Macon State Music Appreciation

Upcoming concerts that would count as of Fri 2/10/12

2012-02-10T07:36:00.002-05:00

I saw these in the Friday Macon Telegraph - inside the Out & About section. In no particular order:

Georgia Brass Quintet - Sunday 2/12 3 pm, First United Methodist in Warner Robins. $10, free for students [Bring your ID]
Mercer University Orchestra - Tuesday 2/14 7:30 pm, music building. Free
Mad About Chamber Music II: Mercer Wind Ensemble - Friday 2/17 7:30 pm, music building. Free
Macon Symphony Orchestra - Saturday Feb 18, 7:30 pm, Grand Opera House. Student tickets are $18.50
The American Boy Choir - Sunday, Feb 19, 4 pm, Vineville Methodist. Free
Anton Nel, pianist - Tuesday, Feb. 21, 7:30 pm, $10 general admission.
Third Thursday Organ Interludes - Thursday Feb 16, Noon St, Joseph Catholic Church, Free.
The Met live in HD: [this is the ONLY "video concert" that I will allow] - Saturdays 2/11, 2/25, 3/14, 4/7, 4/25 at the Douglass Theatre [downtown Macon] and the Galleria Mall Stadium Cinema in Warner Robins.

The Douglass is showing fewer of the events - tickets are available at each theater's box office. See www.metopera.org/hdlive for more info.

There will be several concerts that count during Cherry Blossom - there is a noon organ series that usually runs during the festival, for example.

Some advice, at the risk of stating the obvious:

Don't wait until late April to get these done.
Write well. Tons of ideas on the "Concert Report" link on the blog sidebar.
The report is to be turned in no later than the 2nd class meeting after the event. I will not grade them if turned in late (unless a hospital visit is the reason for the delay).

Test 1 notes

2012-02-02T22:59:00.004-05:00

Everything is graded and posted. You should be able to see your grade in Vista.
WATCH OUT: Your grade is NOT on a 100 point scale, so don't panic!
Download the student gradebook spreadsheet from Vista - use it to keep track of your grades.

I'll be handing the listening sheets out on Monday so you can see how you did.

By the way - the extra credit (assuming there is some) is not always the composer's name on each test!

(I told you I was sneaky!)

More stuff from Mon Jan 30

2012-01-30T13:54:00.000-05:00

Remember to keep an eye on the blog - I'll post schedule updates as soon as I know what's happening with the funeral. on Wednesday DO NOT depend on an email update - it sometimes takes several hours for the update to flow into your mailbox after I post it here.

Another madrigal:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYbN_2hqFoI

An instrumental ensemble playing a renaissance dance piece:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2DejJyPeKk

JUST FOR FUN: PDQ Bach
If you don't see what's funny here you aren't paying attention!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6YgWcqAm5E

When you go to a concert......

2012-01-24T14:41:00.002-05:00

....especially a "classical" one, please remember to turn your cell phone OFF. Classical requires an incredible amount of concentration to get things EXACTLY right. This is one of those times when getting 90% correct is NOT an A - it would be an "epic fail".

Why do I bring this up?

This video came across my inbox today. I love the soloist's response!

Music Technology Videos

2012-01-23T14:09:00.003-05:00

Remember that these really are low-budget, but hopefully will get the point across.

These are demonstrating a variety of basic technologies used in music, including:

Analog synthesis
Sample-playback
MIDI
Soft-synths

Synthesis = creating sounds from scratch [Analog = messing with the electricity coming from the wall. Digital = calculating what the sound is using math equations]

Sampling = recording audio and converting the audio into numbers. CD quality = 44100 measurements per SECOND, using 16 "digits" per measurement. Recording studio quality = some 96000 measurements per second using 32 "digits" per measurement.

MIDI = a computer language that allows multiple keyboards to be controlled from a single keyboard.....and since it's a digital language, computers can "memorize" what was played, and then send those same commands back out to the keyboard and duplicate the performance.

Soft-synth = "software synthesizer". The vids use "hardware synths" - i.e. separate "boxes" to create the sound. A soft-synth is purely software where the computer calculates what the sound will be on the fly.

Demo a Synthesizer (Analog)

Demo a Sample Playback keyboard

MIDIThe computer memorizes what notes were played when

Wouldn't it be great to record your music, and then go back and make changes to it like we can with words? You can!

Soft-SynthsNo hardware needed (other than the computer)

The entire 9 minute Music Technology Demo

Concert Reports

2012-01-11T10:36:00.000-05:00

A couple of quick reminders about the concert reports:

TWO of them
They count 15% of your final average - that's a letter and a half!
Classical or Jazz ONLY - only other option would be Middle School / High School PERFORMING groups [i.e. NOT a "musical" - theatrical production]. ASK if any question
Reports are due NO LATER THAN THE SECOND CLASS after the event. So if the concert was on Friday, you need to turn the thing in to me No Later Than Class on the following Wednesday.
I will NOT accept them late.
LAST DAY TO TURN THEM IN: THE LAST REGULAR CLASS MEETING.
I will NOT grade them if turned in later than that.
Only POSSIBLE exception - and this would be announced here on the blog AND in class - is if there is an awesome concert that would count between the last class day and the final exam. Those cases are RARE, however.

http://maconstate.blogspot.com/2006/08/sample-listening-chart.html has some ideas for how to write one of these. 2-3 pages long. WRITE WELL. I mean that!

[DON'T PLAY THE FONT SIZE GAME - I used to work in a print shop as well as a newspaper and know more than you about fonts, leading, and typographical trickery]

BEGIN SPRING 2012

2012-01-04T10:05:00.003-05:00

If you've already survived the class and don't want all the stuff from this semester, feel free to unsubscribe - there's a link down there below this paragraph.

www.tomrule.info/depth

Latest News: Final Exam, Listening, grades.....

2011-12-08T21:42:00.004-05:00

The final exam has been graded - you can pop into WebCT to check your score.

Final Grades won't be posted for a few days - there's a lot of data to mes with, and I have a recording session and a performance this Friday.

THANK YOU to everyone for your patience - we still don't know where the scheduling mixup occurred, but I'm thankful you guys were willing and able to go with the flow!

LISTENING <-- Click if you want to hear it again.

1. Check your audio - obviously, one of the class piece recordings - the aleatoric one. CLICK HERE if you'd like to listen to ALL the things we recorded.

2. One - "Hotter Than That", Louis Armstrong. Jazz!

3. Two - Weelkes, "As Vesta Was Descending". NOT "Vespa" - they didn't have Italian-made scooters back then! Renaissance, word painting, polyphonic, a cappella, a madrigal.

4. Three - Bartok Concerto for Orcehstra (II. Game of Pairs), towards the end. 20th Century, some dissonance. This is actually "NeoClassical".

5. Four - I had mistyped something in the code, which is why it wasn't working - everyone got the 10 points as a patience/Christmas bonus. You can hear it now - [it's on your CDs as well].

6. Five - the class minimalism piece - so 21st c., minimalistic, not much variation, noise as a sound source.

I'll post again when the grades are put into the system. Next Wednesday is the Deadline, so they'll definitely be done before then!

OOPS.....the class recordings!

2011-12-06T14:54:00.001-05:00

Just discovered the class recordings didn't post correctly. That has been repaired, and you can now download our recordings and bestow them on posterity or to annoy the rodents in the neighborhood.

CLICK HERE and select the track to download!

Who says Classical is boring?

2011-12-06T11:26:00.000-05:00

Something to make you smile - the Calgary Chorus took the music to "O Fortuna" [you'll recognize it when you here it] and asked their audience to tweet in their suggestions for keeping warm up there.

The original article is at
http://gizmodo.com/5865380/tweeted-tips-for-staying-warm-as-sung-by-the-calgary-philharmonic-orchestra

The Class Recordings are Ready [finally!]

2011-12-01T10:41:00.000-05:00

http://www.last.fm/music/Tom+Rule/Music+Appreciation+Experiments

You can listen to them online, or download them. They are 320 bitrate MP3s, so can be played on any mp3 player/computer, etc.

Aleatoric 2 probably sounds the best.

So, I have to ask: IS THIS MUSIC?

[and was it fun to create?]

Miscellany for a Tuesday

2011-11-29T13:57:00.000-05:00

1. ABSOLUTE deadline for concert reports to be turned in is the last class meeting - next Monday Dec. 5! Check music.mercer.edu for a calendar of events over there - GCSU also has one.

2. 23 foot high Theremin appears in Melbourne and freaks people out. - I would so like to see this!

