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Texts about Music

Team JoWeKaBoe (Jever, Germany)

Hi there, we are two 17 years old guys who visit the 11th grade at the Mariengymnasium Jever. Our groups name is JoWeKaBö standing for Jochen Werner and Kai Böttcher (our names). Our music tastes are very different, I(Kai) almost only listens to rock and Jochen only to Hip Hop. You notice we want to talk about music, about different tastes of music, bands, rappers, singers… What do you like/don’t you like? Just write an E-mail to our address if you like!

Jamie (USA/China)

Music is a universal thing. Everyone in every country has his or her taste for music types. It is often inter lingual and intercultural. No matter what language you speak, you can enjoy the same type of music that another person around the world likes.

Music is more than just lyrics. Though that is quite a major part of it, it is the beat, the rhythm, and the feel that you get when you listen to it. People may not know that people in other countries, that speak a different language, can listen to the same music and have the same reaction. Music is deeper than the lyrics; they translate through the attitude of the singer and band, and the sound of the music. Many people here in china listen to American music, even though they have no idea what they are singing about. They can do this, and enjoy it because the music causes a reaction from within. You do not have to understand the words to get the meaning of a song. A major part of what you feel comes from the lyrics, but music is much more than just good lyrics. It is a way of communicating with each other. Emotions can be strongly and effectively communicated through the way music sounds. If the music is slow it tends to communicate love, or a strong feeling. Most people tend to interpret the louder screaming stuff as anger or hate, or even a deep love. It all depends on what you prefer and how you interpret things.

The purpose of this project is to find out what people in other countries enjoy listening to. Can you find common ground with people that you cannot necessarily talk to?

Here are some thought provoking questions that may help you discover the meaning of music in your culture.

What kind of music do you like? Why? What do you feel when you listen to it? Have you ever tried to listen to the same genre of music in another language? Did you feel the same when you did? What kind of music has the most significant impact on your society?

Alex and Aileen (Garbsen, Germany) Hello, we like any kind of Metal (speed metal, black metal, death metal), Rock (Punk rock, German rock, hard rock) and Punk. Our favourite bands are “Die Ärzte”, “Rammstein”, “Lordi”, “Wizo”, “The Offspring”, “Nightwish”, “System o a Down”, “Metallica”, “Marilyn Manson”, “Beatsteaks”, “Nirvana”, “Wir sind Helden”, “Elvis”, “Smashing Pumpkins”, “Sore”, “Dilaysa” and “Blink 182”. You can listen to music all the time. We listen to English and German music. Most people listen to Hip Hop and Rn’B and Rap. At our school about 15 – 20 people listen to Rock, Metal and Punk. I cannot udnerstand that people say the never listen to music.

Jonathan and Philipp (Jever, Germany) Hi! Nice taste of music you two! We (Philipp and Jonathan) listen to things like “Cradle of Filth”, “Das Ich”,”Lacrimosa”, “In Extremo”, “Subway to Sally”, “Blind Guardian”, “Hocico”, “Finntroll”, “Agathodiamon”, “The Doors”, “Nine Inch Nails”, “Rammstein”, “Muse”, “ACDC”, “System of a Down”, “Megadeth”, ... and everything we're to too lazy to list. The styles go from Heavy Metal to electronical music. The new Album Mezmerize from SOAD is very great, so, nice you listen to these things. At our school are a lot of guys who wear those black clothes like we do (Gothic freaks and Punks (lots of)).When we look at your music-list we think we could recommend “Subway to Sally” and “Cradle of Filth” to you. I (Jonathan) for my part am very crazy about music. I play in a heavy metal band (guitar, the pipes, and vocals), and Philipp produces good electronic music on his PC. All right, the lesson is over, we've got to quit. Bye, Phil and Johnny

Coby (USA)

Music...More Than Just Sound

I am a person who enjoys listening to music. I am not a music-aholic like some people I know, but I do enjoy music. When I say music-aholic, I mean people that are overly obsessed with the music they listen to, usually always have headphones on. Usually I just listen to music when I am driving. The reason I like to listen to music is that it keeps me from being bored when I drive. I have to drive 15 minutes to get to school, and that can get boring especially driving home at 1:00 A.M. after getting back from a sports trip. Of course I also listen to music when I am at dances, parties, or concerts. I like all types of music except for classic music or the extreme metal stuff. There are many cool things about music.

Some of my favorite music groups are Less Than Jake, Eminem, Greenday, Atreyu, Blaine Larson, and Kanye West. So as you can see, I enjoy music from all genr es. The other type of music that I can’t stand is like the whole N'Sync, Backstreet, Britney Spears; I can’t stand that sort of stuff either. I don’t consider myself picky, but I have some friends that are extremely dedicated to one certain genre of music. That is okay with me, but I personally like to be more flexible and open with my music options.

One cool thing about music is that it is always cool. What I mean by that is that a song that was cool in the '70s can be still be cool and popular today. I can’t think of a lot of other things that can remain popular over a couple decades. My parents still are listening to Grateful Dead and Pink Floyd even though it has been many years since they last made an album. A lot of people like the '80s music and '70s rock music. The only other thing that I can think of that can remain popular over many years would be movies.

