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Sound Lab
Graphic Score Assignment (Reflection 1)
January 10, 2020
January 10, 2020
Kinesthetics Inclusivity and Awareness in My Life (Reflection 2)
January 17, 2020
When I practiced my violin this week, I became more aware of how my posture effected both my body and playing ability. One time, on a day I felt really tired, I played my violin for about 2 hours and noticed that my tone quality was poor, and my back really hurt. I thought back to when we discussed the importance of kinesthetic awareness in class, and I explored other ways I could sit or stand to improve my posture and performance ability. During my rehearsals with the Western Symphony Orchestra, I would start to feel more and more tired which caused me to slouch my shoulders, maybe cross legs, and tilt my head a bit too far over my chin rest. When I thought back to the article What Every Musician Needs to Know About the Body, it states that the first balance point focuses on where the head rests on top of the spine. With that in mind, I sat a bit straighter and rested my head in a more upright position on my chin rest. This action caused me to straighten out my violin so that the top of it was parallel to the ceiling. Now I had better posture and a more stable surface to play on with my bow. When I practice on my own or have a studio lesson, I would play standing up which results in swaying or shifting my weight between each leg. My violin Professor noticed this, so she would tell me to stand with my feet hip-width apart and my shoulders gently pulled back. Sometimes I don’t really enjoy standing this way, however, it makes me feel stable and confident in both my posture and my playing ability.
January 17, 2020
When I practiced my violin this week, I became more aware of how my posture effected both my body and playing ability. One time, on a day I felt really tired, I played my violin for about 2 hours and noticed that my tone quality was poor, and my back really hurt. I thought back to when we discussed the importance of kinesthetic awareness in class, and I explored other ways I could sit or stand to improve my posture and performance ability. During my rehearsals with the Western Symphony Orchestra, I would start to feel more and more tired which caused me to slouch my shoulders, maybe cross legs, and tilt my head a bit too far over my chin rest. When I thought back to the article What Every Musician Needs to Know About the Body, it states that the first balance point focuses on where the head rests on top of the spine. With that in mind, I sat a bit straighter and rested my head in a more upright position on my chin rest. This action caused me to straighten out my violin so that the top of it was parallel to the ceiling. Now I had better posture and a more stable surface to play on with my bow. When I practice on my own or have a studio lesson, I would play standing up which results in swaying or shifting my weight between each leg. My violin Professor noticed this, so she would tell me to stand with my feet hip-width apart and my shoulders gently pulled back. Sometimes I don’t really enjoy standing this way, however, it makes me feel stable and confident in both my posture and my playing ability.
Body Percussion Assignment (Reflection 3)
January 24, 2020
Music: "Like I'm Gonna Lose You" --> Instrumentals by Vitamin String Quartet
January 24, 2020
Music: "Like I'm Gonna Lose You" --> Instrumentals by Vitamin String Quartet
A Tribe Called Red Ft. Black Bear – “Stadium Pow Wow” (Reflection 4&5)
January 31, 2020
January 31, 2020
The song “Stadium Pow Wow” was created by a First Nations group called A Tribe Called Red which also featured an indigenous Canadian drum group called Black Bear. The song includes traditional First Nations chants, loud stomps for percussion (stomps similar to the “We Will Rock You” anthem by Queen), and electronic beats which create explosions of sound. When I first listened to this song, and watched the music video, I was blown away. Through the traditional chants mixed with electronic music and drumbeats, I could feel power and strength behind the song. This song, in particular, stood out to me because it had that diversity of modern electronic music mixed with traditional First Nations music. Especially the people in the music video for “Stadium Pow Wow.” It showed indigenous people, of all ages, having fun, doing what makes them happy. Some clips in the video showed young women boxing which made me feel empowered and also very impressed (those women were really good). Other clips showed children running, and skateboarding, as well as young adults driving around in a car. They even had a DJ is spinning records, and man in a field dressed in traditional First Nations clothing. Overall, I feel that music like “Stadium Pow Wow” should help people feel encouraged to learn more about indigenous cultures. If we, as a community, want to be more accepting and appreciative of each other’s cultures, we need to ask the appropriate questions and educate ourselves, that way, we can celebrate our diversities properly, without being absurd or offensive.
References
(n.d). Retrieved January 28, 2020, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAEmjW9J3_o.
