The first thing I noticed about contra dancing was how inclusive everyone was. When we got there, the caller immediately brought us together and taught us some of the basic moves. While there were a lot of beginners, there were enough experienced dancers to pair up with us and help us get the hang of things. When the dancing started, my partner basically lead me through the whole thing which made me feel more at ease. As we made our way down the line, everyone was really nice and didn't look down on you if you messed up. I felt very included and comfortable. This event was different in that the quality of dancing didn't matter as much as the number of people participating--a characteristic of participatory music. Also, the group of dancers was very diverse. It was completely normal to pair up with a partner twice your age which wouldn't really happen at most public dances.
I think that I would attend this event again. I really appreciated everyone's kindness and inclusiveness. I am not so great at dancing but during some of the easier dances I was able to feel flow. I've experienced it on my own but I can't think of a time when I've had flow experiences with other people. It was a new experience but one that I would like to have again. Also, I don't really get many opportunities to dance for two hours straight and I really enjoyed this dance, so I think I would go to this event again.
Participatory music allows everyone to dance or make music, so it is non-hierarchical. This is great because it brings many people together and encourages diversity. Also, this type of music is especially good for forming communities and strengthening social bonds. Participatory music is most likely to cause people to experience flow, and when people play music together they sometimes experience communitas. This helps people to recognize their similarities and forget their differences which is good for group bonding.
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Monday, August 12, 2013
The Punks are Alright
The movie "The Punks are Alright"got me thinking about punk music in terms of how it can influence society, not just as a music genre. I was also surprised to see how active a role punk music plays in Brazil and Indonesia, mostly in the youth culture. In Brazil, the punk/DIY community actively challenges society and the older generation while providing a creative outlet and community for the youth. In the movie, Henrike shows how he, a punk rocker, helped form a school in Brazil to educate the youth and keep them off the streets. I definitely did not expect to see punk music, and punk youth specifically, having such an active, positive role in society. The documentary also changed my understanding of youth culture in Indonesia--prior to watching the movie I really did not know that much about Indonesian society. It was interesting to see the struggle that young Indonesians go through, having to find an identity amidst a changing society. Through globalization the country is becoming more westernized but the country still has a huge Muslim population, so the culture is kind of at a crossroads. Also, Indonesia suffers from a capitalist society and many people live in poverty and work long, hard hours. Punk music has helped the youth culture deal with living in that kind of society.
Because I live in America, I think it is easy to forget how globalized the world is and how interconnected our societies are. We are always the ones outsourcing jobs/companies so we are never the ones that have to deal with the negative effects. Seeing the people in the documentary definitely made me more aware of the consequences of my (and my country's) actions and of my global citizenship. For example, Dolly works at a Nike factory in Indonesia and I have once bought Nike shoes. It's easy to think of these actions as separate situations but in fact they are connected. By buying products made in other countries, where there are no labor laws and bad working conditions, I am supporting a corrupt economic system. However, if I (and many others) chose not to buy products from companies based in other countries, we would no longer be supporting that system but there would likely be high unemployment in those countries (at least at first). So, I am connected to the Indonesian workers in the film in that my actions and consumption are unfortunately supporting the corrupt economic/political system that allow the horrible working conditions in their country. While I can easily see that I am a member of my local community, I am also part of a larger global community and I need to remember that sometimes my actions have widespread consequences.
Because I live in America, I think it is easy to forget how globalized the world is and how interconnected our societies are. We are always the ones outsourcing jobs/companies so we are never the ones that have to deal with the negative effects. Seeing the people in the documentary definitely made me more aware of the consequences of my (and my country's) actions and of my global citizenship. For example, Dolly works at a Nike factory in Indonesia and I have once bought Nike shoes. It's easy to think of these actions as separate situations but in fact they are connected. By buying products made in other countries, where there are no labor laws and bad working conditions, I am supporting a corrupt economic system. However, if I (and many others) chose not to buy products from companies based in other countries, we would no longer be supporting that system but there would likely be high unemployment in those countries (at least at first). So, I am connected to the Indonesian workers in the film in that my actions and consumption are unfortunately supporting the corrupt economic/political system that allow the horrible working conditions in their country. While I can easily see that I am a member of my local community, I am also part of a larger global community and I need to remember that sometimes my actions have widespread consequences.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Bloomington Farmers Market
The Bloomington farmers market was actually very different than I expected--I thought it would just be like an outdoor grocery store but there ended up being so many interesting non-food related activities. In addition to food, there was live music, dancing, crafts, home goods, clothing and jewelry, and information about Bloomington community involvement and politics. I was also surprised at how crowded it was, which perhaps shows how much the people of Bloomington value local/organic food, live music, and community involvement.
