Music is a universal language that has been used to communicate different feelings and emotions since the start of time. Music as we know it now consists of instruments, vocals, layering, engineering and mastering. But in a time where technology did not exist and instruments were not invented yet, humans still found a way to put sounds together using repetitive patterns with just hands and sticks. Clapping and hitting sticks together to create a rhythm that would make people feel things inside from joy and dance to weeping sadness. As time passed, different areas of the world would have a unique way of communicating their own sounds, creating music that represents their culture.
I chose the following pieces based on the diversity in culture, emotions translated, and the time in which they were created. These were the songs that brought out the strongest feeling for me.
Morning Star and Devil Bird – Australia
Morning Star and Devil Bird shows the strong connection between music and nature in Aboriginal culture. The sounds of the instruments and voices feel calm and spiritual, like they’re telling a story about the land. Even without knowing the language, you can feel the emotion and meaning. It shows how music can share culture and feelings with anyone, anywhere.
Sacrificial Dance – Stravinsky
The combination of wind instruments such as flutes, trumpets, horns, and tubas mixed with crashing percussions bring out a very strong feeling of terror and anxiety. There are a lot of silent spots followed by fast, high pitched notes that create a very unique sound. With no vocals, this type of score would likely bring out the same emotions around the entire world, no matter where or when you were born.
Tchenhoukoumen – Percussion, Senegal
I chose this piece because of its strong rhythm and cultural energy. The layered drumming patterns create a powerful, fast-paced sound that feels alive and joyful. With no vocals, the beats themselves tell a story that anyone can feel, no matter where they’re from. It represents how rhythm can connect people and express emotion across cultures.
Melancholy Blues – L Armstrong&HisHotSeven
This jazz song has a very smooth, relaxing sound. With a slower pace and much less instruments, this song sounds like a calm night. It brings out the opposite feeling as the last song. The lone trumpet captures strong feelings of the soul, and could be both happy and sad.
Mozart – Queen of The Night- Eda Moser
This song focuses on the powerful high pitched vocals. This song isn’t meant to dance to. Instead it is meant to stay still and enjoy in a group or by yourself. The instruments are similar to the first two pieces, but has a very unique, rich sound.
Fairie Round – David Munroe
This song is very melodic and happy. Like birds chirping on a sunny morning, this song makes you feel like you’re flying. It is short and sweet, and the mixture of sounds all bring a positive vibe.
Johnny B. Goode Chuck Berry
This song tells the story of a boy from Louisiana who couldn’t read or write, but rises to fame being a talented guitarist. This is the birth of Rock and Roll and brings out a true feeling of having fun. The mix of drums and electric guitar along with the fun lyrics represents a new era and makes for a great party. This song is a personal favourite and reminds me of the movie Back to the Future.
Cranes in their nest – Japan (Shakuhachi)
This Japanese piece captures the feeling of nature. The solo flute and the echos bring a somber feeling of night time. It is a great representation of the very early days of Japan which introduce new fingering and breathing techniques.
El Cascabel-Lorenzo Barcelata&the Mari
The plucking of the strings in this orchestra mixed with the Spanish vocals has a very romantic feel that you can dance to. The layering of male and female vocals is complimentary. The fast pace makes it feel like the climax to a love story.
Dark Was The night – Blind Willie Johnson
Soft and wordless, this song captures loneliness and peace all at once. The humming and moaning express emotion more powerfully than words ever could which I feel is a quiet reminder of the soul in every sound.
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