Music plays a big part in each of our lives in unique ways. Whether it be through playing musical instruments, or just having an appreciation for the art, we are all affected somehow through music. The amazing thing about it is that we all have different music tastes and therefore are affected differently. You might not receive the same effect from a song or composition than the person next to you. You could have thought that it wasn't for you, but the person next to you could have loved it and totally be inspired by it! Today, a band called Tunnel 6 visited CKMS and played for us. The saxophonist asked us to tell us what we thought of while they played. Some people said it reminded them of distant friends. Others said it reminded them of their home. For me, I thought of Brooklyn, NY. It made me think of that night where we were out debating where to eat for dinner and some people decided to go to the Ethiopian place. The band then said that the song for them was actually written about an old river back in Canada. We all had different answers yet all of them were valid. The beauty of music is that there is so many different kinds of feelings you can experience just by listening, and it's uniquely tailored to you, and you only! It's this special connection and bond that you as the listener has. You can interpret the song as you'd like–there is no right or wrong. You are free to choose how you feel and your own emotions. For this week's constructive response, I will be sharing with you artists I turn to when I want to feel inspired.
One genre that I definitely turn to for inspiration is Classical. To be more specific, I like classical piano. Most people don't understand my love for classical piano often asking if someone's going to start singing or if there are lyrics to the piece. However, just because there is no singer or lyrics to a piece shouldn't negate to it's power, in my opinion. In this case, I actually think that not having any vocals strengthens the piece. You may be thinking, how can something with no lyrics inspire you? Although some people may think that classical piano is merely soft background music, and while some are, there are other pieces that are very intense. Classical can range from slow to extremely fast tempos, each making you feel a different way. Somehow each time you listen to the same song, you discover something new that you didn't catch the first time. Classical pieces are very complex, full of progressions, variations, and most importantly, emotion. It's amazing what kinds of emotions can be shown in a classical piece. Just one piece can be a combination of so many powerful, overwhelming emotions. My favorite pianists and composers would have to be Frédéric Chopin, Wolfgang Mozart, Ludwig Van Beethoven, Claude Debussy, and Johannes Brahms. I like Chopin and Beethoven the best, though. Chopin composes very peaceful romantic compositions and loves the use of grace notes. You've probably heard the famous "Nocturne in E-Flat Major, Op. 9, No. 2" and "Nocturne, Op. 48, No. 1" but if you haven't, you should give it a listen! I recommend "Waldstein Piano Sonata No. 21 in C Major Op. 53", and "Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13/PathéTique Movements" from Beethoven. If you want a very relaxing piece, I recommend the simple Pachelbel's "Canon in D", often played at weddings. For me, classical piano can be very inspiring because of it's ability to make you reflect easily.
Furthermore, an artist I like to listen to is Ed Sheeran. Ed Sheeran is a British singer songwriter with many different genres. I'd describe his music as acoustic pop. Many of you probably are familiar with his latest album, "X", or Multiply. In my opinion, that album really showed off his hip-hop side. The album previous to that, "+", or Plus, was more acoustic folk sounding. Regardless of the genre, I absolutely love his music! Along with his peaceful vocals and his guitar playing, his lyrics are truly beautiful! Though, I think it's not so much as the lyrics itself but how passionate he is as he sings is what makes his music inspirational to me. He really puts his heart and soul into every song. He isn't afraid to try things that may be unconventional or what other artists wouldn't do. Take his song, "Give Me Love" for example. In the bridge of the song he's practically yelling out to the listener in a cry for help. The first time I listened to that song I'll admit, I was kind of in shock. At the time it was a different approach and I've never heard anything like it. But over time, I've learned to appreciate it. If you watch videos of him singing live, you can really feel the music because of all the emotion he puts into it! I recommend "Give Me Love", "I'm A Mess", "Afire Love", "Little Lady", "The A Team", and "Cold Coffee".
The final artist I will be sharing with you is Melanie Martinez. Melanie Martinez is a singer songwriter in what I'd consider the alternative genre. What I love about her songs is that each individual song tells a different story. They are all so dark and meaningful but are all pieces to one big picture. Each song tells a part of the whole album! I thought that was really unique and interesting. Like Ed, her passion and emotion is visible in her songs. To be honest, when I first listened to a song by her, it was a little scary. All of her songs are very sad and gloomy. But as I started to listen to the rest of her album, I started to really enjoy it! Her lyrics in general are inspirational. That may be a bit ironic considering I just said how they were all sad but they were also very beautifully written! I think that's because all of her songs touch up on some serious, sad, topic. They all have a deep story embedded in the lyrics. I recommend, "Mrs. Potato Head", "Dollhouse", "Tag, You're It", and "Mad Hatter".