Throughout the market, there were many people, including families with their children, walking around and mingling. Everyone there was very friendly and it was easy to start up a conversation with anyone, even the vendors. It was obvious to me that the farmers market isn't just a place to get one's shopping done--it's a great place to talk to others and take part in the community. Also, on my map the pink spots represent the areas where children were most likely to be but I noticed that kids were all over. This demonstrates how inclusive the farmers market is, and reminds me of participatory music. In this type of music, there is no hierarchy of skill, everyone is expected to participate, and there are a variety of parts for different skill levels. At the farmers market, people of all ages were shopping and there were activities geared specifically towards children.
The farmers market also resembled participatory music in that it promoted social bonding. When people experience flow together while playing music it diminishes differences and promotes feelings of closeness. At the farmers market, there were booths giving out information about certain causes and groups. In creating a community/group based on similar goals and interests, one's differences are diminished and the similarities (political beliefs, goal of the group) are emphasized. A similar thing happens when people play music together, so in this way the farmers market reminded me of participatory music.
This is the map I drew of the farmers market:
Throughout the market, there were many people, including families with their children, walking around and mingling. Everyone there was very friendly and it was easy to start up a conversation with anyone, even the vendors. It was obvious to me that the farmers market isn't just a place to get one's shopping done--it's a great place to talk to others and take part in the community. Also, on my map the pink spots represent the areas where children were most likely to be but I noticed that kids were all over. This demonstrates how inclusive the farmers market is, and reminds me of participatory music. In this type of music, there is no hierarchy of skill, everyone is expected to participate, and there are a variety of parts for different skill levels. At the farmers market, people of all ages were shopping and there were activities geared specifically towards children.
The farmers market also resembled participatory music in that it promoted social bonding. When people experience flow together while playing music it diminishes differences and promotes feelings of closeness. At the farmers market, there were booths giving out information about certain causes and groups. In creating a community/group based on similar goals and interests, one's differences are diminished and the similarities (political beliefs, goal of the group) are emphasized. A similar thing happens when people play music together, so in this way the farmers market reminded me of participatory music.
This is the map I drew of the farmers market:
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
The Four Fields of Music
In our society, we use the word "music" to encompass all types of music listening/playing, when in fact there are different kinds of music. It is more useful to divide what we think is a single art form into four fields--participatory, presentational, high fidelity, and studio audio art.
Participatory music has no distinction between the artist and audience, and the quality of the music is judged on the level of participation. There is no hierarchy of skill, and often leads to flow and social bonding. This is an advantage because everyone can participate in and benefit from the music regardless of skill level. However, this also means that there isn't much room for creativity, such as soloing or extensive variations of the melody. Participatory music indexes a culture that values social bonding and collective music making.
This video of a mbira in Zimbabwe is a good example of participatory music; everyone joins in at some point, and it combines musicians of all different skill levels. Here, the quality of the mbira was probably not judged on the music, but rather on the level of participation.
Presentational music involves one group providing music for another group; there is separation between the artist and the audience. This form provides more interest to the audience, allows for transparent textures and creativity, and is a chance for fans to see an artist in person. The audience is not expected to participate, and this limits the social bonding and flow that might occur.
This video of Fuzz playing live shows how presentational music is for listening--the audience might cheer or clap but ultimately the band is creating the entertainment themselves. Fuzz is an American band, which explains the presentational setting as our culture values more rehearsed, closed form types of music.
Participatory music has no distinction between the artist and audience, and the quality of the music is judged on the level of participation. There is no hierarchy of skill, and often leads to flow and social bonding. This is an advantage because everyone can participate in and benefit from the music regardless of skill level. However, this also means that there isn't much room for creativity, such as soloing or extensive variations of the melody. Participatory music indexes a culture that values social bonding and collective music making.
