318 Listening to Music

318 - Listening to Music

Survey:

I made a survey on survey monkey (https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/N62PC9B) asking people questions about their Music Taste and tried to get a more in depth answer than just 'yes' or 'no' or one word answers. I did this by asking why they thought of that answer and going into more detail on an motional level as to why they chose their answer. I mostly targeted my peers but also to a few adults to answer as it gives me more diverse answers as the respondents are all coming from different eras meaning different music was popular for them.

Here are my questions in order with the key responses. 

1. What is your favourite genre of music? 

Respondent 1: Classical and Rock.

Respondent 2: Alternative.

Respondent 3: Pop.

2. Why do you like this genre? What effect does it have on you?

Respondent 1: Strong links to my childhood experiences.

Respondent 2: I like it because it doesn't fit into any other genre and it inspires me.

Respondent 3: It keeps me happy, as the songs are upbeat.

3. What genre of music do you least like? Explain why.

Respondent 1: Country and Western. Probably the twangy accents!

Respondent 2: Rap because I can't understand what they're saying.

Respondent 3: Probably rap or hip hop, its not that I don't like it, its just that its not my favourite.

4. Which song means the most to you? Why? 

Respondent 1: It's all about you by McFly. Reminds me of dancing with my baby daughter.

Respondent 2: Perth by Bon Iver as it has a great structure.

Respondent 3: Probably Death of a Bachelor by Panic! as it's mine and bae's song.

5. Do you play a musical instrument, if so what instrument?

Respondent 1: Cello, piano, voice, recorder.

Respondent 2: Yes drums and guitar.

Respondent 3: piano, guitar, vocals, bass guitar, banjo, ukelele.

6. Do you think that playing an instrument affects your taste in music, why?

Respondent 1: Yes, my love of classical music is because I have learnt to play so much of it.

Respondent 2: No.

Respondent 3: Probably, as I can try out different styles and discover new things.

My Emotional Walk in Music Taste:

When I was 10 I mainly listened to chart music, Rhianna - Umbrella, The Fray - How To Save A Life and Take That - Rule the World our smh examples. I listened to these songs because at this point I wasn't playing drums and didn't really look too deeply into song structures or the lyrical content, I listened to them as they were popular and I didn't really think about listening to anything else. This was the same until I was about 13 and went from a mixed middle school to a boys high school. This is when I started to play the drums which made me experiment with what I was listening to,trying to find music that fitted my taste which may not have been chart or popular music. I started listening to a lot of Indie rock bands such as DON BROCO and Pegasus Bridge's While We're Young album. I liked the structure and more heavy style, with distorted guitars and heavier drum parts compared to the chart music at the time. Virtually all my friends didn't know the music I listened to but I was fine with that. However at this stage I did still listen to some chart music. In year 8 I was still a dedicated viewer of XFactor so I listened to Olly Murs a lot as he was very popular at this time, having done so well in the TV show. Olly Murs brought something new to music, his music videos were always very bright and engaging, but also his style and lyrics made me think more and made me change my views on what relationships should be like. Also off the stage he was a very humble and down to earth guy which made me enjoy his music even more as I knew it was genuine.

It was in year 9 when my taste in music and what music I enjoyed listening to changed quite a lot, I went from listening to a lot of Indie Rock bands to listening to DJ's and house music. At around 2013/14 is when house suddenly exploded and I caught onto it from year 9 until the end of year 10, when I was 14/15. Although the structure was vastly different to the indie rock bands I had listened to, I liked the simplicity of it and the computerised sounds. I used to go running and found these house songs very motivating and kept my pulse up as the bass was very driven and was the same throughout. Although the drums were very simplistic and electric I didn't think too much of it, as the songs made me feel happy. I mostly liked Mr Probz - Waves, Sigma - Nobody to Love and Avicii - Hey Brother. The way Avicii plays his sets are very energised and happy, this made me, when I was in a bad mood, put a smile on my face and made me dance. His music, although being simple, was very pumping and always made me happy.

During year 11 I started to listen more classic and well known songs such as I Want You Back - Jackson 5, Dancing in the Moonlight - Toploader and Never gonna Give You Up - Rick Astley. I started listening to this kind of music as I was beginning to get a deeper understanding of music and how music is put together in my music lessons at high school, and my love for house music went as I realised how simple and easy it was to create a house track, whereas the songs I started to listen to have a much broader use of musical techniques such as melodic harmony's, the use of vast instruments and different textures and timbres. Another song I listened to was Where Is The Love by The Black Eyed Peas, i listened to this song a lot as it gave me nostalgic memories of when I firsthand it on a car journey with a load of my mates. The music video was also very cool and I really liked Will.I.Am's style and saw him as a bit of an idol and gave me the confidence to represent myself in my own style and "swagger" which is something he talked about a lot. He is a really skilled and successful musician and I've always had high regards for him, not only as a musician but also as a person.