To conclude, we are all affected differently by music. When I want to feel inspired, I listen to classical piano, and songs by Ed Sheeran and Melanie Martinez. They are all great artists and I hope that you give them a listen! Who do you listen to for inspiration? Well, that is it for this week's constructed response! Thanks for reading! Bye!
One genre that I definitely turn to for inspiration is Classical. To be more specific, I like classical piano. Most people don't understand my love for classical piano often asking if someone's going to start singing or if there are lyrics to the piece. However, just because there is no singer or lyrics to a piece shouldn't negate to it's power, in my opinion. In this case, I actually think that not having any vocals strengthens the piece. You may be thinking, how can something with no lyrics inspire you? Although some people may think that classical piano is merely soft background music, and while some are, there are other pieces that are very intense. Classical can range from slow to extremely fast tempos, each making you feel a different way. Somehow each time you listen to the same song, you discover something new that you didn't catch the first time. Classical pieces are very complex, full of progressions, variations, and most importantly, emotion. It's amazing what kinds of emotions can be shown in a classical piece. Just one piece can be a combination of so many powerful, overwhelming emotions. My favorite pianists and composers would have to be Frédéric Chopin, Wolfgang Mozart, Ludwig Van Beethoven, Claude Debussy, and Johannes Brahms. I like Chopin and Beethoven the best, though. Chopin composes very peaceful romantic compositions and loves the use of grace notes. You've probably heard the famous "Nocturne in E-Flat Major, Op. 9, No. 2" and "Nocturne, Op. 48, No. 1" but if you haven't, you should give it a listen! I recommend "Waldstein Piano Sonata No. 21 in C Major Op. 53", and "Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13/PathéTique Movements" from Beethoven. If you want a very relaxing piece, I recommend the simple Pachelbel's "Canon in D", often played at weddings. For me, classical piano can be very inspiring because of it's ability to make you reflect easily.
Furthermore, an artist I like to listen to is Ed Sheeran. Ed Sheeran is a British singer songwriter with many different genres. I'd describe his music as acoustic pop. Many of you probably are familiar with his latest album, "X", or Multiply. In my opinion, that album really showed off his hip-hop side. The album previous to that, "+", or Plus, was more acoustic folk sounding. Regardless of the genre, I absolutely love his music! Along with his peaceful vocals and his guitar playing, his lyrics are truly beautiful! Though, I think it's not so much as the lyrics itself but how passionate he is as he sings is what makes his music inspirational to me. He really puts his heart and soul into every song. He isn't afraid to try things that may be unconventional or what other artists wouldn't do. Take his song, "Give Me Love" for example. In the bridge of the song he's practically yelling out to the listener in a cry for help. The first time I listened to that song I'll admit, I was kind of in shock. At the time it was a different approach and I've never heard anything like it. But over time, I've learned to appreciate it. If you watch videos of him singing live, you can really feel the music because of all the emotion he puts into it! I recommend "Give Me Love", "I'm A Mess", "Afire Love", "Little Lady", "The A Team", and "Cold Coffee".
The final artist I will be sharing with you is Melanie Martinez. Melanie Martinez is a singer songwriter in what I'd consider the alternative genre. What I love about her songs is that each individual song tells a different story. They are all so dark and meaningful but are all pieces to one big picture. Each song tells a part of the whole album! I thought that was really unique and interesting. Like Ed, her passion and emotion is visible in her songs. To be honest, when I first listened to a song by her, it was a little scary. All of her songs are very sad and gloomy. But as I started to listen to the rest of her album, I started to really enjoy it! Her lyrics in general are inspirational. That may be a bit ironic considering I just said how they were all sad but they were also very beautifully written! I think that's because all of her songs touch up on some serious, sad, topic. They all have a deep story embedded in the lyrics. I recommend, "Mrs. Potato Head", "Dollhouse", "Tag, You're It", and "Mad Hatter".
To conclude, we are all affected differently by music. When I want to feel inspired, I listen to classical piano, and songs by Ed Sheeran and Melanie Martinez. They are all great artists and I hope that you give them a listen! Who do you listen to for inspiration? Well, that is it for this week's constructed response! Thanks for reading! Bye!
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