Final Blog

Music has the true power to make you feel connected in the world. It is full of emotion. It adds spice and color to every aspect of life. Music servers many purposes and roles. It evokes emotions within us. It is a way for us to get along and be connected as humans. GOOD music makes everything better.

I wouldn’t say my relationship has changed much overall as a result of this course. I pay a little more attention to all the sounds and transitions in songs than I did before. I learned some vocabulary and terms for things I didn’t know names for before. This was a fun interactive class, a good way to connect with music!

 

“Your Woman”

Produced and performed by: White Town

13 January 1997

I like this song, it has a lot of emotion in the instrumental’s tone. It is sung in kind of a monotone range with it sounding like it is almost being sung through a phone. His voice is a very unique timbre, or made to sound that way. I really enjoy the range of the instruments of this song it is very catchy. This song makes me feel more connected emotionally in the beat rather than lyrics.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVL-zZnD3VU

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Your_Woman

Wikipedia. Your Woman. Date Published: November 26, 2017.

 

“OK”

Producer: Robin Schulz

Sung by: James Blunt

May 19, 2017

I love the timbre of James Blunt’s voice, it is angelic! With this electronic sounding song’s timbre, it is the perfect mix. He is able to get his range pretty high in this song. I love the instrumentals too they sound so beautiful. This song has a catchy, fast upbeat sound. There is a lot of building up between transitions. This song really makes me feel more connected with the idea that other people in the world sometimes have the same feelings I do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9-4xHVc7uk

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OK_(Robin_Schulz_song)

Wikipedia. OK (Robin Schulz song). Date Published: December 04, 2017.

Music Analysis

Rx (Medicate)

Theory Of A Deadman

Released: July 27, 2017

Written by: Tyler Connolly

Produced by: Martin Terefe

Country Of Origin: Delta, British Columbia, Canada

Theory Of A Deadman is a Canadian Rock band from Delta, British Columbia, Canada. They formed in 2001 and are currently signed to two different record labels. They are most known for their rock music, but also do some country and acoustic music. “The band has had a total of eight top 10 hits on the US Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, including three No. 1 hits, “Bad Girlfriend”, “Lowlife” and “Rx (Medicate)”.” The song Rx is about prescription drug addiction. “It was their lead single off of their sixth album Wake Up Call and topped the Billboard US Mainstream Rock Songs chart for three weeks in October 2017.”

The song Rx has been described as having more of a modern pop sound than the band’s usual hard rock sound. It is said to sound different than their usual sound because the lead singer started using a piano, which he says forced him to write music differently than he had previously done with the guitar. He didn’t want people to think that the band was abandoning rock music or that they were following any music trends. He says the new sound came naturally from writing on piano. The song has been described as an “atmospheric piece of acoustic pop-rock”.

Rx can be heard having a constant, moderately slow beat. Throughout most of the song it sounds as if Tyler is rapping rather than singing. The range of the singer’s voice is moderate but gets higher when he sings “why oh why” and when “medicate” is echoed throughout the song. When Tyler sings “had enough of it” is the highest his voice gets in the song. The highest range of the instruments is the whistling. The range of this song is moderate to moderately high. There are no very low sounds heard in this song. The dynamics of this song start out pretty high and light and build up to the chorus like a lot of rock songs do, sounding more hardcore then. It does get louder near the middle to end of the song and the chorus of this song gets a little heavier and louder but nothing too extreme. The pitch, beat and rhythm organized by the meter and scales all blend together to form an enticing melody I can appreciate! It has a good pattern of with repetition and contrast. The timbre of this song is different than their usual rock songs. Since Tyler tried something new using a piano rather than a guitar, it gives it a different sound I really like. To me, the timbre of his voice sounds like your typical Canadian rock band singer’s voice. If you have listened to this band before, you will probably recognize their voice, but it is not very distinct. The whistles heard in this song add to its uniqueness. Overall this is a great song! New and refreshing, not surprised it has topped the charts.

