Soundscape Critiques
Arielle's Soundscape
David's Soundscape
Monday, January 31, 2011
Response To "Brainwashed"
Brainwashed
#1 Acknowledging the Lizard
This layer of reinventing yourself is about the lizard brain- the part of the brain that restricts an artist from being creative, or being themselves, out of fear of rejection or being laughed at. It focuses on resistance of being artistic out of fear, and tells you to follow instructions...so basically this is about the brainwashing people receive, telling them to shut down their thoughts to avoid rejection or ostracization. Godin says this resistance is the barrier stopping an artist to hone and express his/her creative mind. In order to make an impression, you must break down this barrier.
My thoughts on this agree with Godin's statements. I'm sure everyone has some sort of creativity, or artist, in them...but they have fallen to the brainwashing of society. We avoid what would cause skepticism or rejection, which definitely stops people from expressing themselves. I've always thought this and I think it's sad. Nobody wants to challenge the norm, and going along with what you are told, or what others are doing, is "safe." In order to make an impact or free yourself, you have to venture out of this safety, "ignore the lizard" to do the work that has been gifted to you.
#2 Connect
In this layer, Godin talks about making use of how easy it is to network these days. Facebook, twitter, linked in, blogger...these are all ways we can connect, and it opens many doors. Godin says counting how many friends you have on facebook, how many pictures, how many tags, is not a useful way of using what's available to us. People get addicted to the things that don't matter. Instead take hold of what's available to you through these forms of social media. It's here to stay and has changed how fast and easy networking has become.
My thoughts: some things I agree with, some I don't.
I do agree a lot of people now just waste time worrying about frivolous things when so much else is available right in front of them. It's pathetic how people come to classes and go on facebook the whole time, rather than taking notes or learning the material. What are you paying so much money for to enroll in these classes where you can absorb so much information, except you spend your time looking at pictures that could be done any other time. Or just don't go to class if that's all you're going to do. It's another way people waste opportunities given to them.
Though facebook and linked-in and twitter etc., have created way more opportunities to connect, make yourself known, and have success, I think since there's so much opportunity and so many people are taking advantage of it that in a way it could be hard to make yourself stand out when so many others are doing the same. Maybe before the age of social media, that's how true artists stood out, the ones who persevered, acknowledged their lizard, and had to struggle to become successful or noticed. Maybe I'm wrong though.
#1 Acknowledging the Lizard
This layer of reinventing yourself is about the lizard brain- the part of the brain that restricts an artist from being creative, or being themselves, out of fear of rejection or being laughed at. It focuses on resistance of being artistic out of fear, and tells you to follow instructions...so basically this is about the brainwashing people receive, telling them to shut down their thoughts to avoid rejection or ostracization. Godin says this resistance is the barrier stopping an artist to hone and express his/her creative mind. In order to make an impression, you must break down this barrier.
My thoughts on this agree with Godin's statements. I'm sure everyone has some sort of creativity, or artist, in them...but they have fallen to the brainwashing of society. We avoid what would cause skepticism or rejection, which definitely stops people from expressing themselves. I've always thought this and I think it's sad. Nobody wants to challenge the norm, and going along with what you are told, or what others are doing, is "safe." In order to make an impact or free yourself, you have to venture out of this safety, "ignore the lizard" to do the work that has been gifted to you.
#2 Connect
In this layer, Godin talks about making use of how easy it is to network these days. Facebook, twitter, linked in, blogger...these are all ways we can connect, and it opens many doors. Godin says counting how many friends you have on facebook, how many pictures, how many tags, is not a useful way of using what's available to us. People get addicted to the things that don't matter. Instead take hold of what's available to you through these forms of social media. It's here to stay and has changed how fast and easy networking has become.
My thoughts: some things I agree with, some I don't.
I do agree a lot of people now just waste time worrying about frivolous things when so much else is available right in front of them. It's pathetic how people come to classes and go on facebook the whole time, rather than taking notes or learning the material. What are you paying so much money for to enroll in these classes where you can absorb so much information, except you spend your time looking at pictures that could be done any other time. Or just don't go to class if that's all you're going to do. It's another way people waste opportunities given to them.