3. Musician Uses Looping Pedal to Play with Time - Comes back to the "Is This Music?" question!

Wikipedia article - Website, with samples [pun intended!]

Comments from the Romantic / 20th Century Test

2011-11-16T11:51:00.000-05:00

Comments from the Romantic / 20th Century Test. These are copy/pasted, complete with typos.

What 20th century piece surprised you the most? Why? [either pleasantly OR unpleasantly surprised!]

Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring" surprised me the most. I think the people that started a riot over it over reacted, but I still thought the music was bizarre, yet captivating with the odd, powerful sounds and chords.
Poeme Electronique was extremely "interesting". It had a lot of new and crazy stuff going on that sounds weird even now.
idk
The percussion ones. I have only been to one percussion concert, and I must say that it was one of the most interesting performances I had ever seen before. The tones are so dark, which I really enjoy. I like how in the 20th century, there is use of harmonies and vocals as beats, instruments to contrast the melodies. I like how they developed a new sense of structure with the electronic beats. But what truly intrigued me the most was the avant-garde section, because I never expected you to cover that the way you did.
Poeme Electronique suprised me the most because it was nothing but random sounds.
I wasn't suprised by it.
Rite of Spring. I just can't get over how weird all of it is. Both of the dances we watched in class to go along with it were somewhat jolting and disconcerting. It's just strange...
The one with the random noises # 17 on the listening section because it seems like random sounds with no theme. {Varese Poeme Electronique]
The Rite of Spring by Igor Stravinsky surprised me the most.It was the most memorable of the ones I've heard. It was really different from the classical music we listened to before this.The drums and the beat gave it the power and is why this piece was primitivism and it produced a different emotion from me than the other songs.It pulled my concentration and made me focus and really think about what's coming next.I enjoyed the difference and contrast of these two eras compared to classical and baroque eras.
Armstrong impressed me the most. I really enjoy jazz and blues. All the other works give our century a terrible name.
simple variations. i really like the piece because it has a nice moving melody and it will keep you entertained through the whole piece.
Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring" surprised me the most because it was such a drastic change from the Romantic Era. It was harsh, primal, with a driving beat that was so dramatically different than what his audience was used to and it was the beginning of a new era.
My favorite piece was probably Erlking. It surprised me on how emotional it was. The steady rhythm of the horse's hoof beats really MADE the song. Once I read the translation of the words on the listening guide, it just made the song even creepier. It really surprised me when I found out that one man performed all of it: the father, the son, Erlking, and death. The way the man portrayed the son was brilliant!
Ahhh!!! This whole section was brutal. What surprised me was how difficult this section turned out to be!!
The peice that surprised me the most is Symphonie Fastastique, because it was so long and diverse
The piece "Shard" surprised me the most. I can tell that the music is organized, but I don't see how there is any substance to what he's composed. Even though it is composed, it still sounds like somebody just messing around on a guitar. Unpleasantly surprised. Difficult to appreciate.
Cance music. Some was good but I still dont think it should be classified as music
the Afo-American syphony because it was un comman for blacks to write and proform symphonies and the fact tat he put a banjo in his syphony.
The Afro-American Symphony pleasantly suprised me the most because of their unusual use of a banjo in an orchestra piece.
Stravinsky's the Rite of Spring surprised me the most because of the harsh tones and discord throughout the piece. Although it is clear the composer took time with the piece, I did NOT enjoy it. It was very difficult to listen to or enjoy; it is not a surprise that the piece caused a riot. I believe the piece should have been named the "Riot" of Spring.

What surprised ME about the comments was the number of times Rite of Spring was mentioned as a surprise, even after all of these years!

Test next Monday in the Library (11/14)

2011-11-08T09:24:00.000-05:00

Hint:

Who wrote what piece?

The last nudge about concert reports.....

2011-11-05T21:07:00.000-04:00

Every Friday in the Macon Telegraph - available in the Library - is a section that lists upcoming concerts for the next 10 days. For example, the Macon Symphony is performing as I type this.

On Sunday, 11/13, there's a free Flute & Piano concert featuring Eugenia Zuckerman at Vineville Methodist @ 4pm.

The Metropolitan opera (New York) has several broadcasts in HD that you can see either at the Douglass Theatre in Macon, or at the Galleria Mall Cinema in Warner Robins. There's a list at metopera.org/hdlive. These WILL count for concerts.

There are also SEVERAL concerts coming up at Mercer - see http://www2.mercer.edu/Music/calendar.htm for the entire list.

Remember that ALL concert reports are due

at the last class meeting.

I will NOT accept any reports late - EXCEPT:

Dec 1 - Thursday, The Mercer Percussion Ensemble will be performing with Andy Harnsberger. If you have never been to a percussion ensemble concert, you really should go. Marcus Reddick, the director, is an incredible percussionist and teacher - we chatted the other day about what they will be playing, and it sounds VERY interesting.

It is free, and it will count as long as the concert report is turned in NO LATER THAN the final exam.

-----

Remember that the concert reports count for 10% of the final average - that's an entire letter grade. Write a couple of pages about it - write well - and take a look at the syllabus and at the blog entry on concert reports for some ideas.

links for 11/3 class - 20th Century slides

2011-11-02T11:41:00.000-04:00

Link to the slideshow

Tom Rule Music Appreciation 20th c

View more presentations from Tom Rule

Notes from 10/24/11 class

2011-10-24T14:54:00.002-04:00

1)
I just updated the WebCT/Vista gradebook with all of the grades from the presentations so far.

We have 5 weeks of the semester left. I have only seen TWO concert reports! They are due during our last class meeting. Don't let this slip up on you!

2)
The Macon State Chamber Singers will be performing oncampus twice, downstairs in the rehearsal hall:
Monday November 14 at 7:30 pm
Tuesday November 15 at 12:30 pm

Yup - 'tis FREE!

3)
Here are the Symphonie Fantastique Videos we started today:

4th Movement | 5th Movement

4th Movement

5th Movement

Free Concert THIS WEEK

2011-10-18T09:27:00.000-04:00

[YES, IT COUNTS - but since it's so short I'll expect better writing!]

BRING THE KIDS to an adorable opera for child audiences (Grades K-5) that the whole family will enjoy! Next week Mercer University Opera teams up with Stone Academy after-school program to present A Muskrat Lullaby. Based on the story book “Mama Don’t Allow“, this great little show is only 25 minutes long and we are performing it at 6:00 p.m. for your convenience: after work and before dinner.

It’s FREE, so bring the grandkids and neighbor’s kids, too! See how Miles the Muskrat and his singing quartet of swamp animals escape the clutches of Boss Alligator and the Alligator Gang!!

Tuesday-Wednesday, Oct. 18-19

at the DOUGLASS THEATRE, 6 pm

Thursday-Friday, Oct. 20-21

at MERCER’S MUSIC BUILDING, 6 pm

FREE!

Audience participation and sing-along! Meet the cast after the show!
Call (478) 301-5751 for more information.

Test 2 comments

2011-10-12T11:44:00.000-04:00

What surprised you most about Baroque music? About Classical?

I was surprised that I enjoyed the Baroque music better then the Classical music.

What surprised me most was the differences between the two. I thought they sound the same before but now I see clear consise differences.

My favorite thing about Baroque music is the ambling melodies. They're fun to play on piano. My favorite thing about Classical is that it is more emotional than Baroque, which is why I'm excited to move into the Romantic period.

I like classical better because its not as crazy.

A few pieces that I always thought were "classical music" were actually from the Baroque period.

the baroque music is a little weird to me. i'd much rather listen to childrens music. and the classical music was the best to me because it kept you moving throughout the piece.

Before the class, I could not tell the difference. They were just names to me and had no meanings. I was surprised that the Baroque era had as much "drive" as it did. I didn't realize that the Classical era still used vocals in music.

A lot of different things surprised me. Mostly about Bach's dad.

I find it hard to tell a distinction between pieces. I find it hard to tell a distinction between classical composers also. I feel there is only so much a composer could have really done to stand outside the box. However; each period offered their own uniqueness. Taking the roots of the earlier period.

What suprise me about Classical is that the only two composures i know are both considered under the Classical section and that both Mozart and Beethoven didnt do as much as Haydn but still are the two names tht comes up the most. The Baroque its hard to say because before this class I didnt know anything about it but I did learn alot from the 1600s when it came to this time period in music

The classical era surprised me in that it was essentially the composers were comparable to the pop artists of today.

