I personally thought the article that discussed the concept of 'Rhythmaculture' to be the most interesting. I have heard that music is the oldest form of language. However, due my background as a singer, my mind jumps to the conclusion that the statement refers to singing. For some reason the idea that it would include rhythm and drums just never occurred to me. The fact that slaves in Haiti used drums to communicate and organize a successful revolt, freeing them from their bondage.
I enjoyed listening to the "Drums of Passion" tracks. I like how different emotions could be expressed through the different drum sounds. It was fun to expose myself to something that I was so unfamiliar with.
First of all, I think that the 'Bill of Musical Rights' is a cool concept. I love that it is written in such a way that it is clear that it applies to both musicians and non musicians. It is also interesting to note that 'Bill of Musical Rights' raises the level of the importance of music in our culture to something more than just a hobby or a source of entertainment; it can ridiculed, debated over, and supported in the same way that a religion or any kind of personal opinion can. As a vocalist, I very much enjoyed the section that states "The human voice is the most natural and powerful vehicle for musical self-expression. The differences in our voices add richness and depth to music."
The ideas stated in the 'Bill of Musical Rights' and the Hull drum circle articles share very similar views on how music impact us socially, culturally, physically, and emotionally. They both say that music can affect everyone, not just musicians, and can also be created by everyone.
I'm with you concerning the "Bill of Musical Rights." It's great how it applies to non music people as well as music people. It makes it clear that music is open to everyone and being a musician isn't some secret society that only certain people can be in. It's great that someone finally put it into official writing so it's not like a secret code only certain people know about.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Danny! I loved how you touched upon the Bill of Rights and its inclusiveness of musicians and non-musicians. I think one of the reasons that the arts, and especially classical music, are going down in popularity is that people perceive them to be exclusive through an array of prejudices (i.e., boring, just for older people, indicative of social status, limited to those who are especially talented or creative, etc.).
ReplyDeleteShattering this stereotype is the first step to bringing it back. This is why the Musical Bill of Rights is instrumental to our education as well as to general education (please pardon the bad pun).
You are basically reading my mind about the whole being a singer and not first thinking of rhythm and drums. The different emotions in the Drums of Passion comment also is how I viewed the music as well. You are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you bridged the gap between the language of life and the language we all speak: music. There is a strong connection between the words we say and the notes we sing and that is recognized beautifully through rhythmiculture.
ReplyDeleteI think that it's great that you own up to your musical background and what you said about The Bill of Musical Rights applies to musicians and non-musicians. I think in that respect at least, it can apply to musicians on any different instrument (including voice) as well.
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