Though facebook and linked-in and twitter etc., have created way more opportunities to connect, make yourself known, and have success, I think since there's so much opportunity and so many people are taking advantage of it that in a way it could be hard to make yourself stand out when so many others are doing the same. Maybe before the age of social media, that's how true artists stood out, the ones who persevered, acknowledged their lizard, and had to struggle to become successful or noticed. Maybe I'm wrong though.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Gin & Juice Comparison: Snoop Dogg vs. The Gourds
Snoop Dogg- Gin and Juice
The Gourds- Gin and Juice (cover)
The Gourds- Gin and Juice (cover)
This song by Snoop Dogg is a classic. As I’ve explored different musical styles throughout my life, from rock, to rap and hip hop, to folk, one of my favorite is the g-funk (gangsta funk) style of rap from the early 90s originating on the west coast, starting with Warren G and Snoop Dogg. If you’re into that kind of stuff, listen to Snoop Dogg’s debut album “Doggy-Style,” it’s one of my favorites. One day I stumbled upon the Gourd’s cover of Gin and Juice, which was awesome because it blended two different musical styles, from completely different spectrums.
Lyrics
The lyrics in both songs are exactly the same. Snoop’s lyrics are not for the faint of heart, and can get pretty dirty (the album is called doggy style…), but overall it’s good music. In the original by Snoop Dogg, he’s pretty straightforward with his lyrics, talking about being a gangster, his crazy partying and high rolling lifestyle, which goes along with what a lot of other rappers talk about and what’s associated with a rapper’s lifestyle. It’s awesome how the Gourds use the exact same lyrics but with a more folky style of music, nothing like rapping. They took lyrics that would never go with any songs in the style they play, and made it work, it’s hilarious but it’s good.
Melody
The original song’s melody is very “laid back,” with more of a minor tone that goes with Snoop Dogg’s rapping. It definitely goes along with Snoop Dogg’s style and persona. The Gourds’ cover takes the song and sings it with two chords throughout the song, in a very upbeat manor and in more of a major tone. Also, the Gourds make the song musical with more tonality and singing as opposed to more hip-hop/rap.
Organization
In Snoop Dogg’s version, he goes through his rapping/freestyling section, and then there’s the chorus of “sippin’ on gin and juice.” In the Gourds’ cover, the organization is the same as Snoop’s version with the verse and then chorus, but after the chorus they have more extended musical/instrumental jams with mandolins and guitar. It’s pretty hoe-downish, and like I said earlier, the whole song is simply two chords. It’s not chaotic in either version; both have a structured, ordered approach.
Rhythm
As with the minor tone of the melody creating a vibe that’s very chill, the rhythm is somewhat slow, giving it more of that laid back feel. The Gourd’s version has a faster, upbeat rhythm that coincides with its major tone. It sounds like it’s something that makes you want to get up and go crazy, as opposed to Snoop’s relaxed and chill rhythm, that makes you relaxed and chill.
Tension & Release
Snoop’s version builds tension in the chorus, with increasing volume and more background singers, and when he goes back to the verse there is a release when he goes into his rapping. The Gourd’s start off quiet with the mandolin and builds up volume going through the first verse, and then the second verse comes in with the drumbeat and more layers of sound. Once the chorus hits there is the most tension, and then there’s release going back into the verse. And after they jam they go back to being really quiet with just the mandolin and singing, and then the volume and layers increase again.
Didactic Lyrics
Snoops lyrics don’t require any active thinking. He is telling you straight up a story of living a wild lifestyle in Long Beach. I don’t think there’s any hidden meaning behind his lyrics, but it’s lyrics are pretty vivid, and you see the kind of life he lives. It’s good to have lyrics that require you to think, but sometimes it’s good as in Gin and Juice to not have to think about it, Snoop’s being real.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Blog 1B- Response to "Ways To Get Ideas"
14 Ways to Get Ideas
I personally thought all the steps were good explanations of how to be innovative. This article defines 14 different approaches to being innovative, stepping out of the box, finding connections and similarities, and ultimately changing yourself. Many of the steps are based off how highly innovative/creative thinkers from history approached situations in life, such as Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison. I guess the article could be a called a guideline for being creative.
Step #1: FOLLOW YOUR FASCINATION
"Fascination is quite simply nature's way of getting our attention."