This video of a mbira in Zimbabwe is a good example of participatory music; everyone joins in at some point, and it combines musicians of all different skill levels. Here, the quality of the mbira was probably not judged on the music, but rather on the level of participation.
Presentational music involves one group providing music for another group; there is separation between the artist and the audience. This form provides more interest to the audience, allows for transparent textures and creativity, and is a chance for fans to see an artist in person. The audience is not expected to participate, and this limits the social bonding and flow that might occur.
This video of Fuzz playing live shows how presentational music is for listening--the audience might cheer or clap but ultimately the band is creating the entertainment themselves. Fuzz is an American band, which explains the presentational setting as our culture values more rehearsed, closed form types of music.
High fidelity music indexes live music--it is a recording that represents a live performance. In this form, individual virtuosity and variation is valued. Also, the artist can have more control over the finished product. However, like presentational music, it is unlikely that social bonding will occur. Almost always, these recordings are created to be sold for a profit. The fact that this is the most popular form of music in the U.S. represents our capitalist society: we value money over social bonding (unlike some societies that value participatory music).
This song, "Caring Is Creepy" by the Shins, is an example of high fidelity music. This song could be played live, and the recording probably sounds very similar to the live performance.
Studio audio art is music that is not intended to be played live and is not expected to be authentic. This form gives the artist complete control over the finished product and therefore allows for individual self-expression. But, it is very impersonal and involves very little human interaction. I think the increase in popularity of studio audio art represents our growing interest in technology in our society. It's becoming more and more common to hear songs that are completely computer-generated which is perhaps a reflection of our technology-centered culture.
The song "You" by Gold Panda is studio audio art as it can't be played live. It is very abstract and I think is completely computer-generated.
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Going To California
The song "Going to California" by Led Zeppelin has profoundly changed my emotions. I first got into Led Zeppelin my junior year when I was looking for colleges. This was a pretty stressful time in my life because I was tired of my hometown and wanted a change, but was still afraid of leaving and choosing a path. When I heard this song it evoked strong emotions in me, particularly because the style and lyrics really spoke to me at the time.
The song begins with a finger-picked acoustic guitar, which acted as an icon because it reminded me of my own guitar playing. I play mainly acoustic guitar and finger picking is my favorite style, so this reminder had the effect of making the song seem more personal--almost like the song was written for me. Because of the style, I instantly felt closer to the song and was more open to being affected by the message.
The lyrics of the song became both a symbol and an icon. They were symbolic because they used words to talk about ideas and were iconic because they called to mind other ideas. For example, the lyrics are sometimes kind of cryptic and poetic; he sings, "The mountains and the canyons started to tremble and shake/As the children of the sun began to awake." At the time, the unclear but beautiful and dreamy lyrics sort of reminded me of a fairytale--which made me feel nostalgic in a way. I think this evoked a (subconscious) longing for the past in me.
The song not only made me feel nostalgic but it also made me feel more hopeful for the future. Robert Plant's voice strains as the song escalates, which makes it sound like he is struggling or trying to escape. His voice, the icon, evokes a desire for resolution or peace, the object. Because I listened to the song at the same time I was looking for schools, it helped me feel more hopeful and optimistic about the future. It didn't completely allay my fears of finding a college but it definitely caused me to feel more at peace with the fact that I was leaving.
Both the sense of nostalgia and the optimism for the future this song evoked in me illustrate the importance of the possible and actual in art. I felt a comforting sense of past and present in the song, while the straining and desire for resolution incorporated the future. Turino mentions that good art has a good mix of both. This song definitely has a combination of both actual and possible, which is part of the reason why it evoked so much emotion in me.