Ahsan, S. (2016, June 21). 'This is us connecting to the heart of what we do': A Tribe Called Red
premiere The Manawan Session. Retrieved from
https://nationalpost.com/entertainment/music/this-is-us-connecting-to-the-heart-of-what
we-do-a-tribe-called-red-premiere-the-manawan-session.
Black Bear. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://tribalspiritmusic.com/artists/black-bear/.
Collar, M. (n.d.). A Tribe Called Red: Biography & History. Retrieved from
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/a-tribe-called-red-mn0002917730/biography.
Murphy, S. (n.d.). A Tribe Called Red "Stadium Pow Wow". Retrieved from
http://exclaim.ca/music/article/a_tribe_called_red-stadium_pow_wow.
References
(n.d). Retrieved January 28, 2020, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAEmjW9J3_o.
Ahsan, S. (2016, June 21). 'This is us connecting to the heart of what we do': A Tribe Called Red
premiere The Manawan Session. Retrieved from
https://nationalpost.com/entertainment/music/this-is-us-connecting-to-the-heart-of-what
we-do-a-tribe-called-red-premiere-the-manawan-session.
Black Bear. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://tribalspiritmusic.com/artists/black-bear/.
Collar, M. (n.d.). A Tribe Called Red: Biography & History. Retrieved from
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/a-tribe-called-red-mn0002917730/biography.
Murphy, S. (n.d.). A Tribe Called Red "Stadium Pow Wow". Retrieved from
http://exclaim.ca/music/article/a_tribe_called_red-stadium_pow_wow.
Adaption and Learning/Learning Methods Reflection (Reflection 6)
February 24, 2020
February 24, 2020
- I have been told that I am very self-critical and hard on myself whether it was about a performance I had, presentation, or a test
- Every Tuesday morning, I have a violin lesson with my studio professor
- I practice a good amount during the week to prepare
- When my lesson comes, I’m not able to play as well as I know I can when I’m practicing by myself
- I would feel nervous to play for my studio prof, even though I have played for her many times
- When I am about to play for her, my arms and legs feel almost numb, mind draws a blank, and, depending on how prepared I am, my body would tremble
- Sometimes I feel my heart pounding in my chest, I only get that if I’m not as prepared as I should be
- I would feel annoyed and frustrated, then I would get this voice in the back of my head telling me that I’m not a good violinist
- I also notice that when I give people my opinion, like my older sister, about something, she would say something like “Well, I hear what you’re saying, but this is what I think…”
- There’s a lack of communication at times because she is not always open to hearing other people’s opinions
- She gets set on what she has to say and doesn’t really listen to other people’s opinions (especially, for example, when I try to give her advice)
- I try to give my opinion or advise, and she would shut me down or walk away, mostly when we’re talking about something very personal
- I find it difficult sometimes when I give my opinion or advise, and people shut me out
- Sometimes I do the same depending on where the advice is about and who it’s coming from
- My problem is also shutting people out sometimes when they give me any praise because I disagree
- My studio prof. would tell me that I played well, however, there are some sections I could improve on more
- I disagree because in my head, I played terribly, and everything could have been way better than what I had just produced
Leadership Exercise Proposal (Reflection 7)
March 2, 2020
For my leadership exercise, I had an idea to teach the class a clapping sequence. The sequence in total is 49 counts, with 2 counts of 7 for each grouping of the sequence. The main actions of the sequence include tapping your thighs, clapping, and snapping your fingers in a specific pattern. The first step in teaching this sequence to the class, would be for me to go through the sequence 3 or 4 times on my own so that the class can hear how it sounds. Next, I will teach them the first 14 counts, which is the same 7 counts clapped 2 times. Once they have done that a few times, I will teach them the next 14 counts. Then we will put both parts together. I will teach them this way until they know the full sequence. If we have time, I will split the class into 2 groups and we will clap the sequence in a round (one group will start, the next group will come in after they clap the first part of the sequence). The main purpose of this exercise is for the class to listen to each other and maintain a steady tempo.
March 2, 2020
For my leadership exercise, I had an idea to teach the class a clapping sequence. The sequence in total is 49 counts, with 2 counts of 7 for each grouping of the sequence. The main actions of the sequence include tapping your thighs, clapping, and snapping your fingers in a specific pattern. The first step in teaching this sequence to the class, would be for me to go through the sequence 3 or 4 times on my own so that the class can hear how it sounds. Next, I will teach them the first 14 counts, which is the same 7 counts clapped 2 times. Once they have done that a few times, I will teach them the next 14 counts. Then we will put both parts together. I will teach them this way until they know the full sequence. If we have time, I will split the class into 2 groups and we will clap the sequence in a round (one group will start, the next group will come in after they clap the first part of the sequence). The main purpose of this exercise is for the class to listen to each other and maintain a steady tempo.