Baroque music goes on and on and classical music survived for a long period of time

I was definitely unaware that Opera began during this time period. I grew an appreciation and interest for opera while learning this section. What suprised me most about classical music was after listerning to music from the baroque period, it is amazing to me how simple it was compared to that. It made me realize that this is where folk music began.

It surprised me that a boroque peice could last so long and be so fast paced while the musician remembers all of it and doesnt miss a note. It surprised me that the classical composers were so amazing at experimenting with dynamics. I also like it when a theme returns many times in different fragments and keys.

what the musican had to go through in oder to play music

I did not know that the harpsicord was invinted before the piano. I also didnt know that people and society in Europe were as involved and dedicated to music, nor that it was considered educated to be able to play music.

The Baroque music is somewhat harsh, very loud and constantly moving uses Basso Continuo. Classical is much more lyrical uses a full orchestra no longer uses a Basso Continuo or the Harpsichord.

To me, Baroque music is difficult to identify. I never realized how easy it is to get Classical music stuck in your head until I sat and really analyzed it.

MY PERSONAL FAVORITE:

The fact that I could actually pay attention to it and the fact that I didn't hate it.

Oct 23rd concert in WR

2011-10-10T13:57:00.000-04:00

Sunday Oct 23rd @ 3pm
205 North Davis Drive
Warner Robins

Admission $10
Students FREE

Free Upcoming Concerts @ Mercer (WITH MSC STUDENT ID)

2011-10-10T13:39:00.000-04:00

Tuesday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m. - Fickling Hall
Amy Schwartz Moretti, violin Julie Albers, cello Elizabeth Pridgen, piano
Franck - Piano Quintet in F minor
Shostakovich - Trio No. 2 in E minor

Monday, October 24 - 3:00 p.m. - Fickling Hall
William McGraw, baritone, Master Class
Mr. McGraw is one of the foremost performing vocal pedagogues in the United States.

Note from the booking agency:
"We hope your students are able to attend. They only need to show their ID for a ticket or admission. I would encourage them to get an advance ticket for the Oct. 18 concert."

Upcoming Concerts that count

2011-09-14T14:50:00.000-04:00

NOT an exhaustive list - just a couple that class members have let me know about

Tuesday, September 20 at 9:00pm
Sons of Daughters - FB Event Page - Website
Free Jazz group from Wisconsin

the Golden Bough371 Cotton Ave
Macon, GA

FREE

Tuesday Sept 27 @ Mercer
Mercer Ensemble Series
7:30

@ the McCorkle Music Building
FREE

Presentation - quick reminder

2011-09-14T11:43:00.000-04:00

Don't forget that the presentation schedule is listed on the blog- make sure you don't miss your date! We have ZERO flexibility in the schedule now.

FINAL EXAM DATE:
Wed 12/7 1-3 pm in the ARC as usual.

CONCERT: Georgia Guitar Quartet

2011-09-12T14:59:00.001-04:00

Click on the graphic to see the larger [readable] version.

Test 1 is graded........

2011-09-08T12:27:00.000-04:00

....so you can pop over into WebCT/Vista and see what your score is.

WARNING: The number you see is NOT a percentage - it's your score out of 83 points possible.

So if your score is a 74, that's actually an 89.15%. Yes, I round to the nearest integer.

There is a spreadsheet you can download from the WebCT/Vista section that you can use to track your progress in the class. Take advantage of it!

Test notes & Blog info

2011-09-01T09:04:00.000-04:00

I just tweaked the study posts for Elements, Medieval, and Renaissance. You might want to look at them.

I also updated some of the links on the right sidebar - most notably the Kamien Connect link now points to the Fall 2011 section (instead of the one from last Spring).

Study well!

Don't forget that the test will be in the LIBRARY COMPUTER LAB. Bring headphones/earbuds if you've got some you prefer. Make sure you have an 1/8" jack [i.e. iPod/Zune/MP3 player type].

We do have a good number of headphones available, but they are "merely OK" quality-wise.

Techno Jeep - is this music?

2011-09-01T08:47:00.000-04:00

Advice for MusApp

2011-08-23T21:21:00.000-04:00

I had someone ask what to do because they are feeling lost. Here is my advice to them:

Make sure you're signed up on the blog - http://maconstate.blogspot.com - add your email address on the signup sheet.
Dive into WebCT/Vista for the class. The powerpoints I use in class are posted there (at the moment, they are last year's versions, but they will be about 95% identical to what I'm using this year).
Listen to the tracks on the CDs WHILE READING THE LISTENING GUIDES.
Read AHEAD of what I'm going to cover in class. Check the syllabus for the schedule - I stay decently close to it. There's is a pdf copy on WebCT/Visa, and a web-page-version on the blog.
Ask questions - either via email or in class - when something doesn't make sense!
DON'T PANIC!

Kamien Connect info

2011-08-15T14:40:00.003-04:00

Kamien Connect is a website where you can

Listen to the CD audio over the 'net
read the textbook (depending on which "type" of access code you have)
take some quizzes etc just to test yourself.

The advantage of listening to the music through the website is that the listening guides are dynamic - you don't have to guess if you are looking at the right line, because the text is animated to show you exactly where you are in the piece.

It's fairly handy.

SO WHERE IS THIS THING?

Here's the URL for the Fall 2011 class:

http://connect.mcgraw-hill.com/class/trule_fall2011

IF YOU HAVE YOUR CODE ALREADY:

Setup an account with your access code - click the "register now" button.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE ONE:

You can purchase it online, or get one from the bookstore. I do not know which is cheaper. BEWARE, though - there are two types of codes - one gives you access to the textbook, the other does NOT.

You can decide if online textbook access is important to you - I just wanted you to know before plunking down the cash.

IS THIS MANDATORY FOR THIS CLASS?

No, but it'd be very handy! The animated listening guides alone are worth the price of admission if you are serious about getting an A and developing your listening skills.

START FALL 2011

2011-08-08T12:48:00.000-04:00

If you'd like to quit receiving these in your inbox, click the "unsubscribe" link that's supposed to be below.

You're welcome to stay on, though!

Music "in the Cloud" - in the 1800s??????

2011-05-25T09:04:00.000-04:00

Apple, Amazon, and others have all announced services that will allow you to stash your music somewhere "out there" on the 'net, and listen to it wherever you have 'net access.

This is not a new thing!

What 'cloud-based music' looked like in 1892

Meanwhile, back here in the USA:

The Telharmonium (also known as the Dynamophone) was an early electronic musical instrument, developed by Thaddeus Cahill in 1897.^[1]^[2] The electrical signal from the Telharmonium was transmitted over wires; it was heard on the receiving end by means of 'horn' speakers.^[3]

^{"There is nothing new under the sun" - Solomon}

A final word, A quick note, and some links

2011-05-02T14:28:00.000-04:00

The quick note:
Unless you REALLY enjoy my announcements and assorted sundries posted to this list, you should go ahead and UNSUBSCRIBE from this. There should be a link, down there at the bottom of the message, for you to do so!

This is the last posting for the semester, so you won't miss anything relevant to THIS class.

I'm hoping to get the final graded Tuesday AM, so you should be able to plug in ALL of your grades into the spreadsheet and see what your grade is by Tuesday night.

The Final Word:
This has been an enjoyable semester - partly because you [there's that generic use of the word "you] weren't afraid to ask questions, wonder aloud, and guess!

Hopefully you know more than you did back in January - remember the overall goal of the class was for you to get a historical overview and to learn how to REALLY LISTEN.

So continue exploring music - there is SO MUCH STUFF out there that is easily available. Try getting out of your little audio comfort zone more often than every eon!

.....but stay from the "smooth" stuff!

Some Links

Below are some links to Free Flight, who performed Listening #5 [Mo's Art], and Dave Brubeck's Unsquare Dance, which was listening #2, as well as the Albrechtsberger Jaw Harp Concerto - in case you are interested in picking up a copy for yourself!

....and don't forget that "our" performances are available for free download! [for a limited time, of course...]

Aleatoric 1

Aleatoric 2

Minimalism

Hope your summer is beyond excellent!

(1) It's posted! (2) FInal Exam note

2011-04-29T11:05:00.000-04:00

1) The class recordings are FINALLY posted! You can listen online AND download them [for a limited time].

Aleatoric I

Aleatoric II

Minimalism

I personally think they are best when played LOUD. . . . . .outside.

2) Just so you know - the final will be Monday 5/2 from 1-3 pm over in the ARC lab. I had a few people who weren't sure!

Apparently I am one of the few who follow the exam schedule.

