another thing is that by starting to teach music at schools and then taking away the funding where does that leave the students that would like to pursue that instrument. The only option that is left for them is to go study at a private institution, which in most cases are very expensive.
I decided to make a little survey and give it out to some of the people that I work with and some family members to see how they feel about funding being cut. I decided to only survey ten people because I figured it would be easier. The age range for this survey ranged from sixteen to twenty-six. One out of the ten people played an instrument in school. One of these people is my cousin Natalia; she is twenty-six and has been playing the piano for twenty years. She played the piano all through high school and she majored in piano for her college degree. When I asked her how she felt about funding being cut from liberal arts programs, she said that it devastated her to know that a lot of kids won’t get the chance to learn to love an instrument like she did growing up in school. She feels that playing this instrument and learning all about it gave her a sense of pride because she got to learn something that was completely unknown to her and she got to master it. Another thing that she said was that she gained a lot of life lessons from learning to play the piano. One thing she learned was to apply herself and that if she wanted to great at something she was going to have practice, practice, and practice. Another thing that she learned was confidence, and being able to think outside that box when she was told to write her own song.
Out of the survey that was basically the only insightful thing that I got because the other people that took the survey none of them played an instrument. But they all end up saying basically the same thing about music and how funding for it shouldn’t be removed. I absolutely agree with what they think. All types of liberal arts programs shouldn’t be looked down upon as not being as important as the other subjects. I feel that music can teach a person so many different things that something math or science is going to teach you. Learn about music opens up your eyes and your mind.
I think that more people need to open up their ears and just take time and just listen to their surrounds because music is always surrounds us. It’s unfortunate that most governors can’t see how important just playing an instruments or singing in the schools choir is to the development of a child or even a human being. Just imagine if one hundreds years ago governors or presidents saying to stop the teaching of music. We won’t have the amazing signers, composers, violinist, pianists and many other artists. Life would be extremely boring and dull. I feel that if these people keep cut the funding for the arts then the future of music is history.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Monday, February 19, 2007
Music
Music is something that surrounds us on a daily basis. Whether you’re shopping in a store, listen to the radio in your car or when you’re on the platform waiting for the train, music is there. According to wikiepdia.com the definition of music “is expressed in terms of pitch, rhythm and the quality of sound. Music can also involve generative forms in time through the construction of patterns and combinations of natural stimuli, principally sound.”. In a way I would have to agree with this definition of what music is, but there is more to it than just pitch, rhythm and sound.
To me music portrays my everyday life. One of the things that make me connect most with music besides the rhythm and beats are the lyrics. When I listen to music I don’t hear the beat I hear the lyrics. In some way or another I feel like music is like therapy. When you’re sad, happy, angry, in love, there’s always a song that speaks directly to what you are feeling. There have been times that I have been so upset and I just listen to a song and I start to ball like a baby because the song is talking exactly on how I am feeling. That’s definitely my favorite thing about music. It’s so diversify, that it expresses any mood. Sometimes it’s weird because you like this artist was probably feeling the same way I am feeling when they wrote the song and that’s an amazing way to connect with the artist because at least you feel like you have something in common with someone that is famous. One good example of this is sometimes when I’m at work during my break, I always with other coworkers and most of the time I’ll one of my earphones on from my ipod and the other one off so I can talk to them. But they will always ask me what I’m listening to and when I tell them, they are always given me feedback on what they think of the song, or artist. So basically music surrounds us even when are not even listening to it.
But when I talk about music I’m not just talking about what’s hot on the radio, I’m also talking about music from other countries, music people play like the piano or the violin and many more. Music has an extremely long history and throughout this long history different types of genres and different cultures have evolved their own music. There have been six major musical periods: medieval, renaissance, baroque, classical, romantic and now the 20th century music era and each of these different types of era’s have influence each other in one way or another. The 20th century era is the one that plays more of a role in our lives because it’s basically in the era that we are in. But that doesn’t mean that the other eras aren’t incorporated into the music that we listen to today. I know many artists that have made songs using beats or melodies from other periods to make their song sound more unique. One good example is that I know this song that the melody in the beginning is something that Beveenthoeven composed. I guess you can say it’s weird to mix rap with classical music but that’s what makes it interesting and appealing to many listeners.
So if music is such a big part of our lives then why are schools trying to take away funding from the arts and putting it into things that are more traditional like math and reading. I obviously don’t agree with what they are doing. “Music in the Classroom: Its Influence on Children's Brain Development, Academic Performance, and Practical Life Skills.”, this is an article that I found when I was researching the topic of music. The article basically said that children who are exposed to music, their abilities to perform better academically are enhanced. It also said that by learning about music and training with music can teach you life skills. This research shows that music can help students get better grades and basically become a well rounded person. Then why don’t schools spend more times on the arts. I guess more people think that teaching their students or children more about math, English or even history that, that will get them further in life than some instrument will.