System Awareness and Coordination (Reflection 8)
March 22, 2020
I find that there are some things I am more aware of than others, especially when it comes to playing my violin or doing schoolwork. After reading the articles about posture, I noticed a few things about my habits and behaviours during the week.
When I practice my violin, I usually stand when I practice, so my feet about hip width apart, shoulders relaxed, and that’s about it. I start playing holding my violin high, a bit above my shoulder. However, as I continue to play one of my pieces, my posture unconsciously caves in and I end up a hunched over. I also noticed, that when I’m really focused on my violin playing, I make a duckface. I didn’t realize this until recently when I was practicing, and I actually felt my lips pursing together making the duckface.
Playing in front of my studio professor is not much different. Same thing happens, I end up looking like the Hunch-Back of Notre Dame. In addition to that, my body tenses up because I get nervous, and I end up almost choking the neck of my violin and clenching my teeth from putting pressure on my violin’s chin rest. It’s like I’m trying to make myself small, but not purposely, it’s just how my body automatically reacts when I get nervous.
When I do homework for school, I tend to slouch. I sit on a chair in front of a desk in my room and I cannot sit still. I would flip from sitting normally to sitting on my legs, on one leg, and sometimes with one leg on my desk. But I still manage to slouch a bit, mostly because I’m bored and can’t sit still.
Reading this article made me pay close attention to what I do and how I do things during the week. It was interesting to discover these things about myself that I did not know about before.
March 22, 2020
I find that there are some things I am more aware of than others, especially when it comes to playing my violin or doing schoolwork. After reading the articles about posture, I noticed a few things about my habits and behaviours during the week.
When I practice my violin, I usually stand when I practice, so my feet about hip width apart, shoulders relaxed, and that’s about it. I start playing holding my violin high, a bit above my shoulder. However, as I continue to play one of my pieces, my posture unconsciously caves in and I end up a hunched over. I also noticed, that when I’m really focused on my violin playing, I make a duckface. I didn’t realize this until recently when I was practicing, and I actually felt my lips pursing together making the duckface.
Playing in front of my studio professor is not much different. Same thing happens, I end up looking like the Hunch-Back of Notre Dame. In addition to that, my body tenses up because I get nervous, and I end up almost choking the neck of my violin and clenching my teeth from putting pressure on my violin’s chin rest. It’s like I’m trying to make myself small, but not purposely, it’s just how my body automatically reacts when I get nervous.
When I do homework for school, I tend to slouch. I sit on a chair in front of a desk in my room and I cannot sit still. I would flip from sitting normally to sitting on my legs, on one leg, and sometimes with one leg on my desk. But I still manage to slouch a bit, mostly because I’m bored and can’t sit still.
Reading this article made me pay close attention to what I do and how I do things during the week. It was interesting to discover these things about myself that I did not know about before.
Voices of Hope, From Within Prison Walls, Amanda Weber TEDxMinneapolisSalon (Reflection 9)
March 27, 2020
After watching Amanda Weber’s TEDx Talk, I feel that I know more about the emotional and human side of women who have been incarcerated. Amanda talked a lot about how very few people understand the real hardships that these women have or do experience things such as mental illness, abuse, in and out of foster care, or parents who abuse substances, before they were sent to prison.
I think the reason why some people do not take these things into consideration is because we grow up being told that bad people go to prison when they do bad things. Not many people think about why those men and women have been detained or what their story is that brought them to where they are. Despite some people’s actions and behaviours, at the end of the day, we are all still human beings.
I find it very incredible that Amanda has been working with these women and sharing her gift of music with them. As a result, she has made a huge positive impact on many of these incarcerated women now have the opportunity to discover and share their musical potential which is so beautiful. I think that more women and men who have been detained and such should have access to music as a right, because music has been proven to have positive impact on both the physical and mental well-being of people.
Music is something that many people have access to and use daily. Any art, really, can have the same impact on people, whether it is painting, drawing, writing, or dancing. They are all ways that allow for self-expression. I think that places such as mental health hospitals, other hospitals in general, and rehab institutions should allow for those people to have access to music because of the benefits music can provide for people.