Something to play while studying?

2011-04-28T13:41:00.002-04:00

Otamata - a webpage that creates sound that never repeats (well, PRACTICALLY never!). It is an interesting take on how to create music, in this case by starting little blocks moving back and forth inside a square.

Check it out!

4/18/11 class videos

2011-04-18T13:55:00.000-04:00

Vids shown in class today - the top one is the only one that really applies in term of academic content. The other two spring from our discussion of rap vs hiphop.

Talk Radio Screencast

View more webinars from Tom Rule

Test Graded - and your comments

2011-04-14T10:53:00.000-04:00

The test grades are up on Vista. When calculating your percentage, don't use 70 as the points possible - use 66. (yes, it's a curve.)

Below are your comments - interesting stuff!

What has surprised you most about 20th C music?

How good some of the music was, despite the weirdness.

I can not listen to this music at all. It is not easy on the ears at all. I wish I could go back and change it all. It amazed me that they took things from the past periods.

What surprised me most about 20th century music was how early electronics were used in composing and producing new sounds. While most of these sounded like complete crap, they found their way into popular music and other forms of entertainment such as cartoons, as well as forming a path for sound designers in general.

The fact that electronic music had been used in the early 20th century amazed me. I thought all of it came in during the 80's or something, Poeme Electronique sounded like new Radiohead stuff!

How there were these extremes. Either you deviated from the old ideas or you went with the old ideas and composed based on those ideas.

Surprised? Probably the range of sounds, even NOISES, that can be cobbled together and called music. I've found that the answer to the question "Is it music?" is always "It COULD be!"

It has surprized me more by now knowing that the music made from today has already been done. Its amazing how the old music is still sampled and writing the same way.

It is different than I was expecting it to be. Other than that nothing really surprised me.

Was very surprised at how diverse the music was. Some of the pieces were just absolutely horrid, but some were actually enjoyable to listen to.

Nothing really surpirsed me. I figured 20th century music would sound completely different from anything else we've covered since the music of today sounds completely different from anything we've covered. Well, nevermind, one thing that did surprise was people rioted over the new type of music. I guess its shocking to me because "shocking" music is more common today than it ever was.

Before we started studying twentieth century music, I thought it would be more like today's music. After we started studying the twentieth century, I learned that many of the pieces sounded like the other eras we have already studied. It is very hard to identify the pieces because they sound so much like the other ones. I was very suprised by this. I knew that more percussion and electonics would be used, but I thought it would have a completely new sound. I was suprised that the twentieth century wasn't very new and interesting. The Romantic era was more interesting than the twentieth century and I thought it would be the opposite.

It's near inability to be classified by certain characteristics. It has so many styles. One person can't hear something and think "20th Century" like one can in the previous eras.

The vastness of the realms of ideas in which it encompasses. Anything goes. Its like an explosion of creative musical thought. Pretty awesome in my opinion.

I throughly enjoyed the exploration of noise and the abandoment of "civilized" music to prove the point that anything can be music

How early the electronic music was introduced.

It sounds just like the music of the old days just with better and more instruments.

how it came about, the history.

The variety of the music.

How ridiculous it can be. I love the Romantic music, but 20th century is just plain noise. Yes, yes, to shock the audience. To be honest with you, that has been said about every era: "This is different, a reaction to the era before." Everything is to shock or please an audience.

The atonality. Random notes and singing doesn't seem to mix.

Youtube Choir?

2011-04-13T15:08:00.000-04:00

Recording Instructions

Introduction to the virtual choir

Last year, renowned composer Eric Whitacre went viral with his virtual choir. This time around he has increased the stakes and organized a virtual choir with over 2,000 members. In this TED talk, Whitacre talks about the challenges of making music powered by YouTube and reveals his latest effort titled "Sleep."

Composer Organizes 2000 member virtual choir

To reiterate.......

2011-04-05T23:05:00.000-04:00

Next week, the amazing Vientos del Pueblo (vientosdelpueblo.com) joins the MSC Chamber Singers for a program featuring music of South America, including the Argentinean classic “Misa Criolla.” Vientos del Pueblo will be bringing charangos, zampoñas, quenas, a cajon, rainstick, bomba, a donkey’s jaw and some toenail looking things plus guitars and a violin. We will be joined by Dr. Leroy Bynum, Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities at Albany State University. This is a program you do not want to miss:
Friday, April 15, 7:30 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church
682 Mulberry Street
Downtown Macon

We are expecting a huge crowd, so don’t come late!

Concert Reports note, and a couple of random news tidbits.......

2011-04-04T21:06:00.000-04:00

1) Remember that concert reports are due in by the 2nd class after the concert took place. So if the concert was on Friday, then you need to turn in the report by the Wednesday's class.

Everything is due by the last day of class, 11:59 pm (the odd time is in case you'd like to turn it in electronically).

2) I've mentioned that Youtube is full of copyright violations, and there is a $1 Billion lawsuit between Google and Viacom over this issue. It is now in the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals - and I think it will land in the Supreme Court eventually. HERE is an article with the latest update.

3) So now you can make music with....your SNEAKERS! Adidas has developed a sneaker with a wireless setup that transforms tap dance movements into music. FULL ARTICLE HERE.

2 upcoming concerts

2011-04-04T10:22:00.000-04:00

1) Friday night April 15 @ 7:30 pm @ First Presbyterian Church on mulberry Street (Downtown Macon, across the street from the Grand Opera House).

The Macon State Chamber Singers with Vientos Del Pueblo. Youtube Vid

The Singers will do a set, then the Band will do a set, followed by a performance of a Latin America Mass.

Free!

2) Tuesday April 19 at 1:00 pm in the Rehearsal Hall (downstairs from the Music App classroom).

The Macon State Chamber Singers, plus music students on piano, voice, and guitar, will perform a variety of works.

Free! DO NOT COME IN LATE

What Pi sounds like

2011-03-16T11:31:00.001-04:00

In honor of Pi day last Monday - and as a source for an experiment in class:

Quick notes: Curves, Numbers, and Concerts

2011-03-16T11:28:00.000-04:00

1) Curves
Vista will tell you that the test was worth 89 points. Instead, I'm going to count it as worth 85 points.

2) Numbers
Remember that there is an Excel spreadsheet that you can download and plug in your grades - and then play what if to see where you stand for your average. The spreadsheet assumes a C for all of the grades (you have to start somewhere!) - but you can change that as needed.

I suggest you take advantage of it - that will avoid unpleasant surprises later!

3) Concerts

We are over the halfway point, and I have received a relative few concert reports. DON'T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST WEEK when everyone is brain-damaged from a long semester and you have way too much work to get done in not enough time.

Cherry Blossom is next week - TONS of free concerts to go to that will count. Again, if you have a question, ASK!

Test scores should be posted in Vista.

2011-03-04T13:35:00.002-05:00

Sorry it took a couple of days.... busy week!

Presentation schedule updated

2011-02-23T13:55:00.000-05:00

Apparently I hadn't completed typing in the schedule, so the last few weeks were missing!

It's been finished now - if you aren't on it, PLEASE let me know quickly!

http://maconstate.blogspot.com/p/present-sked.html

Free concert Friday - Mercer Jazz

2011-02-22T21:42:00.000-05:00

Exciting, Exhilarating, and Free
Combo - Music of the Modern Masters. (J.Redman,C.Corea,J.Coltrane)

Big Band Ensemble - Diverse Sounds from (Metheny to Duke)

Friday Feb 25 @ 7:30 PM
Location: Fickling Hall in Townsend School of Music at Mercer University

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=141866359210159

Concerts this week @ Mercer

2011-02-15T12:03:00.000-05:00

Full calendar is at http://www2.mercer.edu/Music/calendar.htm
Most of these are FREE. Notice that the Ben Altman (Classical Guitar) concert is at Noon.

February 18	Masterworks at Noon Series Guest Artist Recital Ben Altman, guitar - Program features Joan Tower's Clocks and Bach's Partita No. 2 in D minor 12 p.m.
18	Mercer Wind Ensemble Mad About Chamber Winds II Douglas Hill, conductor 7:30 pm
25	Mercer Jazz Ensemble Monty Cole, director 7:30 PM
26	Fabian Strings Series Robert McDuffie, violinAmy Schwartz Moretti, violin Julie Albers, celloElizabeth Pridgen, piano - Program features solo works plus Dvorák's Piano Quintet $25 general admission/Free with Mercer IDNOTE: While part of the Fabian Series, the subscription charge for this concert is $25. Call (478) 301-5470 to purchase. For tickets, call (478) 301-5470 or click here to order online

Directions

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Mccorkle+Music+Building+1329+Adams+Street+Macon,+GA&sll=32.830125,-83.672047&sspn=0.101403,0.15398&ie=UTF8&hq=Mccorkle+Music+Building&hnear=1329+Adams+St,+Macon,+Bibb,+Georgia+31201&ll=32.834453,-83.644216&spn=0.013126,0.019248&z=16&iwloc=near

Instruments? We don't need no stinkin' INSTRUMENTS!

