Music Module Project

The song I chose to focus on for this module project is appropriately entitled "Eternal Dawn". This piece was carefully selected from the first Contra album which is named "The Epic...". This first album was released in 2010, and the band is currently working on their second. As a whole, Contra can best be described as an instrumental progressive rock band based out of Annapolis, Maryland. There is no singer, and this is one aspect of the band that makes them really stand out. I have seen the band live countless times. Each concert is a new experience. The group reaches a wide variety of listeners, young and old. Their music is diverse and varied. Fans keep coming back for the unique sounds and the wildly entertaining stage presence this band creates. 

The original sound the band showcases in their work serves to tell an interesting story. That is the main goal of their songs. Each song unfolds and progresses to create a tale. The band uses various guitar arpeggios, along with intense bass to generate their sound. Stimulating percussion and active accompaniment among members is evident on stage. This band's sound enthralls listeners as it takes you into their world. Through their work, Contra allows the audience to envision their own diverse worlds within the realm of song. For the purpose of this assignment I have analyzed "Eternal Dawn" to the best of my ability. The song is very lengthy, but in order to be specific I kept my analysis concise. I also conducted a brief interview with the band via Skype. I did this in order to gain greater insight for my module work. 

Enjoy the experience that is Contra!

Thoughts on Music (Part II)

The readings for this week led me to make more specific connections to language arts and music. Both are forms of art which incorporate writing. I appreciate the comparisons in the "Music and the Imagination" introduction piece. The words used created a very stark contrast for me. In his work, Copland references an expert who is well versed in the field. Auden states that "A verbal art like poetry is reflective; it stops to think". Yes, I feel that this is a true statement. I try to teach my students this point when we analyze lines and stanzas. In contrast, "Music is immediate; it goes on to become". Music and poetry are related. I emphasize this when I teach my poetry unit. I try and explain to my students that they can use what they know about lyrics and songs in order to provide a basis for their knowledge of poetry. A good musician is also a natural poet. Poetry requires imagination, just like the lyrics of a song. The difference is that song adds the element of instruments and voice to create a unique piece. How can I create a similar experience for my students? I often play music for them and let them feel the rhythm. I allow my students to move to the beat of the tune. We then work to identify rhyme and repetition in the lyrics. We analyze various songs using this process. It is a wonderful exercise which serves to expose students to the art of poetry through music.

Creativity and imagination go hand in hand within the classroom setting. This is why I agree with most of the points Copland makes. In both of his pieces I can find similarities among the professions. As a teacher who is under intense pressure for proficient and advanced test scores, the art of teaching is a flame that can be easily distinguished. I must be original in creating experiences that are more compelling for my class. Students are easily bored with the same dry texts and basic enrichment sheets. I need to think more in terms of their personal interests. I always feel the need to devise more meaning from my lessons. I strive for rich discussions and worthwhile activities in my language arts classroom. One example of something different that I have done in the past can be found above. With this said, I feel the "gifts" that are needed by a talented musician are also needed by an excellent teacher. Educators must be good listeners and be analytic. We must also work to compose our language in a way that reaches our whole audience, just like a musician does through song.   

Thoughts on Music (Part I)

Music has always been a passion of mine in one way or another. I dabbled in guitar and voice lessons all throughout middle and high school. College was filled with crowded concerts and loud outdoor music festivals. Each of these memories and experiences have followed me throughout the years to come. Like most, my favorite tunes have helped elevate my mood during rough times, gotten me through otherwise monotonous car rides, and more. I agree with the thought that music is an "emotional narrative". This point was referenced in "Over the Rainbow, From Kansas to Oz". The breakdown of that song was very interesting as it provided me with greater insight on the feelings. Yes, it also made me think and feel a different way about the song in general. Music is truly an art form that holds the great power to transform the ordinary to the extraordinary with a few simple notes.

