Rhythm is defined as "a strong, regular, repeated pattern of movement or sound". In music, rhythm is typically very uniform and set and there is not much lenience. The rhythms are divided up perfectly and mathematically with the tempo so they are extremely precise and always accurate. However, we as humans are not robots, so it is impossible to make everything we play mechanical and perfect with math. We can get pretty darn close, but in actuality our rhythms and what we play will never be absolutely in time and flawless. It is simply impossible. This is part of how we get rhythmic interpretation.
It becomes harder to play perfectly in time the more complicated the rhythms become. Half, quarter, eighth, sixteenth, or basically any multiple of four not rhythms are typically easier to play in time. More difficulty comes with groupings of three or five or some other odd number. Since the rhythms are more complicated, it is easier to interpret them in more different ways. Although not everything is perfectly in time, there are multiple ways that can be correct.
Oftentimes musicians stretch or emphasize rhythms during solos. It is their time to shine, and it shows musicality if you do it correctly. Certain notes in a phrase are more important than others, so it makes sense to hold on to those a little longer than written. Doing such makes the piece more musical and that shows great skill and understanding of music.
In music, there is no right or wrong way to be musical or interpretive. The ability to improvise or slightly change things is what makes music interesting and beautiful.
Sunday, December 6, 2015
Diction
The definition of diction is "the choice and use of words and phrases in speaking or writing". We have learned about this term a lot over the past semester in my AP Language and Composition class. However, this term has a slightly different meaning in music. In music, diction can be defined as "the pronunciation and enunciation of words in singing". Oftentimes, when singers are singing their lines they are told to use their diction to enunciate the words they are singing. This is especially stressed in show choir. During the concert choir season, the directors often tell their students to use 'show choir diction'.
When young students sing, they do not always think about how their words sound to their audience. The students know the lyrics and the words they are singing, so they do not think about if their audience can understand them and what they are saying. Sometimes singers do not concentrate on pronunciation and it just sounds like they are singing mush. The words are not distinct or clear and it is impossible to decipher the lyrics. To avoid this the singers must be sure to always make sure they pronounce both the beginnings and the ends of their words. Perhaps the hardest words to do this with are words that end with the letter 't'. It is easy to simply run the middle of these words into the beginning of the next word without fully pronouncing the 't' sound. However, if you actually take the time to think about it, it is easy to make your words sound clear and crisp to the audience.
When young students sing, they do not always think about how their words sound to their audience. The students know the lyrics and the words they are singing, so they do not think about if their audience can understand them and what they are saying. Sometimes singers do not concentrate on pronunciation and it just sounds like they are singing mush. The words are not distinct or clear and it is impossible to decipher the lyrics. To avoid this the singers must be sure to always make sure they pronounce both the beginnings and the ends of their words. Perhaps the hardest words to do this with are words that end with the letter 't'. It is easy to simply run the middle of these words into the beginning of the next word without fully pronouncing the 't' sound. However, if you actually take the time to think about it, it is easy to make your words sound clear and crisp to the audience.
Life as an Instrument Repair Technician
Instrument repair technicians are very valuable in the area of music. Instruments can break or get damaged very easily, so it is important to know someone in the area who can repair it for you. Studying to be a repair technician is hard work, but it pays off once you achieve a certain level of mastery.
Many instrument repair technicians do not repair every single instrument known to man. Usually technicians specialize in a certain section or area of instruments. For example, a technician may specialize in just repairing woodwind instruments, or just brass instruments. They do this because repair technicians have to be able to play all the instruments they repair. In order to assess the problem, you often have to play the instrument to see what is wrong. Similarly, when the technician thinks he or she is done repairing, he or she must play the instrument again to make sure it is all fixed. Learning to play every single instrument at a high level is extremely hard work, so the technicians usually stick to the category that their primary instrument is in. If I were a customer looking for someone to repair my instrument, I would trust a woodwind repair technician more than I would trust someone who repairs all kinds of instruments because I would think that the woodwind specialist is better at dealing with my instrument.