2011-02-03T23:47:00.002-05:00

Proof you can make music with just about anything. Something fluffy for a Friday!

Sampled Room from Mateusz Zdziebko on Vimeo.

Test grades available

2011-02-02T09:53:00.000-05:00

You can swing over to WebCT/Vista and check your grades. I've typed in the listening scores - you'll get your sheet back in class.

Let me know if you CAN'T see the test score! Remember that your score is out of 70 points, NOT 100!!!!

Music Tech, the upcoming test, concert reports

2011-01-26T14:03:00.000-05:00

Test next Monday IN THE LIBRARY COMPUTER LAB. Bring your own earbuds/headphones if you'd like - we do have headphones there if you'd prefer to use those as well.

There are some quickie study sheets on the blog in the sidebar links:
http://maconstate.blogspot.com/2006/09/renaissance-music.html
http://maconstate.blogspot.com/2007/02/study-sheet-medieval-renaissance.html
http://maconstate.blogspot.com/2008/01/elements-test-study-suggestions.html

Here are links to the youtube Music Technology demo videos:
Synth demo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3l_KZvpyZg
Sample playback: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1r_A8ZPy08
Midi & Softsynths: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AK43livUlbs
MIDI recording and quantizing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kj7DVMBXjQg
MIDI as a musical word processor: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G900R8ejX18
All of the above, if you've got 10 minutes to kill!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MImmCoHH8k

Want some suggestiona on writing a concert report?
http://maconstate.blogspot.com/2006/08/sample-listening-chart.html
Check the syllabus as well.

Have a great weekend!

Quick notes, test, etc

2011-01-26T09:38:00.000-05:00

Don't forget that there is a deadline to turn in concert reports. Check the syllabus!
There WILL be listening on the test - I play a 30 or 60 second snippet from the CDs and you identify the piece. I'll pull from the first 16 pieces (Dowland is the last one - see inside front cover).
I'd also suggest jumping over to Vista and taking the "stupid sample test" if you've never used Vista on a test. Take it multiple times if you're bored!

Kamien problems, Bookstore issues....and another week begins.

2011-01-24T11:58:00.001-05:00

Welcome to the first FULL week of classes for Spring 2011!

1) Thanks to Beth who pointed out that she couldn't register Kamien Connect because it was "closed". They forgot to tell me about having to actually "open" the class with specific availability dates. It's open now.

Kamien Connect would be VERY helpful if you are online a lot, plus it has several "tests" you can take to get ready for the exam [next week!]. It is, however, NOT manadatory.

2) The bookstore has the study guide marked as mandatory. IT IS NOT. Someone somewhere missed the checkbox where I put down that it was OPTIONAL.

The study guide is helpful for some people, for others the Kamien site is better, and yet others prefer to take notes. Make a decision based on how YOU work.

--   ======================================= Tom Rule, the MacMusicGuy      http://www.tomrule.info/ Internet Radio      http://www.last.fm/music/Tom+Rule/ Bands      http://www.tom-and-co.com      http://www.moselydixonproject.com Royalty-Free Broadcast Tracks      http://www.GovAccessMusic.com ========================================

NOT for MusApp - for my piano students

2011-01-19T12:04:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the intrusion, Music Appreciation people. This was the handiest way to post the book for my piano students!

BOOK ONE

BOOK TWO

tom&co album / Three Kings track played the other day

2011-01-18T14:55:00.000-05:00

Someone wanted to know where to get a copy of the Three Kings track (they said it was "ballin' ", which was cool...). Here are the links:

the Whole album (Seasons) - iTunes

That page has links which will open up iTunes

It's also available on CDbaby,

either CDs or downloads

Kamien Textbook available for the iPad

2011-01-13T14:38:00.000-05:00

This is what I was sent. If you decide to go this route, I'd really like to hear from you as the semester progresses on whether you like it or not, advantages/disadvantages, etc!

Kamien available for the iPad:
An interactive, electronic version of Kamien: Music, An Appreciation Brief 7e is available for the iPad through Inkling http://www.inkling.com

You can purchase the full book for $69.99.

To learn more about this version of Kamien, visit http://www.inkling.com.

To explore a free chapter, download the Inkling app to your iPad from the App Store.

After launching Inkling on your iPad, navigate to the Inkling store where you can download a chapter on Classical Music for free.

Know that this version of Kamien: Music, An Appreciation Brief 7e contains all the music supporting the Kamien program.

Here is the URL to the Inkling site Textbook page:
http://www.inkling.com/mh_music_an_appreciation_brief/

Start Spring 2011

2011-01-03T14:55:00.004-05:00

=================

From Class Wed 11/10/10

2010-11-10T14:53:00.000-05:00

Listening for the test:
Be able to ID the title and the period the piece is from (Romantic or 20th century)
Might be a good idea to get a handle on the composers (hint hint)
Free concert:
Friday, 11/19/10 at Mercer Music school @ Noon. Martha Malone and I will be doing some vocal jazz [well, **I** will be playing, not singing!]
Free Concert: Friday December 3 at 7:30 PM. The Macon State Chamber Choir will perform at First Presbyterian church [downtown Macon on Mulberry street, across the street from the Grand Opera House].

Concert report must be turned in at or before the Final exam the next week.

Our recordings from 11/8/2010 - posted online!

2010-11-09T22:01:00.000-05:00

http://www.last.fm/music/Tom+Rule/Music+Appreciation+Experiments

The last 4 tracks are what we recorded the other day. They are freely downloadable - at least for a while - so fetch your copy and amaze your friends and family!

Fall 2010 Recordings posted online

2010-11-09T15:00:00.001-05:00

You can listen to them at

http://www.last.fm/music/Tom+Rule/Music+Appreciation+Experiments

  ======================================= Tom Rule, the MacMusicGuy http://www.tomrule.info/

Internet Radio http://www.last.fm/music/Tom+Rule/

Bands http://www.tom-and-co.com http://www.moselydixonproject.com

Royalty-Free Broadcast Tracks http://www.GovAccessMusic.com ========================================

Vista/WebCT --> 20th C powerpoint

2010-11-08T13:51:00.000-05:00

Thanks for letting me know it wasn't there.

I had an older version stashed on the server - it mostly matches what I've been using in class. I'll try to upload the newest version this afternoon - if I'm successful you'll see 2 versions inside the 20tn Century folder.

Why writing well is important

2010-11-06T10:30:00.001-04:00

 "7 reasons why writing well will help your music career"

actually fits into just about ANY career, unless you end

up in a cubicle your entire life....

.... which is NOT very likely.

CLICK HERE to read the article.

Treat those conert reports like an English paper -

write well!

 ============================= Tom Rule, the MacMusicGuy      http://www.tomrule.info/ Internet Radio      http://www.last.fm/music/Tom+Rule/ Bands      http://www.tom-and-co.com      http://www.moselydixonproject.com Royalty-Free Broadcast Tracks      http://www.GovAccessMusic.com =============================

Vista/WebCT Gradebook note

2010-10-27T13:45:00.000-04:00

Had a question about all the grades in the gradebook because someone was concerned about all the "missing grades" that show up there.

When you go into your gradebook, you'll see this list of grades:

Midterm
Final
Stupid Sample Test
ElMedRen
BarClass
Rom
Final F09
Presentation
Concert 1
Concert 2
Absences
Spr2010 ElMedREn
BarClassSp
Rom20th
Spr2010Final
F10 E-M-R
BaroClass-Fall2010

What's happening here is that there are several columns from previous semesters that Vista will not let me delete. The only grades that will count are highlighted above in red - there will be one more column for the Romantic/20th century test, of course.

A few comments about class stuff......

2010-10-18T14:23:00.000-04:00

1) We're just past mid-term, and I have seen a grand total of 4 concert reports. Remember when I kept hounding you about not waiting until the last minute? There's a real good reason why I said that.

Your report is due by the second class after the concert, and they MUST be completed by the last day of the semester (Friday 12/3).