 As this course continues on I began to see myself making abstract connections among these artists and teachers with a bit more ease. The readings for this week really aided in my overall understanding of how musicians think and work. "The Art of the Opening Notes" piece really did open my eyes as it allowed me to ponder many imaginative bridges. Listening to this discussion compelled me think about how an opening note can be a lot like the "engagement" portion of a lesson plan. In music, the piece needs to grab your attention from the beginning, while the teacher needs to attract the attention of the students from the very start. Without doing so, all hope might be lost! There are a few different ways to go about doing this within the classroom. The teacher can simply use his or her words, employ a variety of technological tools, or utilize other useful visuals. In comparison, the musician has a variety of tools that they can chose to selectively use to their advantage. 

Furthermore, in the discussion between Kapilow and Child it is noted that the "quiet and restrained" can be effective as well. Just as there are many approaches to an opening in a song, there are also many approaches to an opening of a lesson (or even in delivering a lesson in general). Once the appeal is there, it is noted that the artist has managed to "pull you into their world". Don't we wish to pull our students in as we strive to allow them to be part of our realm of thought? I know this is what I aim to do as I think of new ways to craft my lessons. Just as there is a relationship "between composer and audience", there is one present between educator and student. The student trusts the teacher to deliver the lesson in a way that fits their interests and varied needs. I could really continue writing more, but I will wrap up my thoughts as I close my entry for this week. In both professions, it is about the "kind of journey you want to take the audience on". I found this to be compelling in nature because I thought about my own work. I want my students to be as excited and enthusiastic as me. Music has the ability to create this type of experience within the audience, and so do we.

Two Minute Moment Project 2

I chose to focus on physical fitness for my second project. I feel that this is a topic that should be important for everyone to consider. For some individuals, time spent at the gym is less than compelling in nature. This does not always have to be the case. My rationale is that not every activity is created equal. Sticking to the same routine can become very dull and boring over even a short period time. This leads to a lack of motivation as you tend to stray away from the less than desirable experience. Some choices you can make at the gym are more intriguing than others. In order to demonstrate this, I went about comparing and contrasting two varying types of exercise scenarios. 

First, I want to discuss our less than compelling and typical fitness machines. We have the basic elliptical, the simple treadmill, and even the dreaded stair master. Each of these can be manipulated to provide the optimal workout session. You may even opt for a personal trainer. In order to do this, one must have a strong sense of self control and will to push themselves further. I can speak from personal experience when I say that this does not always work out for the best. At this point, you may become even more fatigued after another spiritless round at the gym. Just going through the motions can prove to be tedious. If you are a person who needs active engagement combined with a challenge, the options above may not be the best selections for you. What can turn a less than compelling workout session into something more powerful and often times irresistible?

In order to spice up your fitness regimen you might want to try taking a group class with an experienced instructor. Most gyms offer group classes and Zumba is one of the many options. Zumba is a captivating class that lends itself to some very compelling experiences in the studio. I was not granted permission to film my interview with an instructor, so as an alternative I created a video myself. For the purpose of this commentary, I will discuss some key points we touched on during our discussion. The instructor has an important role in creating the experience. Participants are not professionals by any means, and possess limited background knowledge related to the dances involved. Regardless of this, everyone can enjoy themselves and still have fun during the class. The instructor provides a concrete visual as the group works to mirror their actions with her unique steps. Each routine is simple enough for a beginner and easy to follow. If participants choose to, they can even push themselves to do the high impact moves if they wish to burn more calories. Furthermore, when one does not know how to do a particular move they can use their imagination and just keep their feet in step with the rhythm of the beat.

With the addition of these Zumba classes ordinary time spent working out can become something much more worthwhile. Participants feel invigorated and energized from each new routine taught by the instructor. The combined qualities of intensified movement to the beat and visuals from the instructor are vital to overall success of the group. The groove of the sound adds to the overall involvement of participants during each class session. The instructor takes an experience that is normally less than compelling in nature and through dance transforms it into something exciting for everyone involved.