In these last couple of years, when I was 17 and 18, I have been in a couple of bands, and am still in one of them now. The members of one of the bands liked the punk rock scene and also indie music. This wasn't something that I had taken a look into but because I saw them a lot and we did a lot of covers, I was surrounded by punk rock and indie music. I now like these genres whereas beforehand I didn't listen to them at all. One of my favourite indie bands, as a result of a cover we did - 7, is Catfish and the Bottlemen. They consist of a rhythm guitarist and vocalist, lead guitarist, bassist and drummer, which is a typical rock band set up. Because I am in a similar set up in my band I connect more with these types of bands as they are successful in the business and style which we aspire to be in, so listening to them a lot helps me understand what works well in certain styles and what is popular and what isn't popular. Which will all help my band with writing our stuff knowing what makes a good, well structured funk rock song, whilst also brining something new to the scene and having a distinct sound that is recognisable and different. Catfish and The Bottlemen have really made me realise and know what my ambitions are, the way they produce and play their music gives me great motivation to try and do the same. Their stage presence is very clear and energetic, plus the way in which they joke around on stage makes it seem as though they're so confident with playing and make it seem as though they can relate to the audience and their fans, which is something I am really interested in getting better at, as being a drummer it is sometimes hard to make it look like you're enjoying yourself and communicating with the audience.

However, being a Christian, I listen to a lot of Christian music and worship songs. These, to me, feel more special and have more of an impact than any secular music as I am singing to the God I believe in. I have been to many Christian music events and play myself at my local church. Seeing the big worship bands such as Hillsong Worship, Bethel Music and Jesus Culture has made me realise there is something deeper than playing music and how instead of playing s a performance and selling yourself, as secular bands and artists do, they are just using their skills to glorify God and help the congregation send their praises to God. Being a worship drummer is my main aspiration having seen these christian drummers and playing at church. Also as I have played at church for a few years now I feel really confident in playing worship music, with its specific techniques and atmospheric judgements that you have to take which aren't in secular music at all, I feel as though my skills in drumming suit this style and type of music best.


Analysis Of Two Songs (One Which I Like and One I Dislike and Why)

First Song:
Lights Out - Royal Blood

The guitarist uses many different effects in order to make the song sound in certain ways. For example he uses distortion, which is creates a crunchy sound making the song sound more deeper and fuller, he also uses a synth wah pedal which means that he can create sounds which he wouldn't be able to do if on a normal guitar, this adds to the song and gives it some identity and individuality. The chords used are; Verse: Dm, C, Dm, C, A#, B, A#, Gm, A#, G - this gives the song a progressive feel as the introduction of A#, B, Gm and G, which are almost in a new key to Dm and C changes the feel of the song making it seem as though it is musically building up to something big. Chorus: Dm, F, C, Dm, F, C, Dm, F, C, Dm, F, C, Dm - the repetition of the Dm, F, C is used a lot in the chorus as it becomes much more catchy and people can connect to the music more as it is familiar to them. The repetition of these chords anchors the structure and keeps the song together. Dm is held for two bars of 4/4 and F and C are played for one bar each. The structure of the song is: Intro, Verse 1, Chorus, Instrumental, Verse 2, Chorus, Chorus. A double chorus at the end gives the song a big finish and makes the song end on a strong tone. The song is about trying to forget a previous lover as he says "You're not so hard to forget, with all the lights out." The song can make their listeners emotionally interact with their song by looking back at an old relationship as the chorus is all about how the lights of their relationship have been put out. It is in the Rock genre.



Second Song:
Fix You - Coldplay

At the start of the song it builds with layers, it starts with vocals and a synth, and then an organ plays over. Later  piano plays the root chords, to give the song more of a solid tempo, then an acoustic guitar plays at the start of the third verse. Then the bridge comes in after the second chorus, with an electric guitar being introduced and a build on the drums, until they play heavy and sing the bridge. The music video is all about how they get to the stadium to sing this part with their live audience, and then the recording goes live with all their fans singing. Chords are: Verse: C, Em, Am7, C/G X4 - the repetition shows how the music is leading up to a big chorus it also make the music very simple and lets the listeners focus on the lyrics which are all about a relationship and how the relationship wasn't what you wanted. Chorus: F, Em, G, Gsaus4, F X2 F, Em, G, Gsaus4, C - The change in the last line makes the listener know that the chorus is ending, these chords use more notes, making the chorus sound fuller and bigger. Bridge: C, F, C, C/G, G, Am, F, C, C/G, G, C, F,C, C/G, G, Am7, C, C/G, G - The progression in this riff builds the intensity and makes the song seem as though it is reaching a final hit. Emotionally their listeners can relate to the song in their previous relationships and how sad break ups are. this song is in the Pop/Rock genre.