Here is what I presented in class: Norteño /Conjunto music Texas/Mexico border during early 1900’s Influenced by German and Bohemian immigrants who introduced the accordion and polka beats Instruments Traditional Norteño Accordion Bajo sexto (12-string guitar) Drum
Modern Norteño Accordion Bajo sexto Drum set Electric keyboard Saxophone
Group Trajectory Born in Sinaloa, Mexico 1968 immigrated to San Jose, CA at age of 14 - named by an immigration officer “the little tigers 70’s - were discovered and became famous for their Narco Corridos mid 80’s started singing about life in the United States 1st Grammy for: La Jaula de Oro (1986)
Themes in songs & role in society Love Immigration Social Justice Narco-Corrido - Illegal drug trade Border Struggle to survive
“Los Idolos del Pueblo” / The idols of the people or community Example: El Muro / The Wall Criticize proposed border Lead singer sings in French, German, Farsi, English and Spanish
Example De America Yo Soy / From America, I am http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tV1n-5NT5lw
In class, we discussed general principles of African music through aesthetics such as dense texture, and the relationship between social organization and musical organization (community participation vs. professional musicians). Think of a popular music artist/group or genre that you listen to...Can you list three to five aesthetic qualities that characterize the artist/group's music or that genre? What type of identity/image does that artist/group try to project through their music? In other words, how does the music sound reflect the artist/group's image/identity?
What are aesthetic qualities? Well, I like a lot of music and it's hard for me to pick one. Also, I'm not so familiar with music, so it's hard for me to name music qualities, or adequately describe them. In light that she's coming to do a concert on campus this weekend, I'll look at Jill Scott's music.
Jill Scott's music is part of the Neo Soul genre. This genre is called neo soul, because it takes from the original foundations of soul music, but takes a modern twist to it by including styles of current R&B music (Rhythm and Blues).
First of all, I want to say that I really enjoyed class this week. I really enjoy Native American music, although I am not specifically American Indian. I was introduced to it a little when I was younger, because I had some friends who were Chumash, but it wasn't really until I got to UCLA and went to my first Powwow my first or second year. From then I've been going every year. I also attend because I know a lot of the students who organize it and I want to show them my support. Since then I've also looked out for other Powwows and last summer I went to the one in my home town, Santa Barbara. That was a really fun experience because I took my younger sister to introduce her to other cultures and celebrations, we both had a really good time. I also really like Powwows because it's interesting that although I know that I am an outsider, I still feel really welcome and really comfortable there. I love watching the music and dancing. I love the food, and just the experience. I think what really helps me relate at the pow wows that I've been to is that they also have Aztec Dancers invited to dance, and these are my own indigenous people who are a part of it also, this helps me feel like I am also a part of the circle. I identify as Chicana, which to me is not solely Mexican American, to me it means having a socio-historical and political consciousness. And thus, I understand that I do have an indigenous Identity. Relating to my indigenous idendity is something difficult for me to fully embrace partially because it is something that has been taken away from me from the days of the colonization of the Americas. Powwows and other indigenous celebrations for me are really empowering places, because it allows me to regain traditions that have been lost.
oh, I also wanted to talk about this group that I saw about a month ago, I thought they were so cool! I kind of wanted to present on this to the class but I was really scared. The name of the group is Culture Shock Camp, and they are a Native Hip Hop Group. When I saw them perform I had no idea what it was going to be, but they started with a guy wearing a mask and dancing to Native music. Then they started performing and they were so great. I had never heard hip hop from an American Indian before so I was really excited. I really like the way they bring together a lot of the elements that Chris talked about in his presentation, about them being young people incorporating their history with what is happening now.
I'm not sure how to include a video or anything, but I'll post this to see if it works:
Question 2: Although we focus in on the musical sound itself in this class, music is really just part of a whole meaningful event. In what way can you think of is music just part of a whole event you've attended, and what does music reflect about this event (think of a club scene versus a religious setting).
The second question got me thinking a lot about what events in my own life don't involve music, but so many of the things that I do, do.
So I don't know how I totally forgot about the blog today. What can I say, it's been hectic. So since class I've been thinking about the role that music plays in my life, and I feel that like most other people music is something really big. Although I do not play an instrument, I grew up with a lot of instruments in my family. My grandpa is a musician of Mexican, Norteño music, a little similar to the conjunto music that we heard in class. But my grandpa and all 7 of his sons play multiple instruments ranging from the guitar, accordion, trumpet, bass, drums, violin, and others I don't even know the names for. And so music also plays a big role in our family. In my own life sometimes I can't imagine my life with out music, or with out sound that can carry meaning. I like how the professor in class talked about the relationship between music and dance, because I think that's a really strong relationship for me. I feel that regardless of whatever type of music it is, I can usually move my body to it, or it can generate feelings that translate into movements for me, whether its the energy moving through out my body, or just the tapping of my foot, or something. Which is one of the reasons that I love karaoke! I love it because it really has the ability to connect people through music, which can convey emotions, and dance which is a way to express the emotions or even the feelings. As for why I'm taking this class, and what I hope to get out of it: Well I'm taking this class because it's my last GE, and It sounded interested. I wanted to get a different perspective on music, an analytical perspective, I guess. So far I'm excited for class, I really like the idea of ethnomusicology, i think it's really intersting and I can't wait because I feel that I'm going to learn A LOT in this course, specially since it covers so much.