 

• “Rx (Medicate).” Wikipedia. November 28, 2017. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rx_(Medicate)
• “Theory of a Deadman | Biography & History.” All Music. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/theory-of-a-deadman-mn0000592161/biography
• “Theory of a Deadman.” Wikipedia. November 23, 2017. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_of_a_Deadman

How Far I’ll Go

Performed by  Auli’i Cravalho

Produced by Lin-Manuel Miranda

USA

Auli’i Cravalho is a Hawaiian, American actress. She performs How Far I’ll Go, sung by Moana in the Disney movie, Moana. Although it sounds like just another cute tune for kids to become obsessed with, it has a deeper meaning for the movie. The soundtrack for the movie was released on November 18, 2016, while the movie didn’t come out until a few days later on November 23, 2016. The song was written for the sole purpose of this movie, but it has also achieved awards and recognition separate from the movie. This song was nominated for “Best Original Song” at the Academy Awards and at the Golden Globe Awards.

Where younger audiences, such as my 3 year old daughter for example, are just obsessed with the song for the way it sounds. It actually plays a role and has meanings they are not likely to think about or realize while watching the movie. How Far I’ll Go gives major background on the main character and expresses how she really feels inside. In the song, Moana gives us insight to her thoughts, feelings, and struggles she keeps hidden. The song gives background information about Moana and starts to set the tone of her character and who she really is. Through listening to the song, you will learn about Moana’s feelings of being drawn to the ocean. She sings about how she can’t pretend to be someone she’s not and realizes everyone else on the island seems to be happy with their “role”. Even though she wants to make her parents proud, she is not interested in playing her role on the island. A voice inside her says it wants something else from life. Her dream is to travel far away to where the sky and sea meet, but she is forbidden to go past the reef. No matter how hard she tries to ignore it, Moana feels as though the ocean keeps calling her, she longs for the adventure.

Moana loves her home and her parents but she can’t stop fantasizing about getting out to explore.

I think the timbre of the singers voice is perfect for a disney song. It is a cute and catchy little melody. The range gets very high. It is fun watching my daughter try to sing along.

Here is a link to the music video from the movie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPAbx5kgCJo

https://www.bustle.com/articles/193162-the-how-far-ill-go-lyrics-from-disneys-moana-are-about-finding-strength-in-yourself
Bustle. ”The “How Far I’ll Go” Lyrics From Disney’s ‘Moana’ Are About Finding Strength In Yourself – VIDEO”

Date PublishedNovember 03, 2016

Date AccessedNovember 16, 2017

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_Far_I%27ll_Go

Wikipedia. “How Far I’ll Go”

Date PublishedNovember 10, 2017

Date AccessedNovember 16, 2017

Britney Spears Biography

Britney Spears is known most famously as an American musician. She also serves the role of providing entertainment with dancing and acting. She is known worldwide and has even been nicknamed “The Princess Of Pop”. Britney grew up with a love for performing and singing. When she was 8, she auditioned for the Mickey Mouse Club, but was rejected being told she was too young. When she was 10 she achieved her childhood dream of performing on “Star Search”. Trying again for the Mickey Mouse Club when she was 11, and this time she made it. Britney signed with Jive Records in 1997. Making her first album “…Baby One More Time” in 1999 and “Oops!… I Did It Again” in 2000, which broke international sales records. Since Britney started releasing albums, she has been awarded countless achievements and honors. Here are some of Britney’s most impressive achievements:
Six out of her first seven albums reached #1 on the ‘Billboard’ 200
Sold over 150 million records worldwide
Best selling female artist of the 2000s
Highest paid female musician in 2012 with earnings of $58 million
Named best-selling teenage artist of all time.
Named sexiest woman in music 2012
Grammy awards
MTV music video awards
Lifetime achievement award
Billboard music awards
A star on Hollywood Walk Of Fame

All of Britney’s achievements have made her a pop icon and music legend!

People have different talents. Someone who is an amazing writer could be a terrible singer, but still want to show off their talent. The same goes for the other way. Someone could have an amazing singing voice but have absolutely no song writing skill. They want the music to be interpreted as beautifully as possible, so they find the person that is able to do that. Kind of the same thing with movies, people who write the movies find actors to play their parts.

The majority of Britney’s popular hits can be heard with an upbeat sounding beat with a fast rhythm. I think the range and timbre of Britney’s voice is amazingly beautiful and different than any other singer. Her timbre is very distinct, energizing and upbeat. She has the perfect timbre for pop music. I noticed she brings her voice to be pretty low in a lot of her singing and of course alternates it with a higher ranges as well. She might not have been made for writing songs but she is very good at performing them. She is obviously a very talented singer and dancer!