Monday, August 5, 2013
My Songprint
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mR8Z-gmK1g
"Helplessness Blues" by Fleet Foxes is a very fitting song, as I am just now entering college and beginning to think about what I want my life to be. Just like the narrator in the song, I can't decide what I want to do--should I find a realistic job and assimilate into society or should I do something more unconventional? He sings, "If I know only one thing, it's that everything that I see/Of the world outside is so inconceivable often I barely can speak/What good is it to sing helplessness blues, why should I wait for anyone else?" The endless possibilities are sometimes overwhelming, and even though I don't have a solid plan, I am eager to start figuring things out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1wfvcF3D6w
Even though the song "If She Wants Me" by Belle and Sebastian refers to specific instances in the singer's life, it is vague enough that I think the song really represents what I want out of life. To me, the song is about having meaningful relationships and being there for friends and family. He says, "If I could do just one near perfect thing I'd be happy... On second thought I'd rather hang around and be there for my best friend if she wants me." I don't know what I want to do with my life, but I do know that wherever I go I want to make good friends along the way. Also, this song means a lot to me because it reminds me of my sister who also happens to be my best friend. She is older than me so we don't live together, but our relationship is the most important one in my life and this song always makes me think of her.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZukYCIcQy0
This song, "Some Might Say" by Oasis, describes how I feel about my hometown. I am an atheist and a vegan and most of my family members are christian and meat-eaters. This leads to some pretty interesting discussions but can also be really tiring when people regularly comment on or criticize your lifestyle. The general message of this song is that you shouldn't tell others what to think, and that in general people should try harder to understand each other. I'm from Missouri which is a pretty conservative area and I always felt like people judged me for my lifestyle. Perhaps this song might not be as meaningful to someone who hasn't had to defend their beliefs so much, but because of my experiences and internal context, I really appreciate the message this song sends.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQ1KkorXdBY
I consider myself a feminist so I am into the whole grrrl riot music scene, which Sleater-Kinney is a big part of. When taken literally, this song does not describe me at all but it does when you know the song is sarcastic and satirical. So, the frame in which you hear the song is especially important to getting the message. I think this song identifies and criticizes the way society expects women to be or act (materialistic, thin, cheerful, etc). "Modern Girl" and Sleater-Kinney's views on sexism in today's society are really similar to my own. In the past couple of years I have tried to explore what it means to be a teenage girl in American society and also what it means to defy some of those standards. Listening to feminist music has helped me do this by opening me up to new ideas.
"Helplessness Blues" by Fleet Foxes is a very fitting song, as I am just now entering college and beginning to think about what I want my life to be. Just like the narrator in the song, I can't decide what I want to do--should I find a realistic job and assimilate into society or should I do something more unconventional? He sings, "If I know only one thing, it's that everything that I see/Of the world outside is so inconceivable often I barely can speak/What good is it to sing helplessness blues, why should I wait for anyone else?" The endless possibilities are sometimes overwhelming, and even though I don't have a solid plan, I am eager to start figuring things out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1wfvcF3D6w
Even though the song "If She Wants Me" by Belle and Sebastian refers to specific instances in the singer's life, it is vague enough that I think the song really represents what I want out of life. To me, the song is about having meaningful relationships and being there for friends and family. He says, "If I could do just one near perfect thing I'd be happy... On second thought I'd rather hang around and be there for my best friend if she wants me." I don't know what I want to do with my life, but I do know that wherever I go I want to make good friends along the way. Also, this song means a lot to me because it reminds me of my sister who also happens to be my best friend. She is older than me so we don't live together, but our relationship is the most important one in my life and this song always makes me think of her.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZukYCIcQy0
This song, "Some Might Say" by Oasis, describes how I feel about my hometown. I am an atheist and a vegan and most of my family members are christian and meat-eaters. This leads to some pretty interesting discussions but can also be really tiring when people regularly comment on or criticize your lifestyle. The general message of this song is that you shouldn't tell others what to think, and that in general people should try harder to understand each other. I'm from Missouri which is a pretty conservative area and I always felt like people judged me for my lifestyle. Perhaps this song might not be as meaningful to someone who hasn't had to defend their beliefs so much, but because of my experiences and internal context, I really appreciate the message this song sends.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQ1KkorXdBY
I consider myself a feminist so I am into the whole grrrl riot music scene, which Sleater-Kinney is a big part of. When taken literally, this song does not describe me at all but it does when you know the song is sarcastic and satirical. So, the frame in which you hear the song is especially important to getting the message. I think this song identifies and criticizes the way society expects women to be or act (materialistic, thin, cheerful, etc). "Modern Girl" and Sleater-Kinney's views on sexism in today's society are really similar to my own. In the past couple of years I have tried to explore what it means to be a teenage girl in American society and also what it means to defy some of those standards. Listening to feminist music has helped me do this by opening me up to new ideas.
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