The only exception is if you attend the Macon State Chamber Choir concert on Friday, Dec. 3 down at First Prebyterian church downtown. If you do, your writeup is due at the final exam.

These concert reports count 15% of your final grade - so if you don't do ANY, the maximum possible grade for the class is automatically an 85.

2) A few notes about the in-class presentations: At mid-term I begin grading them more stringently because you have seen half the class do them already, and know what works and what doesn't as an audience member.

Make CERTAIN you understand what you are about to say - don't just pull a definition off the web and read it.
Know your material well enough so you can TALK to your audience, not read to them!
LOOK at your audience - they'd much rather see your face than your backside, which is what everyone sitting near the door gets to see when you face the computer screen.
SPEAK UP. SPEAK SLOWER than you think. ENUNCIATE.
Make sure you cover ALL the parts listed in the syllabus. If you're not sure - about the form, for example - give it your best shot, tell everyone what you think, and then say "This is my best guess". We can have a conversation about it, which helps everybody in the class!

Concerts......

2010-10-12T14:50:00.001-04:00

Don't forget that Mercer has several concerts a month - many are free. CHECK THE CALENDAR HERE.

Also coming:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church

presents the

Credo Vocal Quartet

in a concert

Saturday, October 23rd at 7:00pm.

The Russian quartet will enterain with a program of Russian sacred songs, Russian folk songs, and contemporary songs.

Founded just four years ago, Credo Quartet was formed with a desire to sing choral music of many countries, musical styles and traditions. This esteemed vocal ensemble produces fresh interpretations of many well-known choral works that are customarily sung by larger choirs. Though the group is very young, each of its members has great working experiences in leading choirs of Saint-Petersburg, Russia.
The ensemble’s name “Credo” is of Latin origin and means “I believe”. All members perform for Orthodox churches during the many beautiful liturgies of the Eastern tradition. Each of the singers professes a deep belief in the ministry of their musical works and they demonstrate a great understanding of the substance of the Divine Liturgies. Indeed, they are believers in the grace, beauty and divine nature of the gift of singing.
The Russian Orthodox musical heritage comprises the heart of Credo’s repertoire. However, the quartet also engages the listener with an array of Russian folk songs, western classical music styles, contemporary works by Russian and international composers.

Tickets $10 in advance [call 478-405-5128], $15 at the door

Kids 12 & under free

859 First Street, Downtown Macon

(A few blocks west & down the hill from the Medical Center)

Participants -
Irina Grinberg — soprano, director

Born in Nizhniy Novgorod. Musical training at the Nizhniy Novgorod Musical College. Later she studied choral conducting under professor D. N. Ardentov at the Academy of Arts in Saint-Petersburg. While a student in the Academy, Irina started performing choral works with the Saint-Petersburg Chamber chorus under N. N. Kornev’s management. In 2000 she organized the vocal ensemble “Credo” which she directs to this day.
Alexey Barashev — tenor

Born in Saint-Petersburg. He graguated from Saint-Petersburg Rimsky-Korsakov’s Conservatory with major in coral conducting. He began serious vocal training and concert activity in 1997. To date Alexey has worked with many choral groups of Saint-Petersburg. He has been in the ensemble since 2007

Marina Chihacheva — mezzo-soprano

Born in Saint-Petersburg. Marina finished college at the Saint-Petersburg Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory. She started her concert career as a soloist with one of city ensembles. Marina first encountered the art of choral singing in chamber chorus “Rossika”. At the present time she sings in the chorus of the Fiodorovskiy Cathedral in Tsarskoe Selo. Since the organization of “Credo” she has been the unchanging mezzo-soprano of the ensemble.
Yan Largin — bass

Born in Saint-Petersburg. He is a graduate of the Glinka Choral Academy and Saint-Petersburg Rimsky-Korsakov’s Conservatory with major in coral conducting. He has sung in numerous chamber choirs, including the Saint-Petersburg Chamber Choir and has performed with well-known directors internationally. He has been in the ensemble since 2003.

Ever heard of a Bowafridgeaphone ???????

2010-10-07T16:19:00.001-04:00

You can see it AND hear it here: 
the Bowafridgeaphone


===========================
Tom Rule, the MacMusicGuy
     http://www.tomrule.info/
Internet Radio
     http://www.last.fm/music/Tom+Rule/
Bands
     http://www.tom-and-co.com
     http://www.moselydixonproject.com
Royalty-Free Broadcast Tracks
     http://www.GovAccessMusic.com
============================

Vids from Mond 9/13/10 class

2010-09-13T13:53:00.000-04:00

Baroque example - watch for the continuo.

Harpshichord Demo

Listen how the sound changes as he plays, and watch for when the keys on the second keyboard move as he plays the first keyboard.

The group Robin R talked about

Rodrigo y Gabriela "Hora Zero" live @ Eurockéenne

Videos from 9/1/10 class

2010-09-01T13:51:00.000-04:00

NOT chant!

A "chest" of recorders

Another Palestrina Mass Example

A Madrigal "La Guerre" - notice all the special effects

Another Madrigal - Fair Phyllis

What Renaissance instrumental music might have sounded like

just for fun - PDQ Bach

Free Concert!

2010-08-30T14:29:00.001-04:00

Monday, September 13

Mercer Brass Quintet presents
American Music for Brass
7:30 p.m.
McCorkle Music Building,
Free admission

http://www2.mercer.edu/Music/calendar.htm for several upcoming FREE concerts at Mercer - including an organ concert on Sept 28 at Christ Church [Walnut Street]

Directions

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Mccorkle+Music+Building+1329+Adams+Street+Macon,+GA&sll=32.830125,-83.672047&sspn=0.101403,0.15398&ie=UTF8&hq=Mccorkle+Music+Building&hnear=1329+Adams+St,+Macon,+Bibb,+Georgia+31201&ll=32.834453,-83.644216&spn=0.013126,0.019248&z=16&iwloc=near

View Larger Map

Vids from Monday 8/29/10 class

2010-08-30T13:54:00.001-04:00

Tuba Quartet - this would be MUCH better live!

Click here to view on youtube

The Music Technology demo I threw together - just a quick something to demo the technologies mentioned in class.

Click here to view on youtube

Music Technology: Good or Evil?

2010-08-27T11:04:00.000-04:00

The Good?

From the New York Times
For Pianist, Software Is Replacing Sonatas
Read more @ http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/21/arts/music/21taub.html?_r=1&ref=technology

The Evil?

From Wired:

Simon Cowell’s X Factor Singing Contest Auto-Tuned Contestants

Read More @ http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2010/08/auto-tuned-xfactor-contestants/#ixzz0xopGFinF

Ahead of the game: 200th Anniversary of 2 Romantic era giants

2010-08-27T10:14:00.000-04:00

The Romantic era-a time of soaring melodies and outsize personalities-spawned numerous tormented souls who burst onto the scene like shooting stars, produced exquisite art, then plunged rapidly into insanity, illness or an early demise, spent by their own glorious flames.

Two of the greatest such figures are celebrating their 200th anniversaries this year: Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849), a lyrical genius whose impeccably crafted music was marked, as Franz Liszt noted, by a "deep melancholy"; and Robert Schumann (1810-1856), whose sense of fantasy overwhelmed his art and, ultimately, his mind.

Read the full article here.

Quick note from Wed 8/18

2010-08-18T14:30:00.000-04:00

1) I just loaded the Disk One tracks listing into the iTunes database, so at least Disc 1 will come up with titles. None of the others disks will come up with anything [unless someone else has already punched in the titles and uploaded them]

2) The Kamien Connect link on the right sidebar is working now. [I had an extra / at the end of the url].

Music App FAQ

2010-08-18T09:45:00.001-04:00

{from this webpage }

What is Music Appreciation?

Music Appreciation is a course that has different goals depending on the instructor, the department, and the school where it is taught. In general, though, it is designed to heighten your enjoyment of music by improving your listening skills, increasing your knowledge, and exposing you to new styles and forms of music.
Most courses concentrate on what is commonly known as "classical" music; symphonies, sontatas, chamber music, opera, and other forms of art music. Many courses, though, also introduce music from different parts of the world as well as more "popular" music styles like jazz, rock, or musical theater.

Why do I need to learn about music in order to enjoy it?

The short answer is "You don't!" You have been listening to (and probably enjoying) music for years. However, music listening is a skill, and some kinds of music are an acquired taste. In a sense music is like wine. Your first few sips might not be enjoyable, but as your experience grows you find your palate growing more and more discerning. Eventually, you develop your own taste in wine. In music appreciation, your listening palate will become more discriminating as well. You may learn that you like some kinds of music that didn't previously appeal to you. You may also learn to hear much more in the music you already know and enjoy.