“Oops I Did It Again”
Written by: Max Martin and Rami Yacoub
Released: March 27, 2000

 

“Circus”
Written by: Dr. Luke, Claude Kelly and Benny Blanco
Released: November 28, 2008
USA

 

 

IMDb
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005453/bio
Biography
Date AccessedNovember 10, 2017

Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britney_Spears
Britney Spears
Date PublishedNovember 08, 2017
Date AccessedNovember 10, 2017

The Evolution Of Eminem

The Evolution Of Eminem
October 13, 2017
Composer: Eminem
Country of Origin: America

Eminem, best known as an American rapper, is also a record producer, and actor. He was born as Marshall Bruce Mathers III in St. Joseph Missouri. Marshall spent much of his life being an outcast everywhere he went. His rough upbringing shaped him into who he is today. Constantly on the move, he finally ended up in Detroit, Michigan, where he started competing in rap battles. It was his uncle Ronnie who first introduced him to hip hop and he fell in love. At the time, rap music was almost entirely produced by people of color, so he stood out like a sore thumb with his white skin, and blonde hair with blue eyes. Despite his constant rejection and failures, he kept trying and following his rap dreams. In 1996 Eminem released his first independent album, Infinite. It was not much of a hit. A year later, he released another album, The Slim Shady EP, which fell into the hands of Dr. Dre. When Dre heard this album, he wanted to sign Eminem immediately. Eminem now has countless achievements and awards in the music industry and has become a rap icon and legend.

Not only has Eminem evolved as a person over time, but so has his music. From the things he has chosen to rap about, to his beats and his voice, Eminem and his music have greatly evolved over time. The timbre of Eminem’s voice has changed so much over the years. Starting his rap career, his voice was a higher pitch. His rhymes were more creative and wild when he was on drugs at the start of his music career. You can tell now he is more mature and has toned down the crazy within himself, he has grown up. His voice has progressively evolved to be deeper and lower over time. He does have a very distinct timbre I can always recognize his voice, no matter if its old Eminem or new. Being a product of Dre, he started using a lot of beats by Dre. Over the years Eminem has evolved and progressed to having his own rap identity, coming with his own sounds and beats. Eminem is very emotional with his music, you can tell what struggles he has been going through in each album you listen to, they are all very different. His music has changed when he has. He has always been able to put out music that is different but appeals to many people. If you don’t notice these very obvious changes, you will definitely notice when his music stops sounding like it was recorded in a basement and in an actual professional studio. Eminem has also evolved the hip hop industry. Being the first huge white rapper, changing the hip hop scene and sound, being an idol and paving the dream for other white rappers.

In my opinion, I greatly prefer Eminem of the early 2000s. I also really love the higher timbre of his voice in his very first albums before he was popular. I am not into mainstream music so I prefer his earlier more “underground” music. No matter the changes he goes through, I will always have love for Eminem.

Here is an example of very early Eminem, to mid Eminem, to most current Eminem, there are very obvious changes in his voice and beats.

 

 

Eminem biography.com. The Biography.com website. A&E Television Networks. June 5, 2017. https://www.biography.com/people/eminem-9542093 

Simon & Schuster, 2001.l Rolling Stone. http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/eminem/biography

Music Analysis #2

Actin’ Like You Know

Released in 2015

Composed by: Aaron Yates / Mackenzie O’Guin / Michael “Seven” Summers

Sung by: Mackenzie O’Guin feat. Tech N9ne

Country of Origin: America

Mackenzie Nicole O’Guin is the daughter of Travis O’Guin, who co-founded Strange Music with Tech N9ne. Strange Music specializes in hardcore rap. Mackenzie is a pop singer who grew up in Kansas City, Missouri and has become known by her work with Tech N9ne. She made her debut in 2015 with this song, “Actin’ Like You Know.” She has been featured in many Tech N9ne songs, some when she was only 11. Mackenzie says she use to hum songs before she could talk and that she has always loved music her whole life more than anything. Like many people, she likes to use music as an escape.

