I first thought that I didn't have any experience with non western music. I had to dive a little deeper to really come up with other types of music I've listened to or sung. I know that I've sung a fair amount of Jewish folk tunes in my children's choir, along with a few African pieces (in the original languages). I always loved Jewish wedding music, Klezmer music, and I had a phase where that was all I listened to.
I was also a Girl Scout for 10 years, and we had these Council meetings where every troop in the council would pick a country and do a presentation on it, complete with food and sometimes, music. I've investigated Somalian and Malaysian pop music for these meetings, as well as Tanzanian folk music and even the games that go with them.
I live in Hampton, Virginia, which is about 400 miles away from Converse. I've driven back and forth many times over the past few years, and whenever my CD collection doesn't enthrall me, I've switched through whatever radio stations my antenna could pick up (there were never that many). There's always at least one pop station, one country station, and one Mariachi station. Because I can't stand current pop or country, I always listen to the Mariachi station until I can't pick it up anymore. I took 4 years of Spanish in middle and high school, so I try to pick out the words. I don't ever do that well, but I like listening to the trumpets. I have a huge affinity for the Gipsy Kings. Their combination of Latin rhythms and flamenco guitar style (along with lots of other influences including Romanian folk music, Catalan folk music, and Moroccan folk music) completely stole the romantic side of my heart, and I currently have two albums memorized. This will help me when I fulfill my lifelong dream of living in Barcelona.
I don't think that we as Americans and mainly western music listeners realize how much influence we have from other cultures, mostly folk cultures. I'm looking forward to explore more music I have never heard of in this class.
Oh, the Gipsy Kings are fantastic! Yea! And yes, good children's choirs usually include music from all over the place, which can set you up for a lifetime of noticing music from other cultures. And you know, sometimes on long drives I'll set the radio to a country or pop station but listen to it as an analytical music nerd, and it can be quite interesting that way...
ReplyDeleteListening to random radio stations can be fun! I like listening to the religious stations to see just how vast their repertoire is. You get the expected soft and slow pieces about loving Jesus, and then you get this: http://youtu.be/CaTXRaSvq-M
ReplyDeleteI still remember the first time I heard it while driving into Wofford's campus one day. I sat in my truck in the parking lot while the song played because it was just so delightful.
Girl Scout council meetings were great! I still have some of the goodies from different years.
I always wanted to be apart of Girl Scouts. But I do eat Girl Scout cookies.
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty awesome that you were exposed to a Mariachi station. I would definitely say that's would be a big cultural phenomenon. I wish I could find more diverse radio stations here instead of the 7 stations that play all the same pop music. Over and over and over again. So good for you!
Can I just say I cannot picture you just listening to Jewish music. I guess because you have such "hipster" music style now ;)
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome that you have two whole albums memorized of that style. Why don't we listen to that in the apartment ever? If we ever go on a road trip I will put you in charge of the radio.
GIPSY KINGS YEAH...because you introduced them to me. Whatever. I had kind of the same experience you did with your children's choir and singing music from different cultures, but not as much as you did, probably, because conservative homeschool.
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