Intro to Music MUL 1010

Spring 2015Dr. Melissa Slawsky

Welcome!•Intro to Music- MUL 1010•Monday nights •7:00-9:45pm•Performing Arts 107

About your Instructor:Dr. Melissa Slawsky•Pianist•Former violinist•Piano Teacher (19+ yrs.)•Church Accompanist•Teaching, Performing, Research

Keeping in Contact:Preferences-1. Blackboard:2. Email: mmaccarelli@hotmail.comand/or mslawsky@hccfl.edu

3. Phone: No campus voicemailHome: (727) 754-6164Cell: (727) 643-9224

Introductions

How about you?• Name• Major and year at HCC• Current or intended occupation, etc…• Musical experience and interests• What you’re hoping to get out of the

class• Favorite musicians, bands, genres of

music

Intro to Music:•Music Fundamentals•Survey (history)•Musical Styles and Trends•Multi-, Inter-, and Cross- Disciplinary Connections

Text:•http://www.amazon.com/The-Vintage-Guide-Classical-Music/dp/0679728058

•It’s cheap! $16.28 via amazon.com

Talking Points/Guided Notes:

•The majority of your materials utilized will come from your “talking points” or guided notes.

•A packet of “talking points” or guided note-taking materials will be provided to you. You can also download them via Blackboard (coming soon).

Optional Text:

•Electronic/Digital editions are available for purchase and rent through amazon.com and other retailers

*Kindle for PC is a great app if you do not own a Kindle or other e-reader.

http://www.amazon.com/Music-An-Appreciation-Brief-Edition-ebook/dp/B006PKVSBY

•CDs available

(Youtube.com is an alternative)

•Listening Guides

Assignments• 5 Performance

critiques-Attend live concerts,

recitals, performances-Write up a little blurb

(template available)-Attach a program or

ticket stub(or provide photographic

evidence you were there)

*HCC has tons of free music events

*Get creative- Live music is everywhere!

Assignments•5 Performance

critiques-Youtube and

otherPerformance

videoswill only count for

75% at the most.

Term Paper & Presentation

• Pick a topic that interests you• 850-1000 words• Presentation in front of the

class(10-15 min.)

Expectations:1. Cite your sources! (Give credit where credit is due)2. Relate your topic to anything

learned in the class3. Don’t be afraid to make it

personal… (why did you pick topic, etc.)

4. Don’t bore us…..

Assessments

• 4 Proficiency tests (50% of grade, 12.5%

each)-Music Fundamentals-Middle Ages %

Renaissance-Classical & Romantic-20th Century

Assessments

• 5 Proficiency tests

*Each proficiency test contains 4 (optional) at-home extra credit opportunities for an additional 25 points

Examples:-Watch a movie -Find me a new example-View a concert -Attempt to perform

Assessments

• Preparation *Each lecture will

contain “talking points” to guide your note taking

(fill in the blanks as you hear the lecture)

*Jeopardy*Quiz practice

Final Exam

• Don’t stress… The Presentation based on your term paper counts as the final exam (given the last two days of class).

Tips:•Look for overarching trends and patterns

•Make “connections” between what you’re learning and your daily lives

•Remember the “forest” (not just the individual ‘trees.’)

Let’s get started….

What is music?

Name that ritual….

Name that TV show….

Name that movie….

Name that horror movie/show….

Video Games?

The “Popular” Classics•Beethoven- Für Elise

•J.S. Bach- Toccata & Fugue in d minor

•Beethoven- “Symphony No. 5”

•Pachelbel- “Canon in d minor”

•Mozart- Eine Kleine Nacht Musik

•Rossini- “William Tell” Overture

•Khatchaturian- “Sabre Danse”

•Tchaikovsky- “Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy” from “The Nutcracker Suite”

“Remixes”/“Sampled” Music-•Jem- “They” (Bach’s 12th Prelude from book II,

written in 1730ish)

•Bus Driver- “Imaginary Places” (from Bach’s Flute Concerto in a minor, BWV1044)

•Enigma- “Sadeness Pt. I” uses 9th and 10th Century Gregorian Chant)

What is music?•One of the most abstract and mathematical of the

arts•Most universal, yet inexpressible

•One of the most prominent elements in our lives, yet indescribable

What is music? (cntd.)

Music requires one to:•Be specific with exact control

•Instantaneously subdivide time•Learn a shorthand notation

•Reflect the times of its creation•Coordinate muscle movements

•While using emotive force to express what the music must convey

Music & LanguageConnections between music and language:

AcquisitionDevelopment

Processing

Mystical & Occult Force

Branches of Psychology and Sociology

“The Mozart Effect”

“Classical music” improved kids’ test scores?

“The Mozart Effect?”

Sports/Exercise Physiology

•Grip strength

•Endurance

•Motivation

•Respiration

•Heart Rate

•Blood Pressure

•Muscle Strength

Health/Medical Benefits•Epileptic seizures

•Reduce stress (cortisol)

•Boost immune system

•Lower heart rate and blood pressure

•Focus

•Perceived pain

•Memory

Music & Memory

Oliver Sacks- “Musicophilia”•Parkinson’s

•Tourette’s

•Aphasia (from stroke or otherwise)

•Alzheimer’s disease

“Music is much more than a beautiful luxury: It is a fundamental way of expressing our humanity—and it is often our best medicine”.

Military and War Applications?

“Songs of War”- Documentary describing various songs and music used as “no-touch torture.”

•Detainee interrogations

•“Mind control”

Coming Up Next ClassMusic Fundamentals (Ch. 1-10)1. Sound: Pitch, Dynamics, and Tone Color 2. Performing Media: Voices and Instruments 3. Rhythm 4. Music Notation 5. Melody 6. Harmony 7. Key 8. Musical Texture 9. Musical Form 10. Musical Style

Then…. A survey of music history middle ages through

today…

HomeworkBy next class, I want a list of 3 of your favorite songs/pieces. (any style)

Go to www.musicnotes.com or other website and print off the first sample page for free (piano instrumentation)

We will discuss the commonalities and differences between all of the chosen works within the next few weeks.