The next link is of The Princess China Music Orchestra. It consists of three beautiful women who play traditional instruments (pipa, zheng, and erhu) to contemporary sounds. I couldn't really find a lot of information about online, but all of their tracks have English titles that sound very typical of American Pop Song titles, like "no way to say," "fly high," and "boys and girls." This is a great fusion of cultures.
Last cool thing: this site is of an aboriginal artist playing the didgeridoo. His entire body is painted in the white paint that we saw on the videos of the Australia group. I like this video because you can really see his body working hard to keep up his circular breathing. His stomach looks as if it is panting and his cheeks go in and out. At the base of his throat you can really see his neck moving to alter the sound. You can also hear a few examples of the animal noises that they discussed.
Wrap up:
1. The concept of the griot really intrigued me. I love that his job is to keep the history of the tribe and the genealogy. What makes it even better is that he keeps it in the form of song! He also plays such a significant role in the society.
2. I think that I have become more aware of how diverse my own culture is in some ways and how restricted it is in others. I believe that Americans are very interested in discovering more about foreign lands but are also too eager to add their Western influence.
3. After reading Tori's blog about people using singing bowls for music therapy and also the presentation on the didgeridoo and its healing capabilities, I would like to study more on the healing power of music. Specifically, to see how various cultures view music as a healing art.
I agree with you that the singing bowls and the didgeridoo are both very interesting instruments in that they can be used as soureces of therapy. Upon closer inspection, it would seem that all tools of recreational therapy (meditaion, didgeridoo, singing bowls) are all used as vehicles to make you listen to yourself--ignoring the 'static' of the outside world--so really, WE are the theraputic tool! Very interesting...
ReplyDeleteThe gamelan was really neat. You're right, the instruments are beautiful and so intricately detailed. The woman's make-up was a little bit scary, but the male drummer beside her smiled so much that it made me laugh.
ReplyDeleteThe Princess China Music Orchestra was really interesting to hear. It sounded a lot like Chinese music and American techno had a baby. :)
I'm glad that you like my link about the singing bowl as a healing and therapeutic instrument. I would bet that the music therapy professors (Dr. Lipe and Dr. York) at our school have more information available to them about it, if you wanted to find out more about it.
The aborigine's paint is very very cool. It's so neat to see how his throat moves and changes the sounds. If you just listen without watching, it kind of sounds like you are standing in a jungle or something... very cool.
I agree that as Americans we are curious to learn about other cultures. I have often wondered if we are just that nosey or do other countries do as we do. I had a lot of fun meeting you in this class and I have thoroughly enjoyed your blog! Good luck with your auditions!
ReplyDeleteThe keep being surprised at the Indonesian dancers. Their movements are so small--so much attention to detail! I almost wish I could have watched it through a magnifying glass to see all of the intricate movements. There's so much detail in their decorations, also. I enjoyed the Chinese orchestra, too. The erhu makes such a eerie sound to me, but it was easy to listen to being mixed with popular music.
ReplyDeleteThe Native American idea that there are healing powers in music is very interesting. The drums carry that pulse. I wondered if when people where around it, did their hearts match the pulse? That might give them more strenghth, get their blood pumping.
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