Mackenzie always sounds very angelic singing, I absolutely love her voice. Aside from this, I also love this song because of the beat, range, timbre, dynamics, and articulation. There is a constant, semi-fast beat to be heard in this song that is very appealing and edgy. As for range, this song is somewhat moderate. It does have some semi-low, deep instrumental sounds with a few higher sounding notes, but nothing too extreme. The vocals of this song get moderately high. With timbre, I think the angelic sound of Mackenzie’s voice has a really nice contrast with Tech N9ne’s. Her’s being much higher and a softer feminine sound pairs well with Tech N9ne’s distinct moderate to low voice. The instruments give off a darker tone color but her voice really lightens up the overall tone. The piano in the beginning gives off the feel that it’s going to be a light delicate song, but that quickly changes. The dynamics of the song start off pretty moderate but does builds up to hit lows and some soft highs. The instrumentals are lighter when her voice echoes and deeper when she is singing. The lowest and highest instrumentals are hit while Mackenzie is singing. The instruments are moderate and build up to the chorus, fluctuating between lows and moderate highs. There are drops of silence then the instruments start right back in. The instrumental stays very constant and moderate when Tech N9ne does his part. The song has a nice flow of moderate to low and slightly higher notes. As for articulation, there is some space in the notes in the beginning that are detached. The rest of the song flows more smoothly sounding more connected and somewhat slurred. I think the scale has a really smooth connection. The moderate sound with the lows and highs put smoothly together make this an interesting song to listen to, wondering what will come next.

Putra, Jeremy. “‘Strange Music Means Everything To Me’ : Mackenzie O’Guin Talks Working with Tech N9ne And Loving Strange Music.” Strange Music Inc. September 25, 2011. http://www.strangemusicinc.com/2011/09/strange-music/strange-music-means-me-mackenzie-oguin-talks-working-tech-n9ne-loving-strange-music/

Yeung, Neil Z. “Mackenzie Nicole.” All Music. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mackenzie-nicole-mn0003526515/biography

Music Analysis #1

Nothing Left
By Kygo
31 July 2015

I chose the song “Nothing Left” by Kygo with vocals by Will Heard. This is one of my favorite songs for the reasons that it gives me a good energy and makes me feel relaxed at the same time.

Kygo, originating from Norway, is a DJ, songwriter, record producer and a musician. He first started becoming famous for his remixes. Kygo is really big in Norway, reaching the tops of their charts, but he is becoming famous all over the world. He also does a lot of collaborations with other singers that have also became really big hits in America.

I enjoy listening to the beats of a song. I think it is really cool to see the base of how the song starts from nothing, and can be built up into forming a beautiful melody. The beat is what holds a song together. The beat in Nothing Left starts out pretty moderate. It slows down when there is more singing, and the chorus has a moderate beat that gets faster at times. I think overall it has a semi fast upbeat, catchy, and energizing pulse, which helps the rhythm to flow nicely and sound different than other songs.

Timbre is the descriptive quality of sound or tone color. I feel like this songs timbre sounds clear and bright. Having so much music made electronically these days changes the way you use to be able to hear timbre with instruments. The vocalist has a beautiful way of presenting the timbre in his voice.

There isn’t extreme changes of range within this song. The vocalist’s octave range fluctuates more, going a lot lower and higher than the instrument’s range. The instrument’s range is somewhat narrow with a semi low piano sounding instrument played throughout parts of the song. I feel like the range is overall pretty moderate, with little pops of lows and highs throughout. I think it gives a persuasive feeling that adds to the melody.

Kellman, Andy. “Kygo Biography & History”. All Music. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/kygo-mn0003314964/biography

Middleton, Ryan. “Kygo, Will Heard Share New Song “Nothing Left”. Music Times. August 2, 2015. http://www.musictimes.com/articles/44527/20150802/kygo-will-heard-share-new-song-nothing-left.htm

Hello!

Hi, my name is Karly. I was born and raised in Fairbanks, Alaska and am now living in North Pole. I love spending my free time outside in the winters and summers. I have a 2 and a half year old who keeps me very busy. I am working toward earning a bachelor degree in business administration.

I have always loved listening to music. It influences and inspires my life.I love many different types of music. I tend to like more “underground music rather than mainstream. My most favorite genres being hip hop, rock, country, classical and electronic. I use to play the piano which I enjoyed, but have always been interested in learning to play a different instrument like the drums or a violin. Even though I have never been, I do think I would enjoy going to a venue where music is being performed. I have only been to a couple of tech nine concerts. I don’t much enjoy large crowds but it is a fun experience to see live music you love.

Here is a work of art I find appealing. I love this piece because I absolutely love skulls and I collect them. Some of my favorite pieces is when the artist turns objects like trees or people into skulls.

 

 

Here is just a song and artist I love.

First blog post

This is your very first post. Click the Edit link to modify or delete it, or start a new post. If you like, use this post to tell readers why you started this blog and what you plan to do with it.