I often thought throughout class about what would we do if we had to put the United States in the music culture model. There is so much music in the U.S. I can't even imagine how to begin doing that. It would be interesting to see how other countries would describe our music. It makes me think we must be leaving a lot out of their music culture when we learn about them because I'm sure they would have to leave a lot of our music culture out too.
This class made me want to learn more about my own heritage. My great grandmother is Portuguese and so is most of my family. She lives in a small Portuguese town on the very tip of the cape of Massachusetts. I visit almost every summer for the Portuguese festival and blessing of the fishing boats. It is a good time and I'd love to learn a little more about the music of Portugal. I should really talk to my great grandmother because she would know these kinds of things. I'm sure my ancestors would be happy to know I'm learning about my own culture. I am a little ashamed I don't know a lot.
I had the same revelation when we talked about different countries. I realized that I had been exposed to the Gamelan before, but did not recognize the sounds at first. I also spent some time in Barcelona one summer and was able to experience their "popular" music. You should also talk to Alexandra. She is a vocal graduate student from Portugal. She just went back for Jan. Term.
ReplyDeleteThe migration of the instruments was fascinating to me as well. Thats awesome how you realised that you got a knowledge of world music when you lived in different places as well as from your mom's journeys. I too have thougt about what other countries think about our music and our traditions. Thats cool about your Portuguese Festival. I would like to learn more about my own heritage as well.
ReplyDeleteI have also begun to notice the many different music cultures that I interact with. The influences of people on other people has caused this amazing blend of music. With such a variety and source of instruments and music, perhaps no music culture, particularly the United States could be placed in a neat model. Have fun learning you heritage and go ahead and add your own colors!
ReplyDeleteI also enjoy this course. It would be interesting to put the united states in the music culture model because we tend to have so many contrasting styles. Many of which are from other countries.
ReplyDeleteIt would be very interesting to see how other countries would think of the traditional music of how country. Would they focus mainly on Native American music? Would the folk music, or African American spirituals be studied? It would have been nice for us to put our own culture in the music culture model as a class activity.
ReplyDeleteKathleen, I did not know you lived in Germany! I am so jealous because of that! What part were you in? Like you it was interesting to see how instruments have migrated to various countries and how certain countries adopted neighboring countries instruments and musical ideas. Like I wrote in my blog, I am eager to learn more about our music here in America. I guess in a way, I overlooked a lot of it and now is the time I really want to explore more than ever into our own culture.
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