Music appreciation

Many people enjoy music, but not everyone enjoys it to its full capacity. For regular music lovers, they listen to it for themselves without thinking about what the composer wants them to get out of it. For musicians, to perform a piece to the best degree they need to be conscience of what the composer wants conveyed. When people are able to pick out those deeper feelings in music, they will gain a deeper appreciation for it and, if you are a musician, will be able to play more passionately. To be able to gain this deeper understanding of music, you need to put aside your previous selfish thoughts when it comes to music. You are no longer listening to it only for yourself, but for the composer and everything they want across in the piece. Hopefully by the end of this you will be more developed as a musicians and listeners. For me, as a musician, I never really appreciated the pieces I played when I first started out. I found myself becoming bored with playing music. It wasn’t until my encounter with the wonder of dissonance and dynamics that I finally gained an appreciation and gratitude for the music I played.…

things I did not give second thoughts on before, and appreciated music more than ever. One of my favorite piece is Bach’s Little Fugue in G Minor, his music speaks to one’s soul. The Fugues are well known for using counterpoint and this piece stays true to their reputation. The same melodic motif is mostly repeated throughout the piece. However, the clever use of counterpoint creates interesting textures which are refreshing to hear. Another element that makes this piece so refreshing to hear is…

Lines of melodious music filled my ears as I listened to Clair de Lune by Claude Debussy shortly after my eleventh birthday. I imagined myself playing notes on a piano creating euphonious sounds. In that moment, I decided to ask my mother for piano lessons at our local music store. I do not regret that decision, but I long to redo what I did that Saturday after my first lesson. Elated by my mother’s approval, I signed up with a teacher named Floyd. That Saturday afternoon my mother and I sat…

When I signed up to take music appreciation, I knew it would be the perfect class for me. I myself take up being a musician as a hobby, I’ve played the guitar for years and have a basic understanding of music in the world. I knew that music had deep history within its roots, but I always had a curiosity to learn a slice of that history which is exactly what this class did. Besides playing an instrument and make music, I also became very fond of listening to music as a hobby. I began to have a…

gently in his left hand. The entire building holds its breath – and then – the downbeat. I’m convinced classical music is the love of my life. Every interest has humble beginnings - mine were Baby Einstein DVDs. The mix of colorful toys and classical music piqued my interest. That’s where half of my interest came from. The other half came from a…

Ever since I could remember, I had always been fascinated by the sound of music. I was always enthralled by the beats and melodies of different genres of music. So when the letter from my school came through the post, announcing the commencement of music lessons for different instruments, you can begin to see my excitement. There was a long list of different instruments available and the amount of spaces. After a good few hours of switching back and forth from one decision to another, I decided…

I am a part-time orchestral conductor and percussionist. As a passionate musician, I always enjoy learning, practicing, performing, and appreciating music fascinating. Throughout my musical experience, I encountered a lot of thought-provoking questions. How did I receive and interpret information during each rehearsal? Why did repetitive practicing make it possible for me to play a repertoire without looking at music score? What made professional orchestra able to have less rehearsal than a…

MUH 171 9:30 AM Eastern Kentucky University Department of Music MUH 171 Music Appreciation FA 2016 CRN 11061 SYLLABUS Tue/Thu 9:30 AM Foster 100 (3 Credit Hours) Prof. James Willett james.willett@eku.edu Foster 306 phone 622-1345 A. Catalog Description: MUH 171 Music Appreciation (3). I, II. May not count toward a major or minor in music. Provides the general college student with a cultural background in music. Masterpieces of music, composers, and techniques presented through…

was in seventh grade when I decided to stop playing the piano. By then, I’ve already been taking lessons for around four years. I told my parents that music isn’t important, and making me take lessons is just a waste of money because I don’t even enjoy it. Little did I know about how big a role playing an instrument, or just music in general played during my high school years and my perspective on life. When I first started high school, my cousin (who was one year above me) told me to join…

Music has been a passion of mine for many years, and recently I was given the opportunity to further use this talent to help others. Almost a year ago, the lead pianist at my church moved, and I was asked to assume the post. Although I had been playing for the children and teen services for a few years, this new volunteer position—usually held by an adult with a music degree—required much more responsibility and maturity. I decided to accept the offer, and despite the challenges, the job has…