I think that more people need to open up their ears and just take time and just listen to their surrounds because music is always surrounds us. It’s unfortunate that most governors can’t see how important just playing an instruments or singing in the schools choir is to the development of a child or even a human being. Just imagine if one hundreds years ago governors or presidents saying to stop the teaching of music. We won’t have the amazing signers, composers, violinist, pianists and many other artists. Life would be extremely boring and dull. I feel that if these people keep cut the funding for the arts the future for music is looking pretty bad.
To me music portrays my everyday life. One of the things that make me connect most with music besides the rhythm and beats are the lyrics. When I listen to music I don’t hear the beat I hear the lyrics. In some way or another I feel like music is like therapy. When you’re sad, happy, angry, in love, there’s always a song that speaks directly to what you are feeling. There have been times that I have been so upset and I just listen to a song and I start to ball like a baby because the song is talking exactly on how I am feeling. That’s definitely my favorite thing about music. It’s so diversify, that it expresses any mood. Sometimes it’s weird because you like this artist was probably feeling the same way I am feeling when they wrote the song and that’s an amazing way to connect with the artist because at least you feel like you have something in common with someone that is famous. One good example of this is sometimes when I’m at work during my break, I always with other coworkers and most of the time I’ll one of my earphones on from my ipod and the other one off so I can talk to them. But they will always ask me what I’m listening to and when I tell them, they are always given me feedback on what they think of the song, or artist. So basically music surrounds us even when are not even listening to it.
But when I talk about music I’m not just talking about what’s hot on the radio, I’m also talking about music from other countries, music people play like the piano or the violin and many more. Music has an extremely long history and throughout this long history different types of genres and different cultures have evolved their own music. There have been six major musical periods: medieval, renaissance, baroque, classical, romantic and now the 20th century music era and each of these different types of era’s have influence each other in one way or another. The 20th century era is the one that plays more of a role in our lives because it’s basically in the era that we are in. But that doesn’t mean that the other eras aren’t incorporated into the music that we listen to today. I know many artists that have made songs using beats or melodies from other periods to make their song sound more unique. One good example is that I know this song that the melody in the beginning is something that Beveenthoeven composed. I guess you can say it’s weird to mix rap with classical music but that’s what makes it interesting and appealing to many listeners.
So if music is such a big part of our lives then why are schools trying to take away funding from the arts and putting it into things that are more traditional like math and reading. I obviously don’t agree with what they are doing. “Music in the Classroom: Its Influence on Children's Brain Development, Academic Performance, and Practical Life Skills.”, this is an article that I found when I was researching the topic of music. The article basically said that children who are exposed to music, their abilities to perform better academically are enhanced. It also said that by learning about music and training with music can teach you life skills. This research shows that music can help students get better grades and basically become a well rounded person. Then why don’t schools spend more times on the arts. I guess more people think that teaching their students or children more about math, English or even history that, that will get them further in life than some instrument will.
I think that more people need to open up their ears and just take time and just listen to their surrounds because music is always surrounds us. It’s unfortunate that most governors can’t see how important just playing an instruments or singing in the schools choir is to the development of a child or even a human being. Just imagine if one hundreds years ago governors or presidents saying to stop the teaching of music. We won’t have the amazing signers, composers, violinist, pianists and many other artists. Life would be extremely boring and dull. I feel that if these people keep cut the funding for the arts the future for music is looking pretty bad.
Music
The Influence of Music
A new study shows that music with a slow or meditative tempo can relax people by slowing their breathing and heart rate, while listening to faster tempo music speeds up respiration and heart rate. This adds to the research that shows music tempo affects blood pressure, breathing rate and other key factors. Other research has found that music can alleviate stress, improve athletic performance, improve movement patterns post-stroke.
about.com
A new study shows that music with a slow or meditative tempo can relax people by slowing their breathing and heart rate, while listening to faster tempo music speeds up respiration and heart rate. This adds to the research that shows music tempo affects blood pressure, breathing rate and other key factors. Other research has found that music can alleviate stress, improve athletic performance, improve movement patterns post-stroke.
about.com
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Thinking
Today in class i started to think about assignments that the groups were coming up with and I actually came up with one:
Write a letter to your younger self, guide them on things to do, how you would do things differently, what would you do the same?
Monday, February 12, 2007
Music on my MInd!