I think this is one of the most important quotes; many influential people would not have changed the way we live or our society if not for following fascinations. What if Jimi Hendrix dismissed his fascination for guitar, the blues, or performance? What if Ben Franklin had not continued to pursue his fascination with electricity? George Washington Carver and his fascination with the peanut led to peanut butter and a bunch of other uses for the peanut. Our society would be different and history would be changed if not for these innovators. I'm glad for myself for continuing playing guitar; a lot of people give up on things or do dismiss interests as the article says. In some ways it's probably a mental workout or mentally stimulating to find new things, especially if you find something that changes your life. I haven't had much hands on experience with audio recording, but after reading about different recording techniques used by artists such as Jimmy Page or producers like Phil Spektor creating a "wall of sound" sounded awesome to me and I want to find out more. So far it has been a good experience for me.
Step #2: IMMERSE
I've always believed this step to be true, even before reading this. This step brings up the idea that it's good to immerse yourself in something you enjoy to escape from the distractions brought upon you. I think it's kind of like the common study tip that it's better to take periodic breaks while studying, and as a result you are more successful in studying. It probably keeps many people sane to have certain immersions, like drawing or painting or running. In a way it's therapeutic. And as this article says, I feel it definitely helps spark innovation. Plus, if such successful companies like google, one of the biggest websites today, or 3M which itself is based on innovation, gives its employees the opportunity to set aside time during their work schedule to immerse themselves in something that interests them, obviously it would have some positive turnout, so why not try it. I sort of already do this in my life, losing myself in playing an instrument or building something when I need small escape, and I definitely think it helps me be creative or stimulated more often then if I were not to.
Step #11: BRAINSTORM
This step is all about how new ideas and innovation are the result of multiple thinkers collaborating and inspiring each other, feeding off each other's creativity, to be even more creative. The article uses Paul McCartney and John Lennon as an example of two amazing artists joining together to create something huge. But I think it's not just them; any band, any company, is more successful and accomplishes more when there's people working with each other to be creative. Ideas from one person bounces off another's ideas. One of my favorite things to watch is SNL, because it's the result of talented comedians coming together and creating genius sketches. And then some of those sketches go on to become more than just a sketch when they become movies. I think it's fun playing music with other people, or thinking of ideas of movies to make, just feeding off other's creativity to create one idea after another. It's true, sometimes people can be extremely creative on their own, but these people can also be equally or more creative when working with other creative people.
Response to Prompt from Step 4:
This was a fun task, I could do it every night before bed. I didn't think this would work at first and even though I didn't come up with any brilliant inventions, I think some cool ideas came up. Some things, connections, I noticed were edible candles, candles that bubble into different colors, colorful popcorn, something that would reheat popcorn, hemp sewing machines, some sort of machine that allows you to relax while cleaning. I definitely think this technique has potential to create awesome ideas.
I personally thought all the steps were good explanations of how to be innovative. This article defines 14 different approaches to being innovative, stepping out of the box, finding connections and similarities, and ultimately changing yourself. Many of the steps are based off how highly innovative/creative thinkers from history approached situations in life, such as Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison. I guess the article could be a called a guideline for being creative.
Step #1: FOLLOW YOUR FASCINATION
"Fascination is quite simply nature's way of getting our attention."
I think this is one of the most important quotes; many influential people would not have changed the way we live or our society if not for following fascinations. What if Jimi Hendrix dismissed his fascination for guitar, the blues, or performance? What if Ben Franklin had not continued to pursue his fascination with electricity? George Washington Carver and his fascination with the peanut led to peanut butter and a bunch of other uses for the peanut. Our society would be different and history would be changed if not for these innovators. I'm glad for myself for continuing playing guitar; a lot of people give up on things or do dismiss interests as the article says. In some ways it's probably a mental workout or mentally stimulating to find new things, especially if you find something that changes your life. I haven't had much hands on experience with audio recording, but after reading about different recording techniques used by artists such as Jimmy Page or producers like Phil Spektor creating a "wall of sound" sounded awesome to me and I want to find out more. So far it has been a good experience for me.