Another great thing about music is that it is easy to connect to. There is a certain type of m usic for different activities. When I'm driving, I like to listen to hip-hop, rap stuff because of the beat. When I am lifting weights or something like that, I enjoy music in the punk rock music genre. So as you can see, there is a music genre for every mood. Music is a something that can be relaxing to some people, or gets some people pumped up before a big game.

Music can also be considered a form of self-expression. Many people listen to sad songs when they are sad or energetic, and loud songs when they are feeling excited. Music can also be a form of self-expression because anyone can make music. Music isn’t something you just have to listen to, to enjoy, you make it yourself. I have a lot of friends that are in bands so they can play music that expresses the way they feel. Being able to create music and write songs can be fun for some people, and others have a talent to make it into a living.

Overall I feel like music is something that is a great form of entertainment and self-expression. Music has been part of society for hundreds of years and will continue to be in society for hundreds of more years. Music will continue to thrive in the world as long as the world exists. Like Aaron Copland once said, "To stop the flow of music would be like the stopping of time itself, incredible and inconceivable."

Coby Love Forks High School Forks, Washington USA

Virtual High School www.govhs.org v November 27th, 2005

Courtney (USA)

Living in Harmony

Music, in my definition, is the expression of the soul that lets out all emotion, free flowing, and sharing with others so they can relate. Music’s purpose is not only to entertain but it is also designed for people to express themselves through a carefully planned and organized piece of melodious notes for all that want to hear.

There are many different types of music. Country, rap, classical, you name it. There are many differences to the styles of this music, but there is one thing that they have in common: a purpose. This purpose is not only to amuse but also to project a meaning to its listeners. The message, rather than what the song actually sounds like, is what the listener must learn to appreciate. Every single song has a meaning, and while sometimes it’s hidden, other times it’s not. For example, Voodoo by Godsmack is about the lead singer’s former addiction to heroin. The only lyr ics you can relate to the message, though, are in the opening lines: “I'm not the one who's so far away; When I feel the snake bite enter my veins; Never did I wanna be here again; And I don't remember why I came.” The issue addressed in this song is not clearly stated by the lyrics, but more implied and supports a subliminal message. Then, there are songs that have a meaning clearly acknowledged by the lyrics, such as Blessed the Broken Road by Rascal Flatts: “Every long lost dream led me to where you are; Others who broke my heart they were like northern stars; Pointing me on my way into your loving arms; This much I know is true; That God blessed the broken road; That led me straight to you.” This song is obviously self-explanatory by the contents of its lyrics. My point being is these are two totally different types of songs, differentiated by the way they are written, but they get their message across. The messages are also both very different themselves, but in the son gs, both bands and or artists were able to express their emotions through the wonderful thing we call music.

Music has its many differences, and so do people. If music and people are so similar in so many ways, it means that every single person, regardless of these differences, also has a purpose. These differences are infinite, some of which could be taste in music, differences in culture, religion, or skin color. But is it not true that deep down inside, we all feel the same way about a lot of things? It is very true that we are all only human, and we are all capable of sharing the same feelings about the same things that others may feel also, despite our differences. Point being, every human being can relate to any message in a song, the same way as any other person. People can relate to the message in the song “Une Monde Parfait” (A Perfect World), by Ilona Metrecy. This song is sung in the language of French, but when you translate the meaning, anybody can rela te to it. This does not mean everybody interprets it the same way, but everybody has his or her own perspective. The song sings about what a utopia might be like, and the fantasies that may come true. Who in this world has denied their mind the right to a fantasy? Who has not thought about what their perfect world would be like? Every person on the face of this earth can relate to this song, regardless of the fact that it is sung in French by an eleven-year-old girl. One of the strongest purposes of music is to bring people together.

What do you think of when you hear the word unity? What about togetherness? How about harmony? One word that could eventually pop into people’s minds is music. Even though one may question the fact that music symbolizes all of these things, it does in many ways. Music is something combined to create harmony; notes played on different instruments, merged together as one. The words come together to demonstrate a message, and the person por traying it validated their abilities to put it all together. The message is this: we all have the potential to live in harmony, and we all have the potential to create unity. Music reaches out to everybody all over the world, and it doesn’t pay attention to age, race, or religion. Music is something that very well could amalgamate us all.

Music portrays many different things in many different ways. But music, in many ways, is like the people of today. Music has many different messages that are delivered in different ways. However, music also has a lot of similar messages, delivered in different ways. This just goes to show that everybody in the world is different, but deep down inside, we are all meant to be as one.

Courtney Taylor Coventry High School Coventry, Connecticut USA

Virtual High School www.govhs.org

December 1, 2005

Amanda (USA)

Regarding music in movies. Entertaining the Masses

Music is very important to all forms of entertainment. It is a form of entertainment in its own right, so it makes sense that it would enhance the experience of other forms of entertainment. In movies, it affects the moods we are in, and it translates to all languages. It affects how we view scenes, and how we react to seeing different things happen to the characters. It can make our opinion of the movie change, depending on how we felt the music meshed with the scenes. Also, whether we realize it or not, we are always analyzing the way theme music goes with a certain film, and how it makes us feel about the movie.

