Analyzing Music

            Music analysis can be very beneficial in many ways but in my opinion, moderation is best. To analyze different aspects of a song makes for more appreciation. For example, picking apart lyrics to a song can provide more insight to the meaning the artist was trying to portray. Looking for deeper meaning is what makes most songs worth listening to. It is also really interesting to get an idea of what that artist was thinking and feeling at that one moment in time. The whole lyrical process is very intriguing as a whole. Analyzing the musical structure of a song is also very interesting because when listening to a song play out we often overlook the true talent and beauty behind a song. The way the notes are put together are complex and when analyzing we can learn how difficult some things are to execute. Analyzing a song is often the only way to fully appreciate all a piece of music as to offer but sometimes one must be careful not to pick a song apart too much.

          Experiencing music can happen in all different ways. The experience of hearing a song for the first time is an experience in itself. The first time I listen to a song its about the excitement of my senses. I am trying to soak up as much of the song as I can the first time but there is no way to get enough in one take. Music is a process to create just as much as it is a process to experience. The few times listening to a song after the initial time it is about soaking in what the song is saying lyrically. The tone and beat and musical backing of the song all contributes to the overall meaning. that is usually as far as I take it. Many take it so many steps further. In a musical arrangement there are many patterns that arise in song styles over the years and there are specialists that take a song apart to its bare pieces but I think when that serious of an analysis takes place we should be careful that we don't take away the beauty. Each and every song is unique and if we are pulling a song or a musical piece apart to its component parts then we could strip it of its unique and spontaneous nature.

            Essentially there are benefits to musical analysis. After taking a closer look at each element of a song or piece, when listening to it all put together again it can alert different senses and bring other pieces of the masterpiece to your attention for an even more heightened experience. The only caution I offer is to remember that the beauty of a musical piece is usually within how each sound and element blend together. Never lose the love of the spontaneous nature of a musical art piece.

My Musical Style

                 Looking through my iTunes library, I am noticing my wide variety of musical style. I have a lot of country music, pop music, R&B, rap, alternative, acoustical, and rock. All my genres are from all different time periods as well. This reveals that I am a music lover at heart. I appreciate all different expressions of music. I was introduced to country music and soul music when I was younger because that is what I always would listen to in the car with my mom. As I got older, I was introduced to more popular music such as Britney Spears and N*sync because that was what was "cool" at school. Later on I as I started to appreciate music as a whole, I listened to acoustic and rock because I could appreciate the talent of the musicians, not just the singers.

               Lyrical art has become more recently important to me. Beautiful words have always been within hearing distance but I never really HEARD them because I wasn't listening close enough. As far as the lyrical similarities, there are a lot of songs relating to love and heartbreak but there are also songs about life and God or partying and dancing. In other words, I have a song about anything you could imagine.

              I listen to different songs depending on my mood. If I am just doing homework then I'll let my music shuffle through all my songs. When I am working out I have to have some kind of upbeat melody. When I am trying to sleep on a plane or in the car I have a soothing mix full of relaxing songs or slow melodies. Lyrically, if I'm in a good mood I listen to happy music about loving life. If I am crushing on a boy or happy in a relationship, I like to rock all the typical love songs. If I am going through a breakup or just a fight I listen to "Screw You" songs, a collection of songs that was put together by my best friend and I in High School and that playlist is constantly updated and added to so that it is perfect when called for. Then sometimes I just want to sing and stretch my voice out; That is when Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Kelly Clarkson, Christina Aguilera, Carrie Underwood and other powerhouse vocalists are blasted through the speakers. It is so freeing to just belt out a classic ballad.

            As far as a pattern in my musical style, I believe it's safe to say my pattern is not having a pattern. Every situation calls for a certain set of songs with the right sounds and the words to hit the spot. I am simply a music lover of all types. I am so grateful for every stage of my life bringing in so many different genres and artists into my playlists. I am always looking for fresh sounds to entertain me and be the soundtracks to my journey of life.

            

Music IS my life

                   Music has played a huge impact on my life. It is safe to say I strive to make music not only my passion but my career as well. I have been a singer since I could talk! My mom has always had music playing and she would only play quality music with good singers because she is a singer too. Every time I would sing she would correct me, which drove me crazy in the moment but I thank her for it now. Music has been a huge part of my life since I was born because my family has been so musical. As I stated previously, my mom is a singer, my dad's brother is an amazing drummer and his wife is a singer as well, and my Grandpa is a singer and plays the guitar. Singing and performing music for me is so freeing and honest. I have never felt more at home, comfortable, confident and powerful then when I'm on stage singing a beautiful song I believe in. I also write songs and that is a very therapeutic experience. My music isn't the only part that is important to me. I am rarely not listening to music. There is a song for every feeling and every day that passes. It is so comforting to find a song that someone else out in the world wrote that says exactly how you feel. It makes me feel like I'm not alone in this moment or in this feeling and that is a beautiful thing. I am very open minded when it comes to music. I like all types of music because each different type of music paints a different perspective or a different view but it is all expressions of art. Music has the power to alter my mood in such a real and drastic way, for example; When I am trying to get over a boy or a relationship that had to end I can listen to "Best Days of Your Life" by Kellie Pickler and go from crying to smiling and laughing in a matter of moments. Music is the most powerful art form in the world. I can not imagine life without music as a prominent element of society. Music has complete control over my life. I remember, a while back, I was having a fight with a guy and made a mix that consisted of songs that would empower me and strengthen me like "I'm Done" by Jo Dee Messina and "A Little Bit Stronger" by Sara Evans and other songs of the sort, and I brought it to work with me so I could make it through the work day without letting my sadness get the best of me. As far as a daily routine, I refuse to work out without my ipod because my body can last longer if it is working out to an up beat and words that push me. Music is also used as a powerful form of communication. Taylor Swift writes songs about real people in her life that she wants to get a message to. Green Day likes to make political statements as well as U2 and so many other famous musicians. Famous singers and bands use their public attention to draw attention to matters that are important because a message in the form of a song can spread like wild fire; far and fast. In conclusion, Music is life for me and so many other passionate people in the world. This theme has given me the chance to really realize how much music effects my life, as well as the rest of the world. Without music the world would empty, as would I.