Instrument repair technicians generally make a decent salary and a good living. Instruments are not cheap, and neither is repairing them. Technicians can charge more money for their services because it really is hard work that is expected to be done with top notch quality. Technicians typically make much more money than professional musicians or private lesson teachers. Another perk of being an instrument repair technician is that you often get to run your own business. Some technicians work out of a music shop or go into business with a store, but most run their own studios. Being your own boss is very nice, but it is also sometimes hard keeping up with running your own business. However, overall, I think the benefits outweigh the negative aspects.
When I go to college, I know for sure I would like to major in some type of music. I do not know what I want to do with music yet, but I have certainly considered studying to become an instrument repair technician. Taking thins apart and seeing how they work fascinates me, so I believe it is something I would enjoy doing for a living. Other types of music careers I have considered include a professional musician, a private lesson teacher, or a band director. I love playing my instrument, but I know it is not likely that I will have a very easy life doing that as my profession. I do not like the idea of teaching lessons privately as much because my mom was a private lesson teacher for flute, so I have first hand knowledge of what it is like. It is a hard job, but it is also very rewarding seeing how much you can impact a student's life. Seeing them achieve success brought my mother great joy often. I have considered being a band director for a long time now. My band director is also my private lesson teacher, so we are much closer than she is with most students. She has advised me to not become a band director, as have others in the area. It is an extremely stressful job trying to teach students sometimes, but like private lessons, I believe it can also be extremely rewarding. I do not know what I wish to do yet, but I am sure that as long as it is in the area of music I am making the right decision.
Many instrument repair technicians do not repair every single instrument known to man. Usually technicians specialize in a certain section or area of instruments. For example, a technician may specialize in just repairing woodwind instruments, or just brass instruments. They do this because repair technicians have to be able to play all the instruments they repair. In order to assess the problem, you often have to play the instrument to see what is wrong. Similarly, when the technician thinks he or she is done repairing, he or she must play the instrument again to make sure it is all fixed. Learning to play every single instrument at a high level is extremely hard work, so the technicians usually stick to the category that their primary instrument is in. If I were a customer looking for someone to repair my instrument, I would trust a woodwind repair technician more than I would trust someone who repairs all kinds of instruments because I would think that the woodwind specialist is better at dealing with my instrument.
Instrument repair technicians generally make a decent salary and a good living. Instruments are not cheap, and neither is repairing them. Technicians can charge more money for their services because it really is hard work that is expected to be done with top notch quality. Technicians typically make much more money than professional musicians or private lesson teachers. Another perk of being an instrument repair technician is that you often get to run your own business. Some technicians work out of a music shop or go into business with a store, but most run their own studios. Being your own boss is very nice, but it is also sometimes hard keeping up with running your own business. However, overall, I think the benefits outweigh the negative aspects.
When I go to college, I know for sure I would like to major in some type of music. I do not know what I want to do with music yet, but I have certainly considered studying to become an instrument repair technician. Taking thins apart and seeing how they work fascinates me, so I believe it is something I would enjoy doing for a living. Other types of music careers I have considered include a professional musician, a private lesson teacher, or a band director. I love playing my instrument, but I know it is not likely that I will have a very easy life doing that as my profession. I do not like the idea of teaching lessons privately as much because my mom was a private lesson teacher for flute, so I have first hand knowledge of what it is like. It is a hard job, but it is also very rewarding seeing how much you can impact a student's life. Seeing them achieve success brought my mother great joy often. I have considered being a band director for a long time now. My band director is also my private lesson teacher, so we are much closer than she is with most students. She has advised me to not become a band director, as have others in the area. It is an extremely stressful job trying to teach students sometimes, but like private lessons, I believe it can also be extremely rewarding. I do not know what I wish to do yet, but I am sure that as long as it is in the area of music I am making the right decision.
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