What is the difference between listening and hearing?

An excellent question! Perhaps the easiest distinction to make is that hearing is an involuntary activity that requires no active participation on your part. If you're awake and your ears are exposed to the air you WILL hear the sounds around you. When you start to pay attention to those sounds, you move from hearing to listening.
Listening itself can happen at different levels of intensity. You may carry on a conversation with a friend while still listening to music or the television. However, the amount of information or satisfaction you get from either activity is directly related to the amount of focus you give to it. In the same way, listening to music can provide many different kinds of experiences. Listening to the radio as a background to study is much different that listening to a recording through headphones or attending a live concert.
It's important to realize that all of these different kinds of listening have value. But, as in the example above, your satisfaction with the experience will depend to a large degree on your own focus.

What is classical music? Why is it called classical?

"Classical" is a term that has two different meanings when it comes to music. In the broadest sense, classical music refers to music of certain forms and genres (symphony, string quartet, sonata, etc.) for certain instrumental combinations (solo violin, symphony orchestra, string quartet, etc) and intended for concert performance. Like many other things in the today's world this definition has become increasingly less useful as other forms and genres of music contributed to and borrowed from the traditions of classical music. In general, though, it's as good a definition as any.
In a narrower sense "classical" refers to a specific period in music history and a specific set of stylistic traits. This is the dominant music style of the late 18th century in Europe as exemplified by the music of Haydn, Mozart, and the young Beethoven. The hallmarks of this style are balance, clarity, and proportion. These qualities reflect the artistic sensibilities of ancient Greece and Rome, the so-called "Classical" civilizations.

What's wrong with the music I like now?

Nothing, and anyone who says differently is just plain wrong (even if it's your instructor). Music in all of its forms is one of the greatest expressions of our humanity, and it all has some value at some time in some circumstance. This is not to say that all music is created equal, or that all music is equally good by some kind of universal artistic standard. The point is that all music provides some kind of window into the experience of being human. It might give pleasure, provoke dancing, encourage reflection, promote relaxation, incite anger, or inspire joy.
There are as many varieties of musical expression as there are facets of human emotion. As your awareness of and appreciation for different musical experiences grow, you'll discover new worlds of sound, artistry, and meaning.

I can't read music. Will I be able to get anything out of this class?

Yes! In fact, this kind of course is designed expressly for someone without the ability to read music. This course is about listening and understanding. While your textbook contains a number of examples of music notation, they are not essential. You'll be able to follow the listening guides and other text material perfectly well without them.

BEGIN FALL 2010

2010-08-11T12:30:00.000-04:00

BEGIN FALL 2010

If you've already taken the class, then you probably ought to UNSUBSCRIBE from this [unless you enjoy being pelted with mail relating to a class you've already taken!] There is a link to unsubscribeat the bottom of the email.]

Relating to Parking:

All students will need to secure the new 2010-2011 Macon State College parking permit.
MACON CAMPUS
Please bring your Macon State Student I.D. card and your license plate number to the kiosk in the Student Life Center lobby as follows:
Wednesday, August 11    8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, August 12     8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Friday, August 13               8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Monday, August 16               8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, August 17      8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

After August 17, parking permits will be available at the Department of Public Safety located on the first floor of the Sciences Annex from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

A Copyright Story

2010-07-01T21:57:00.000-04:00

A songwriter - Jason Robert Brown - took it upon himself to peruse a site where people "trade" files they have accumulated [though the word "trade" is a lie, as used here].

He emailed members of the site and asked them to stop giving away his songs - and then wrote about it. It is an interesting read, and a good explanation of how this whole copyright thing plays out for artists - who still have bills to pay!

http://www.jasonrobertbrown.com/weblog/2010/06/fighting_with_teenagers_a_copy.php

His wife, Georgia Stitt, also wrote an interesting article about this problem:

I'll stop telling the story for just a minute to explain why I was getting angry. For starters, selling or trading copyrighted material to which you do not own the copyright is illegal. So we can start there. But further, selling or trading copyrighted material which I own and sell as part of how I make my living is totally invasive, violating, and well, illegal. If someone distributes a piece of music that I could otherwise have sold, that distributor has stolen directly from me -- taken money out of my pocket. And if that music is published (in my case by Hal Leonard), then you're stealing from them, too. When you're talking about one piece of music, $8 here or there, I suppose it's not a huge deal. But once you open up your sheet music files to the world wide web, we're talking about thousands of dollars at stake, and suddenly it matters.

Experimental Instruments

2010-06-23T08:30:00.000-04:00

So this Italian guy takes apart instruments, puts them together in various ways, makes music with them - and ends up as a "featured soloist" in a major feature film.

Interesting stuff!

The video:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1815813330?bctid=90707126001

The Wired Article:
http://www.wired.com/underwire/2010/06/gallery-strange-instruments

The BassoForte

The Experibass

Student Gradebook

2010-05-05T14:00:00.002-04:00

I just discovered that the downloadable gradebook does NOT take into account absences - so if you have already calculated your grade using that tool, you may have to adjust the score.

Per the syllabus:

0-2 absences = no change

3 absences = -3 points

4 = -6 points

5 = -9 points

6 = automatic F

Our class recordings......

2010-05-03T11:37:00.002-04:00

can be found at

http://www.last.fm/music/Tom+Rule/Music+Appreciation+Experiments

I've also enabled them so you can download them & preserve your performes for posterior I mean posterity [or use them to annoy a sibling....].

20th Century roundup

2010-04-19T11:23:00.003-04:00

If 20th century music history is a chocolate cream pie, all we did in class was smell the aroma - we didn't even touch the thing! But since we'd all like to go home at semester's end, we have to move on to America's Classical Music on Wednesday.

Before we do, though, I want to play the piece below for you. It ties together several of the 20th C characteristics we've seen:

it uses noise as a sound source,
uses rhythmic speech as a melody,
sometimes has a melody & sometimes doesn't,
and requires a lot of technology.

In particular you'll hear some bongo/conga type sounds that are synced up with spoken syllables - that was done with sampling (as far as I can tell).

Take a listen and see if you can connect what you are hearing with the concepts we discussed in class.

Talk Radio Screencast

View more presentations from Tom Rule.

If robots are playing it, is it music (even if Pat Metheny is playing along?)

2010-03-25T20:40:00.001-04:00

http://emusician.com/interviews/feature/pat_metheny_well_oiled_machine/

YouTube - Remember when I said in class.......

2010-03-23T11:09:00.003-04:00

that it was a copyright infringement case waiting to happen?

It's happened - actually, it's BEEN happening. Meida gian Viacom sued Google (which owns youtube) over copyright infringement. This is a case that is going to take years and teh lawyers are going to get rich.

The lawsuit began in 2007 and is asking for over $1 billion in damages.

CLICK HERE for some details, including screenshots of documents made public this week. There are some interesting back-and-forth comments on that site, and a few "whoops!" instances.

CDs & your iPod/MP3 player [Aug 10 version]

2010-03-16T14:32:00.007-04:00

I've been surprised at the number of people who have no idea how to transfer the music on your CDs to your MP3 player/iPod. The details will vary depending on whether you are using Macs or Windows, and what your player is/how it works. however, here is a quick idea on how to get the tracks into a more protable format.

The directions are going to be vague, but should help.
iPod/iPhone owners (this works for both Macs & Windows machines):

Call up iTunes. [If you don't have iTunes on your computer, go to iTunes.com and downlaod/install it].
Check the iTunes preferences. There's an option to set how iTunes will import CDs - I suggest using "Apple Lossless" as the format. If you really don't have a lot of hard drive space on your computer OR not a lot of memory on your player, use MP3 set to 256. If you REALLY don't have much room, set it to 128.
Pop in a CD. iTunes will either automatically start importing the CD, or will ask you what to do, or will just add the CD to the list, there on the right.
If it doesn't import automatically, click on the name of the CD. Highlight the tracks you want to import. (Click the top track, then shift-click the bottom one.)
In the advanced menu, select "Create Apple Lossless" or "Create MP3..." - it'll say something similar to that!
Plug your i-whatever to the computer. It should show up in the right-hand column in iTunes.
Click your music library icon [It says "Music", at the top].
Select some file. Click-n-drag them to the iPhone/iPod icon on the right.
The files should copy over.

