Music 18
Word count: 770
Solo Recital Essay I could interpret a lot of repeated sounds and notes during this recital. Depending on the song the performer was playing determined the tempo. For instance, at some parts of the songs where it was supposed to be fun and happy, the tempo would be relatively fast with a lot of short notes. When the song was trying to portray a more serious tone the musician would play slower with a lot of longer notes. Although there was two instruments being played, the violin and piano, the texture was monophonic. The violin was prominent and the piano just accented the violins notes. The melody was repetitive and full of energy and the harmony was dissonant.
This type of music does not really fit into the type of music I am used to listening to. I enjoy rap and hip hop. Rap and hip hop are a more free and fun kind of genre and violins usually produce a more serious or sad kind of sound. Although I am familiar with this type of music. I have played the violin for five years so it was definitely enjoyable to listen to. This concert made me miss playing the violin and made me remember all of the things I learned while playing it. For instance, you have to hold the violin a certain way and it was always difficult and uncomfortable to me. Another thing I remembered was the bow was made out of horse string and you had to tighten the bow before playing and put rosin on it and when you were done you had to loosen it before putting it away.
After reading all the information from this course, it has definitely changed the way I listen to music. There is a lot more to listen for than just the sound you hear. From this particular concert I noticed how the violinist wanted a more serious and sad tone he would play the G and D chord which were a lower tone pitch. While playing those strings, he would utilize the whole bow, making longer sounds. When he emphasized the more happy songs he would focus on the