Step #2: IMMERSE
I've always believed this step to be true, even before reading this. This step brings up the idea that it's good to immerse yourself in something you enjoy to escape from the distractions brought upon you. I think it's kind of like the common study tip that it's better to take periodic breaks while studying, and as a result you are more successful in studying. It probably keeps many people sane to have certain immersions, like drawing or painting or running. In a way it's therapeutic. And as this article says, I feel it definitely helps spark innovation. Plus, if such successful companies like google, one of the biggest websites today, or 3M which itself is based on innovation, gives its employees the opportunity to set aside time during their work schedule to immerse themselves in something that interests them, obviously it would have some positive turnout, so why not try it. I sort of already do this in my life, losing myself in playing an instrument or building something when I need small escape, and I definitely think it helps me be creative or stimulated more often then if I were not to.
Step #11: BRAINSTORM
This step is all about how new ideas and innovation are the result of multiple thinkers collaborating and inspiring each other, feeding off each other's creativity, to be even more creative. The article uses Paul McCartney and John Lennon as an example of two amazing artists joining together to create something huge. But I think it's not just them; any band, any company, is more successful and accomplishes more when there's people working with each other to be creative. Ideas from one person bounces off another's ideas. One of my favorite things to watch is SNL, because it's the result of talented comedians coming together and creating genius sketches. And then some of those sketches go on to become more than just a sketch when they become movies. I think it's fun playing music with other people, or thinking of ideas of movies to make, just feeding off other's creativity to create one idea after another. It's true, sometimes people can be extremely creative on their own, but these people can also be equally or more creative when working with other creative people.
Response to Prompt from Step 4:
This was a fun task, I could do it every night before bed. I didn't think this would work at first and even though I didn't come up with any brilliant inventions, I think some cool ideas came up. Some things, connections, I noticed were edible candles, candles that bubble into different colors, colorful popcorn, something that would reheat popcorn, hemp sewing machines, some sort of machine that allows you to relax while cleaning. I definitely think this technique has potential to create awesome ideas.
Blog 2- Response to Johnathon Flaum's Find Your Howl
Article: Find your Howl
In the first story in Flaum's article, Mumon-one of only a few remaining red wolves remaining in the wild- is brought into captivity in order to preserve his species. Scheduled feeding times and shielding from the danger of the wilderness to keep him alive creates a life of safety for him, and over time he loses his ability to howl, an essential part of survival for the wolf pack. Once released back into the wild, Mumon forgets and becomes fearful/shameful about what it is that is his purpose, and must find his howl. Experiences like hunting a deer, being shot at by a fearful man, speaking with ravens about finding his howl, lead him on the path of facing his fears head on of leaving safety and gaining his freedom, of what he's supposed to be. This story's message is gaining enlightenment, freedom, your purpose, you must go through hardships of facing fears and finding yourself, before you achieving it.
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."
-John Lennon
I really like this lyric from John Lennon's song "Beautiful Boy," which I think was his way of expressing his excitement and joy that will come to him watching his son Sean grow as a person and experiencing life with him. The lyric to me means you don't realize it, and you may strive for more and more in life, but all you experience and go through is part of what makes up your life. You want to do more and more to fulfill and do as much in your life as you can and define you as a person. I think John really wanted to be apart of who Sean would become as he went through more and more in life. While you’re busy doing everything in life, experiencing many things, making other plans, you’re really living your life, life is what happens.
In the first story in Flaum's article, Mumon-one of only a few remaining red wolves remaining in the wild- is brought into captivity in order to preserve his species. Scheduled feeding times and shielding from the danger of the wilderness to keep him alive creates a life of safety for him, and over time he loses his ability to howl, an essential part of survival for the wolf pack. Once released back into the wild, Mumon forgets and becomes fearful/shameful about what it is that is his purpose, and must find his howl. Experiences like hunting a deer, being shot at by a fearful man, speaking with ravens about finding his howl, lead him on the path of facing his fears head on of leaving safety and gaining his freedom, of what he's supposed to be. This story's message is gaining enlightenment, freedom, your purpose, you must go through hardships of facing fears and finding yourself, before you achieving it.
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."
-John Lennon
I really like this lyric from John Lennon's song "Beautiful Boy," which I think was his way of expressing his excitement and joy that will come to him watching his son Sean grow as a person and experiencing life with him. The lyric to me means you don't realize it, and you may strive for more and more in life, but all you experience and go through is part of what makes up your life. You want to do more and more to fulfill and do as much in your life as you can and define you as a person. I think John really wanted to be apart of who Sean would become as he went through more and more in life. While you’re busy doing everything in life, experiencing many things, making other plans, you’re really living your life, life is what happens.
