Music as a Form of Expression

Writing Songs About Trainsby Brendan Corey Benson

1. the action of making known one's thoughts or feelings

Oxford English Dictionary, 2014

To communicate effectively, it is important to first Explore

Your understanding.

Let’s consider Hong Kong CENTRAL MTR

FeelingSense

& Perception

Perspective

1. a particular attitude towards a way of regarding something; a point-of-view

i.e. your point-of-view is your expression

What is Your Perspective [your point-of-view]

of Hong Kong’s CENTRAL MTR?

How does Central’s MTR make you feel?describe the station

describe the traindescribe the people riding the train

What is your Perspective of Central’s MTR?

Musically Expressing HONG KONG’s CENTRAL MTR feat. Mr. Jason Kennedy

and his perspective

How does my Expression[my point-of-view] of Mexico City’s MTR

- Using Music -make you feel?

“Metro Lines”

How does “Metro Lines” make you feel?Predict my description of the stationPredict my description of the train

Predict my description of the people on the train

my description of the stationSightsdull and darkworn marble stairsgarbage on the floorbroken escalatorsviolent newspaperscrowded halls

Touchsmooth marblesticky railingsstucco wallsdirty benches

Smellsmold and mustcar exhaustdustcorn and perfume

Soundsannouncements in Spanish through broken speakershawkers selling goodsloud crowds of peoplecouples talkingcouples fighting

my description of the trainSightsdimly lightblackness & emergency bluecrowdman on glass / beggarschildren selling candycouples kissing

Touchsweat on my headpeople all around me, touching mewarm steel posts because it’s hot

Smellssteel-like metallicbody odorsmold and must

Soundshawkers selling goodsSpanish spoken loudlytrain creaking and squeakingalarms when the power goes outcomplaint and annoyance

my description of the peopleSightschildren; youth; adult elderlyclean and dirtygold and silvertattoos / dangerous peoplebig, tall, smallsad, happy, dull

Touchheat coming from their bodiesbreath on my facepushing into othersothers pushing me

Smellsbody odor cologneperfumedirty hair

Soundscouples kissingSpanish spoken loudlywhispers about usbeggars begginghawkers hawkingMariachi music playing on portable speakers for saleprivate whistles

“Metro Lines” is my Expressionof my Perspective:

My attitude.

Did you feel it?

What will you express?