So while I was doing the homework/ group assignment that you gave us. And I commented on Brain’s journal entry on music, so I felt inspired to write about especially since the Grammy’s were last night. First of all I love music! I basically carry my ipod everywhere I go. I honestly can’t live with out it. This obviously shows much of role music plays in my life. I love everything about the beats, lyrics and the artists that sing them. I feel that music depicts everything in my life. In some way or another I feel like music is like therapy. When you’re sad, happy, angry, in love, there’s always a song that speaks directly to what you are feeling. There have been times that I have been so upset and I just listen to a song and I start to ball like a baby because the song is talking exactly on how I am feeling. That’s definitely my favorite thing about music. It’s so diversify, that it expresses any mood. I also think that by looking through someone’s ipod or mp3 player you could definitely learn a lot about that person.
Sometimes I feel that people care more about what the beat is and who sings it than what the words are saying. In a lot of ways I used to be like that, I used to just put songs on my ipod that everyone used to listen to or what is hot on the radio. But now it’s different, now I listen to the lyrics first and then the beat. In a way I feel that people now a day's concentrate more on the lives of these artists more than their music. As I watched, Mary J. Blige and Christina Aguilera, performances at the Grammy’s., it hit me how hard these artists work. They put sweat, tears and long hours just to make one song. Watching the Grammy’s it made me kind of sad because they have this Grammy foundation, which is basically to save music. This is so sad that schools would actually take something that plays a huge role in everyone’s life away.
Sometimes I feel that people care more about what the beat is and who sings it than what the words are saying. In a lot of ways I used to be like that, I used to just put songs on my ipod that everyone used to listen to or what is hot on the radio. But now it’s different, now I listen to the lyrics first and then the beat. In a way I feel that people now a day's concentrate more on the lives of these artists more than their music. As I watched, Mary J. Blige and Christina Aguilera, performances at the Grammy’s., it hit me how hard these artists work. They put sweat, tears and long hours just to make one song. Watching the Grammy’s it made me kind of sad because they have this Grammy foundation, which is basically to save music. This is so sad that schools would actually take something that plays a huge role in everyone’s life away.
Lovee, Relationships, Valentine's Day??
ok soo most of the blogs that i have read so far have been the most part been about love. And I guess because Valentine's Day is like right around the corner it's basically on everybodies mind. Personaly I think that if you have a Valentine then great you get to go out and have fun with your date. You may get flowers, chocolates or even cute teddy bears. Then obivously your going to love valentine's day. But what about the people who don't have valentine's on valentine's day. In a way we are left out in the cold. But I think that people without Valetine's shouldn't feel sad, depressed, or even hate the holiday, just be your own valentine. I know it may sound wierd and everything but you spend that day mourning over something you don't have and do something for yourself. Treat yourself to a new handbag, buy yoursel flowes or candy. Yea I would love to have Valentine, i obivously don't have one yet, but if I don't get one that's ok. I have basically learned to deal t it. And plus or all of those who are in a relationship, I don't think that there should just be one day where you show your love of each other. Guys worry so much on valentine's day on they have to get their girlfreiend's flowers and how expensive they are, but I think that if that's that one day you give your girlfriend flowers then theres a problem there.
So my point basically is if you have a Valentine they congrats and if you don't then congrats to you to because you don't need one. Just love yourself and have fun!
So my point basically is if you have a Valentine they congrats and if you don't then congrats to you to because you don't need one. Just love yourself and have fun!
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Thoughts on a Quote
The quote that i put up on my common place book is a quote that I really like alot. It's been one of my favorite quotes every since the movie Hitch came out. For some reason I can relate to it. I honestly think that what the quote saids is true. WE obivously do need to breathe to be able to live but i think that we should live life to the fullest and be happy with the moments that take your breathe away. Because I feel that if we don't take the time to stop and just appericate what we have, it's just go to fly past us and we don't even realize what has happened.
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
random quote
"Life isn't about the amount of breathes you take, its about the moments that take your breathe away."
Thursday, February 1, 2007
So today has been like an never ending day. Today i went to school at 12 which means that i got to sleep in pretty late. First i had DNY which sometimes seems like a never engding class because a class that is suppose to be fun my professor makes it extremely boringg!! Then i had theology which i actually like that class alot. Then it was history and then I got to go home at 3:30. But then i basically had to rush home get changed eat something and like run to work because i started at 5. Then at work people are really wierd. I don't understand why they had to make my job more difficult than it already is. Like some guy made a return of $700 and he didn't want the check that you are suppose to get he wanted the money right away. Then finally at 11 i got to home and do my homework, which is something i really want to do at 11 at night. That's basically how my day, oo i almost forgot i completely lost me voice all day at work and my fellow co-workers were making fun of me which was definately not cool.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
