Jennifer Blair
Professor Constance Berman
Humanities 121-10
June 18, 2024
Music and the Human Condition
Section One
The musical genres I chose for this assignment are Celtic and Country since they are two of my favorites. One piece that I truly appreciate more than before this class is “Greensleeves” by Ella Roberts. This song starts out slowly and mysteriously and gradually more instruments join in, noticeably the flute and the bagpipes. Roberts does not sing lyrics in this song, but she does hum the melody beautifully throughout it. It is haunting, and when I close my eyes, I am instantly transported to a misty loch somewhere in Scotland. I had never paid attention to the build-up and intensity of this song before and when I really listened, I was thrilled to pick out those individual instruments, each complimenting each other and creating a genuine Celtic atmosphere.
In What to Listen For in Music, Aaron Copland writes “The lay listener is asked to remember that even the most complex rhythms were meant for his ears. They need not be analyzed to be enjoyed.” (37-38) I agree, however, I have discovered that by doing a bit of analyzation, I have gained more appreciation for the music I love, and especially for the musicians.
I also spent some additional time listening to “Heartland” by Celtic Thunder and the big bass drum sparks almost a primal instinct. It is like a call to war, while the chorus and melody seem to glide along like silk, begging me to sing along, however, most of the chorus is in Gaelic. I find the Gaelic language so beautiful! It is music in and of itself. For me, Celtic music sends me back in time, and to another place.
“Many a fine melody has been made by some slight rhythmic change. But most important of all, its expressive quality must be such as will arouse an emotional response in the listener. “(Copeland, 40). This brings me to my second musical genre.
In the realm of Country, I chose to focus on the Zac Brown Band and their extensive songbook. Their music captivates me, Zac Brown’s voice is one I could listen to forever, and I definitely get goosebumps during some of the violin solos. The band’s music is catchy, and the lyrics tell amazing stories. I find myself relating to so many of their songs that it is hard to narrow it down, but I will try.
The song “Bittersweet” starts out with a haunting, tear-jerking violin. It is about a man mourning the loss of his love after she passes away from what I suspect to be cancer. After the intro, the instruments are mostly subtle throughout the majority of the song, with the focus on the melody, and on Brown’s vocals, and the heartfelt story it tells. In the middle there is a big climax, then a bit of a tempo change for a moment, and it is powerful!
“Let it Go” is another song with a great melody and a message. “No, you’re not the only ship out on the ocean; save your strength for things that you can change, forgive the ones you can’t; you gotta let it go”. (Zac Brown Band) This song reminds me to live in the moment, to not stress over the small stuff. It also features the violin heavily and I love that. It’s a song of encouragement and it always lifts my spirits. Several other Zac Brown Band songs hold special meaning for me. “Highway 20 Ride” reminds me of driving out to Rochester to visit my son when he was in college. It always made me cry, but I loved it so! “2 Places at 1 Time” makes me long for Scotland, while still loving where I live, and being close to my family. “The Man Who Loves You the Most” is the sweet song I can see my significant other dancing the father/daughter dance to at his daughter’s wedding someday. All these songs strike emotional chords in me. I cry, I smile, I sing along to all of them. I find that the melding of the musicians and their instruments with the singer’s tender vocals combine to create art that touches the soul. They make music people can relate to. While I can’t say I picked up on any musical nuances in their songs that I had not noticed before, I concluded that it’s their emotional vulnerability and the stories they tell that make theirs some of the best music I have ever heard.
In the documentary “Hearing: Science of the Senses”, Dr. Oliver Sacks describes music in this way, “Of all the arts, music is the most mysterious. It can affect one profoundly and yet it is not representative, it is not symbolic in the way of language. It doesn’t depict like a painting. One can’t say what music is about, unless it is a status of mind and status of the heart.”
While music brings people together, it is also such a personal art. Each song or piece of music can stir different emotions in people who are listening to it at the same time. It can spark memories and conjure emotional responses. It can be an anthem that encourages someone when they need some support. It can be fun and happy, causing people to want to get up and dance. Music can soothe the savage beast, so the saying goes. It is a gift that those with musical talent share with the world, and I love and appreciate the works of art they’ve given us.
Section Two
In chapter 17 of What to Listen for in Music, Copland delves into the art of composing music for films. “Not the least mysterious element is the theatergoers’ reaction; Millions will be listening but one never knows how many will be really hearing.” (210)
That is a fact. How many times have you watched a movie and not heard any of the musical score throughout it? In productions like musicals, obviously the music takes center stage, but in other movies like action or drama, or even comedy, I know that the music doesn’t usually even register with me. This course has been great because it’s caused me to pay more attention to the whole production. The most noteworthy moments for me were when I watched parts of movies without the sound on. It is a completely different experience. In one, I noticed things that I hadn’t previously. In the other, I felt an almost complete loss of emotion.
I had done some research on composer John Williams for the bonus assignment “Music composing for Film”, and while I always liked and recognized the theme song to Jurassic Park, I did not realize how much of an impact the musical score made for that movie. I watched a scene that always made me cry but when I watched it with the sound tuned off, I shed no tears. “And then there’s the “Welcome to Jurassic Park” scene when the doctors are brought in on the Jeeps and see the dinosaurs for the first time; the music brings the animals to life! In fact, the “background” music during that scene seems to embody the creatures, and without it, the video totally loses its impact.” (Blair; bonus assignment). Later on, I listened to samples of the soundtrack on iTunes and it was astonishing! It brought me right back into the movie. The feeling of suspense, the grandeur, the majesty, the eerie sounds, all brought together by an orchestra of musicians artfully completing the scenes, for without their music, the movie has so much less depth or “flesh”. This is not to say that Jurassic Park is not cinematically well done, because it is, but without the music it fails to make that full impression. More than half the emotion is removed without it. Taking part in this class has opened my eyes (and ears) to the art of composing for film. I will forever be listening to that “background” music that I used to so easily tune out, and be appreciative of all the hard work, time and talent that went into making a movie a true feast for all the senses.
Works Cited
“2 Places at 1 Time.” Welcome Home, Zac Brown Band, No Reserve, 12 May 2017. iTunes app.
“Bittersweet.” Jekyll + Hyde, Zac Brown Band, No Reserve, 28 Apr. 2015. iTunes app.
Blair, Jennifer. “Bonus- Music Composing for Film.” Intro to Humanities, Berkshire Community College, Unpublished paper, 2024.
Copland, Aaron. What to Listen for in Music. Signet Classics, 2011.
“Greensleeves.” Celtic Dreams, performance by Ella Roberts, The SongStore, 24 May 2022. iTunes app.
Hearing: Science of the Senses. Directed by Elise Swerhone, interview by Dr. Oliver Sacks, Merit Motion Pictures, 2008. YouTube, uploaded by Breakthrough Entertainment, www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9a5nS6UpFM.
“Heartland.” Very Best of Celtic Thunder, performance by Celtic Thunder, Green Hill Productions, 10 Mar. 2015. iTunes app.
“Highway 20 Ride.” The Foundation, Zac Brown Band, No Reserve, 18 Nov. 2008. iTunes app.
“Let It Go.” You Get What You Give, Zac Brown Band, No Reserve, 21 Sept. 2010. iTunes app.
Williams, John. Jurassic Park (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. Geffen Records, 1993. iTunes app.
Zac Brown Band. The Man Who Loves You the Most. No Reserve, 2020. iTunes app.