Music in our Culture
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What is your favorite style of music and what
does that say about you?
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Music has the power to command our
attention and inspire us
It also reaches deep into our nature to
console us, to reassure us, and to help us
express who and what we are as human
beings
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Culture- is the customs, ideas, tastes, and
beliefs acquired from a person’s background
Your culture may be your most personal and
important possession
Sharing your culture is one of the greatest
gifts you can give others
Music, perhaps more than any other art form,
shows the diversity of the American
population.
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All people, from the earliest recorded history,
have created music.
It communicates a feeling or conveys a
message and speaks to your inner being.
1. How much do you listen to music?
2. Why do you enjoy listening to music?
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Expresses your personal taste
Reveals something about you
Helps define who you are
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Musical preferences often reflect your
lifestyle as well
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Music is highly valued
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Don’t be limited by one culture or style of
music (ex. Food)
In order to fully understand and appreciate
music, it has to be learned.
 Music serves:
A. Different purposes
B. Moods
C. Human needs
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Different types of music have different
characteristics and styles.
Musical style- refers to the distinct manner
or character of musical expression.
(comparing)
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Ex. Model of cars
Different styles of music have different
vocabulary or descriptors to define them.
Styles of music also help document what we
are like and who we are as a society.
Some style have broad categories that cover a
wide range of music.
 Ex. Pop Music- commercial music that the
general public uses for dancing and
entertainment.
 Subcategories:
1. Rock
2. Heavy metal
3. Rap
4. Reggae
5. Top 40
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Jazz- popular style of music that developed in
America during the late 1800’s and the early
1900’s.
Exuberant spirit and often improvised on the
spot
Most likely started from the rhythmic music
played during street parades and funeral
processions in New Orleans.
Dance music
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One of the main pioneers of jazz music
Was in the band who recorded authentic jazz
for the first time
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European music of the classical period,
composed from about 1725-1810
People were searching for a sense of order
during this time
Homophony- single melody with background
music
Moods changed freely in these classical
pieces
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Concerto- a composition usually written in 3
lengthy sections featuring 1 or more solos
with the orchestra.
Became popular for showing off the skills of
the individual artist
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Creole Jazz Band
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxEQ28Ll
4FM&feature=player_detailpage#t=14s
Modern New Orleans Jazz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCdWvCbl
aW8&feature=player_detailpage
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Mozart
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZjuqKBi
_HQ&feature=related
Franz Joseph Haydn
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NFytIZ4
nI4
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Before you can judge you need to be certain
of what you are hearing and become familiar
with the characteristics of that music.
Unfamiliar music may need to be played
more than once to feel comfortable with it
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The ability to know musical characteristics
and describe them
 3 Internal characteristics of music:
1. Means (source of sound)
2. Expression (feeling)
3. Order (organization)
 2 External characteristics of music:
1. Origin
2. Use (or function)
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1. When and where did Jazz first develop?
2. Why is it possible to distinguish between
classical and jazz?
3. In your own words, explain how a person
might develop perceptive listening.
4. How do you believe your personal musical
taste developed?