From the lecture and the TEDx Talk, I learned how important it is to not be so quick to judge people because we do not know what their story is, and it is not fair to make assumptions. I also discovered that music has a way of bringing people together, even though not everyone has access to it. Everyone has a story, we just have to be open to listening, no matter who that person is or where they come from.
March 27, 2020
After watching Amanda Weber’s TEDx Talk, I feel that I know more about the emotional and human side of women who have been incarcerated. Amanda talked a lot about how very few people understand the real hardships that these women have or do experience things such as mental illness, abuse, in and out of foster care, or parents who abuse substances, before they were sent to prison.
I think the reason why some people do not take these things into consideration is because we grow up being told that bad people go to prison when they do bad things. Not many people think about why those men and women have been detained or what their story is that brought them to where they are. Despite some people’s actions and behaviours, at the end of the day, we are all still human beings.
I find it very incredible that Amanda has been working with these women and sharing her gift of music with them. As a result, she has made a huge positive impact on many of these incarcerated women now have the opportunity to discover and share their musical potential which is so beautiful. I think that more women and men who have been detained and such should have access to music as a right, because music has been proven to have positive impact on both the physical and mental well-being of people.
Music is something that many people have access to and use daily. Any art, really, can have the same impact on people, whether it is painting, drawing, writing, or dancing. They are all ways that allow for self-expression. I think that places such as mental health hospitals, other hospitals in general, and rehab institutions should allow for those people to have access to music because of the benefits music can provide for people.
From the lecture and the TEDx Talk, I learned how important it is to not be so quick to judge people because we do not know what their story is, and it is not fair to make assumptions. I also discovered that music has a way of bringing people together, even though not everyone has access to it. Everyone has a story, we just have to be open to listening, no matter who that person is or where they come from.
Pilot Project: Lauda with Kellie Walsh (Reflection 10)
April 3, 2020
Everyone responds to music differently. However, music is also a gift that can help many people through either difficult times or to just connect with their emotions and share it with the community. I think that Kellie Walsh’s presentation about her youth choir Lauda, was very interesting because she explained how she began this program for the sake of children with disabilities who may have been denied the opportunity, because of their disabilities.
I also liked learning about the benefits from the point of view of a music therapist because they know how music is connected to one’s mental well-being and the kind of characteristics that music can promote for people.
It was interesting to see the specific areas of focus from the view of a conductor, and music therapist. Some of these areas of focus are very similar such as, self-awareness, leadership, socialization, and mentorship. All these characteristics are for the well-being of the children they work with, which is really good of them to be aware of these things. It is interesting how many children are in this program, and how they all have different abilities and capabilities.
Kellie also described the separation of children who are neurotypical vs. neuro atypical. Neurotypical meaning people who do not present any abnormal patterns of thought or behaviour. While neuro atypical refers to those who have some type of disability in terms of their thoughts or actions. I do like how Kellie wanted to help those who are neuro atypical and make a positive impact on their lives through music.
It’s really inspiring how Kellie put this program together and accepts children despite whatever disabilities they may have. The focus is using music to help them grow and develop in a positive atmosphere with positive and encouraging people.
April 3, 2020
Everyone responds to music differently. However, music is also a gift that can help many people through either difficult times or to just connect with their emotions and share it with the community. I think that Kellie Walsh’s presentation about her youth choir Lauda, was very interesting because she explained how she began this program for the sake of children with disabilities who may have been denied the opportunity, because of their disabilities.
I also liked learning about the benefits from the point of view of a music therapist because they know how music is connected to one’s mental well-being and the kind of characteristics that music can promote for people.
It was interesting to see the specific areas of focus from the view of a conductor, and music therapist. Some of these areas of focus are very similar such as, self-awareness, leadership, socialization, and mentorship. All these characteristics are for the well-being of the children they work with, which is really good of them to be aware of these things. It is interesting how many children are in this program, and how they all have different abilities and capabilities.
Kellie also described the separation of children who are neurotypical vs. neuro atypical. Neurotypical meaning people who do not present any abnormal patterns of thought or behaviour. While neuro atypical refers to those who have some type of disability in terms of their thoughts or actions. I do like how Kellie wanted to help those who are neuro atypical and make a positive impact on their lives through music.
It’s really inspiring how Kellie put this program together and accepts children despite whatever disabilities they may have. The focus is using music to help them grow and develop in a positive atmosphere with positive and encouraging people.
Photo used under Creative Commons from chocolatedazzles