Other MP3 players
You've got a few options. YES, you can use iTunes. You can also use Windows Media Player, or any of several MP3 rippers out there (there are many that are free. Some are good, some not so good...).
The short version: After "ripping" the files [i.e. getting them copied over from the CDs to the hard drive] - for a lot of players, all you have to do is open up two windows - one from the computer where the audio is stashed, the other to your MP3 player. Then drag the files to the MP3 player to copy them over.
The longer version:
If you are going to use iTunes:

Follow steps 1-5 in the iPhone list above.
Plug your player into the USB port.
Macs: You should see the player show up on the Desktop. Windows: Open up My Computer.
Doubleclick the icon to open a window. Slide the window over a bit.
Macs: Open up where iTunes is stashing your files [usually Documents-->Music--->;iTunes, then nose around the folders. try looking inside the "Compilations" folder.)
Windows: Open up My Documents---->My Music--->iTunes. Nose around the folders there - look for the "Compilations" folder.
Drag the files from the Computer---->iTunes window to the MP3 player window.

That should do the trick.
I'm not familiar enough with Windows Media Player to really type up anything helpful - if you know it well enought to give some detailed instructions, type 'em up and send them to me. I'll post it!

Links from Feb 1 class presentation (Renaissance)

2010-02-01T12:05:00.002-05:00

Recorder example - "chests" of instruments

Palestrina Motet

Palestrina Mass

Madrigals: La Guerre, Fair Phyllis

Instrumental example

Just for Fun: PDQ Bach Sonata Immorata
--------------------More about PDQ Bach

Medieval Period: What Monks are NOT like.........

2010-01-27T08:29:00.000-05:00

Music Technology video

2010-01-25T14:55:00.003-05:00

Here is the Music Tech demo (WARNING: high cheese factor!!!) that I mentioned in class. You'll see a quickie examples of a Synth, a sample-playback instrument, MIDI, and how you record MIDI and audio on a computer using these technologies.

Incidentally, the audio I played from the DSi in class today formed the basis of a tune posted on my last.fm page. It's called "Fun" and can be heard at http://www.last.fm/music/Tom+Rule/One+Syllable+Songs.

I worked up that bit you heard in class today, then transferred each track of audio into the computer - and added additional tracks as well as some effects on the DSi audio before mixing it down to 2 tracks and loading it into last.fm.

Can a phone/game system be an instrument?

2010-01-20T11:43:00.002-05:00

Korg KAOSS

iPhone Band Demo

Korg DS-10 for the Nintendo DSi

Jazz - something to study

2009-11-30T13:48:00.002-05:00

I've loaded the Jazz PPT I use in class to WebCT - download it for your notes.

If you don't have Microsoft Office on your machine, I strongly suggest you check out the FREE OpenOffice (available for Macs as well - or you can use Neo-office if you have an older version of the MacOS).

Download it, install it, and you'll be able to open/view/edit/create Office docs without paying any $.

VIdeos shown in class - Beethoven's 5th, double-stops, harmonics

2009-10-14T14:03:00.003-04:00

These are the Beethoven's 5th videos I showed in class today. Enjoy!

Toscanini

Karajan

New Horizons in Music Appreciation

The Argument

Redneck Tenors

Redneck Tenors @ America's Got Talent

Double Stops

Harmonics - listen to the violin soloist playing TWO harmonics at the same time. It's a combination of harmonics and double-stopping.

Test Suggestions

2009-10-07T14:36:00.001-04:00

1) Make sure you view the video thing, posted on the blog here.

2) There are some study sheet suggestions on the blog as well. These are less detailed lists and more suggestions for things to pay attention to: Baroque, Classical.

3) You might want to pay attention to the differences in the music between the two eras - what is different, musically speaking, between the two eras?

4) SOmething else to think about - what's the difference in the Baroque-era SOLO concerto and the Concerto Grosso ?

Have a great break - see you Monday at the LIBRARY!

No Class Monday - Instead, watch this video on Classical era

2009-10-04T18:06:00.004-04:00

I'm sick - as you'll be able to hear in this video. Rather than infecting all of you, I decided it would be better to create this - hopefully my machine hasn't been infected with this virus!

It's probably NOT flu, thankfully... more likely an upper respiratory infection.

We'll double up on the presentations Wednesday. Meanwhile, watch this and take some notes.

Click on the play button, there at the bottom. You'll need speakers or headphones.

Rule Classical era Last part

View more presentations from maconmacguy.

Is it music if a computer composed it?

2009-10-02T14:28:00.002-04:00

A professor has written a computer program that analyzes a composer's music, and then composes a new piece in the style of that composer. Interesting stuff - and it really raises a question about what music is, and what makes it "good".

The original article is at:

http://arstechnica.com/science/news/2009/09/virtual-composer-makes-beautiful-musicand-stirs-controversy.ars?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss

...and here are some mp3s of the machine's work:

http://arts.ucsc.edu/faculty/cope/mp3page.htm

Mozart Theme and Variations

2009-09-30T13:44:00.001-04:00

Here's the youtube video I showed in class today.

Direct Link

Lego Harpsichord

2009-09-21T14:18:00.003-04:00

A Lego Harpsichord?Yup. A guy actually built a full working harpsichord out of legos. Really.

Details here.
You can hear it here.
A short Video is here.

The British Audio Archives

2009-09-08T21:15:00.001-04:00

The sound archive of the British Library (trust me, it's HUGE) has gone
online - for free! There is a TON of stuff here you'll never hear anywhere
else - if you have a few minutes, take a listen!

The article is at
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/sep/03/british-library-traditional-music

There are several soundfiles in the article you can hear.

The archive is located at
http://sounds.bl.uk/

----
This might be a good break from the Music Appreciation test!

Instruments of the Orchestra Links

2009-08-26T13:51:00.002-04:00

Instruments of the Orchestra guide
http://www.bbc.co.uk/orchestras/guide/

ID the Instrument game
http://www.thirteen.org/publicarts/orchestra/

Flashier tour of the Orchestra
http://www.sfskids.org/flash/instruments/instruments.swf?dom=3

---
Plus links to the "cheesy Music Tech videos" to be shown in class:
Synthesizer
Sample Playback kybd
MIDI as a word processor?
MIDI & Softsynths
MIDI recording

Is it music to play an entire building?

2009-08-11T09:41:00.002-04:00

from http://www.wtop.com/?nid=114&sid=1735146
David Byrne makes music with London building

from http://www.roundhouse.org.uk/whats-on/productions/playing-the-building--3268
Playing the Building: An Installation by David Byrne

from http://www.davidbyrne.com/art/art_projects/playing_the_building/index.php
Playing the Building

Playing the Building is a sound installation in which the infrastructure, the physical plant of the building, is converted into a giant musical instrument. Devices are attached to the building structure — to the metal beams and pillars, the heating pipes, the water pipes — and are used to make these things produce sound. The activations are of three types: wind, vibration, striking. The devices do not produce sound themselves, but they cause the building elements to vibrate, resonate and oscillate so that the building itself becomes a very large musical instrument.

Click here for a video

Is this music?

Last day of class - videos

2009-04-29T13:49:00.002-04:00

Charlie Parker Youtube search

Kind of Blue 50th Anniversary

More Music Technology - verrrry cool!

2009-04-27T10:21:00.002-04:00

This was an encore of a piece performed by a couple of "Tesla Coils" - which are basically gizmoe capable of generating very high voltages. The sound you ehar is actually the sound of the electric arcs produced by the coils - I don't know how they tuned them.

This was the final night of the SEAMUS convention, an Electro-Acoustic music making association.

An interesting Friday tidbit.....

2009-04-24T12:37:00.001-04:00

Since I was talking about music technolgoy the other day...

here's an article about a HANDMADE turntable... partly made from a Harley Davidson!

Enjoy your weekend!

Links from today's class - painos, synths, and screencasts!

2009-04-20T13:47:00.002-04:00

Modded Piano article

Analog Synth/Dancer/Video thing

Demo of the Minimoog

Buchla Modular synth demo

Moog Modular Synth demo

Nintendo DS synth - the Korg DS-10

"TALK RADIO" Screencast

Talk Radio Screencast

View more presentations from maconmacguy.

New Musical Instruments @ Ga Tech

2009-03-24T11:28:00.002-04:00

Original Article here

"It was like a low-stakes X Prize for music as musicians, inventors and hobbyists competed against each other in the first annual Guthman Musical Instrument Competition at Georgia Tech for cash prizes of $10,000."

There are some interesting things in this article. Take a look at the some of the creations that were shown! The article includes sound AND video.