In movies, music can be universal in that most movies with musical scores keep that same music even when the movie itself is translated into another language. The tune of a piece of music can carry over to different countries, even if the people there don't know what the words mean. People in America have been known to hum J-pop tunes from commercials or other media they have encountered, and I've witnessed this first-hand. An excellent example is found in the growing popularity of Anime movies. The card game Yu-Gi-Oh! and the corresponding television show are quite popular, and recently there was a rather large movie event involving it. The music in the movie was Japanese-composed, and yet, Americans who saw the movie enjoyed the music. You will always find people who have run across some obscure movie with foreign music, and decide they like the sound of it. These people are the ones I speak of, humming strange tunes and singing along with words they don't even understand.

Music is especially important in movies, and it can make a box office hit, or a B-rated film. It can set the mood for a scene, making the viewers ready to see a bloody battle scene, or a touching romantic scene. Soft, touching music is used mainly in comedies and other movies that are meant to be wholesome and to teach a lesson, while hard rock and epic tunes are often used in movies that have a lot of battles or hardships that face the main characters. An example of a movie that was not generally popular, but is still considered fairly good because of its excellent soundtrack is Underworld. I know that I liked it mainly because of its music, and how well it meshed with the story and things that were going on. The movie Batman Begins is another example of a wonderful musical score. The music in that film made it less of a run-of-the-mill Batman movie, and into something amazing that many people enjoyed watching.

The music to some of my favorite movies (The Lord of the Rings trilogy) won some awards all on its own, and that fact says something toward how entertaining and enjoyable to listen to it was. It was a top seller for Christmas the year it came out, both because of the popularity of the movi es, and the skill that the music was composed and executed with. The multi-layered soundtrack was so innovative and well done, it surprised many people, and it helped make their movie experience much better. One of the many reasons that the movies were so popular was that the music fitted the movie and evoked a feeling of the fantastic events and the time period that they were trying to express.

All of those movies probably would have been good without the music, but think about it- Can you imagine them without it? Probably not, because music in movies is such a necessity that although people are not consciously analyzing it, their subconscious picks up on the emotions evoked by these tunes and helps make the experience good or bad. Whether you understand what the words to the music mean, the tune itself is more important to communicating the message of the song. These days, filmmakers seem to be getting more skilled at matching music to their films, and I believe i t is a change for the better.

Amanda Bruso Holy Name High School Worcester, Massachusetts USA

Virtual High School www.govhs.org

November 23, 2005

Coby (USA)

More to Movies Than Meets the Eye

Movies are a huge part of the American culture. Movies are also a huge part of entertainment in America. Every year millions and millions of dollars are spent by Americans to go watch a movie in theater or to rent movies. I can attest to being one of those people who probably spends over or around a hundred dollars a year buying movie tickets or renting movies. Some joys of movies are the plot lines, the way they are made, and the story that they tell. Movies also are appropriate for certain things, like to tell a story, and offer people a chance to be critics.

I love going to the movies even though it is an hour drive, or renting a couple movies for a raining Saturday afternoon. Personally I enjoy movies for the stories that they tell. Everyone, though, has their own reason why they love to watch movies. There is a type of movie for everyone and for every occasion. There are little kid movies like Spy Kids and Shrek, and then there are movies called chick flicks, such as the Notebook or Cinderella Story. Those are just two examples, but there are many more movie genres.

Movies are an excellent way to tell a story. A lot of movies are based on books. Even though I am a huge fan of movies, the book is usually better. The book and the movie both have their own separate qualities. For instance, if you can’t stay focused on a book, then watching the movie is a good way to go. If you love little details, then it is probably safe to say that the movie will probably disappoint you. Personally I would rather not read the book and just watch the movie.

After I took a film class in school, I found myself analyzing movies when I watched them. For instance, I noticed that some movies aren't lighted real well or the camera angles aren’t so great. For the most part I also like to watch movies to pick up on the little things that make movies good, for instance camera angles, transitions, lighting, and editing.

Being able to pick up on little things like camera angles and transition shots can make a good movie even better to watch. For instance, in the movie Crash they use a lot of good transition shots. A good transition shot would be when someone goes to open a door, and when the door opens, it is a new scene; they transition from scene to scene or person to person using transitions like that.

My favorite types of movies are war/action, scary, comedy, and sports. I love to go to the theater and watch movies, however it is a little over an hour drive to the nearest theater. I can’t really list any favorite movies off the top of my head at the moment. Here are a few of my favorites though: Mystic River, Crash, Saw, Saw 2, Blow, 61, Scarface, Hostage, It, The Shining, White Noise, and Black Hawk Down. I have many more movies that I love, but those are just a few.

Overall I feel like movies have a lot to offer. They are entertaining as well as informative, like documentaries. Movies can tell a story better than any other form of entertainment. In years to come movies will get even better with more elaborate plot lines and probably more special effects. One thing that will stay the same is that movies will continue to be a great form of entertainment for people of all ages.

Coby Love Forks High School Forks, Washington USA

Virtual High School www.govhs.org

December 7th, 2005

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