Blog 1A- Who influences me as a creative person
Grateful Dead- Jack Straw--->Tension/Release
The Grateful Dead-the ultimate jam band, taking people through musical journies in the studio and even more live- were masters at creating tension and release in their extended jams, in order to create their unique music experience for their audience. In this clip, a performance of Jack Straw, is a good example of this tension and release. It begins with a slow tempo, and slowly builds up to an upbeat chorus about Jack Straw. This can be seen as the tension building up, hitting its peak, then dying down in tempo, which would be the release. Members of the band each do their piece in going up and down scales and intensity with their instruments, creating the tension and release, as in much of the Grateful Dead's music.
Meat Puppets-Plateau---->Text/Subtext
Though the music of this song I consider paints a good picture, the lyrics are of equal importance. At first looking at the lyrics, it looks like meaningless lyrics that just sound cool together. But I believe, to my best understanding of the lyrics, its deeper meaning is about the darker side of achieving fame or great success.
Some examples:
-Plateau- metaphor for achieving success and hitting a point of not being satisfied and desiring more and more success or fame, hitting a plateau.
-"Illustrated book about birds"-unrealistic idea of American Dream.
-"The many hands began to scan around for the next plateau"- people striving for more and more success, fame, money, etc.
Almost the entire song could be seen as having a subtext with a deeper meaning. Pretty cool stuff. Here's a link for the lyrics
Daniel Johnston-I had lost my mind clip- Contrast and Affinity
Daniel Johnston has a lot of crazy but cool drawings, either in black lined figures or with lots of colors that are bright. But all his work is usually done on a white background, which makes his figures and drawings stand out, either with thick lines, or thick lines and bright colors. This clip of an animation of his drawings that goes along with his song "I had lost my mind," is done with simple black lines that stand out against a white background. Also when blood spills out of his head, the red color of the blood stands out against the white background as well as compared to most of the simple black and white clip.
The Grateful Dead-the ultimate jam band, taking people through musical journies in the studio and even more live- were masters at creating tension and release in their extended jams, in order to create their unique music experience for their audience. In this clip, a performance of Jack Straw, is a good example of this tension and release. It begins with a slow tempo, and slowly builds up to an upbeat chorus about Jack Straw. This can be seen as the tension building up, hitting its peak, then dying down in tempo, which would be the release. Members of the band each do their piece in going up and down scales and intensity with their instruments, creating the tension and release, as in much of the Grateful Dead's music.
Meat Puppets-Plateau---->Text/Subtext
Though the music of this song I consider paints a good picture, the lyrics are of equal importance. At first looking at the lyrics, it looks like meaningless lyrics that just sound cool together. But I believe, to my best understanding of the lyrics, its deeper meaning is about the darker side of achieving fame or great success.
Some examples:
-Plateau- metaphor for achieving success and hitting a point of not being satisfied and desiring more and more success or fame, hitting a plateau.
-"Illustrated book about birds"-unrealistic idea of American Dream.
-"The many hands began to scan around for the next plateau"- people striving for more and more success, fame, money, etc.
Almost the entire song could be seen as having a subtext with a deeper meaning. Pretty cool stuff. Here's a link for the lyrics
Daniel Johnston-I had lost my mind clip- Contrast and Affinity
Daniel Johnston has a lot of crazy but cool drawings, either in black lined figures or with lots of colors that are bright. But all his work is usually done on a white background, which makes his figures and drawings stand out, either with thick lines, or thick lines and bright colors. This clip of an animation of his drawings that goes along with his song "I had lost my mind," is done with simple black lines that stand out against a white background. Also when blood spills out of his head, the red color of the blood stands out against the white background as well as compared to most of the simple black and white clip.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Audio Production & Business Major
Since I was young, music has always struck a chord in me, and as I've gotten older my music knowledge, passion, and understanding has become more in depth. When coming to school I realized it wasn't just a hobby, but something I would find happiness in and something I wanted to involve in my profession. Guitar effects, amplification, as well as recording techniques I've read about and other studio effects applied to different instruments are what I would love to work with, but I'd also like to have business experience, as I hope to have a career in the music business industry. Possible career paths I've thought about are music promotion, management, marketing, maybe run my own recording studio. I'll most likely be getting a master's degree after getting my undergrad, and I want to pursue some type of internship that will let me dip my toes in the music industry.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)