Klarinet Archive - Posting 001334.txt from 1998/07

From: Craig Earl Countryman <cegc@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Classical Music and Young People
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1998 21:12:32 -0400

Sorry I couldn't get to Webster's, but I do have American Heritage Dictionary on
my computer so I thought I would give you their take on rap:

rap n. 1. slang A talk, conversation, or discussion. 2. Music. A form of popular
music characterized by spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics with a syncopated,
repetitive rhythmic accompaniment

Mark Charette wrote:

> Webster's is my standard on the meaning of the word "music" -
> "1) the art and science of combining vocal or instrumental sounds or tones
> in varying melody, harmony, rhythm, and timbre, esp. so as to form
> structurally complete and emotionally expressive compositions." Meanings 2
> and 3 follow from 1. I hear no melody, never mind a varying melody and no
> harmony. Therefore I feel it doesn't qualify as music. You may interpret
> Webster's differently. Your choice.
>

Rap his rhythm as its main focus, but also has instrumental harmony in the
background. The rhythmic cadence put forth using the voice acts as the melody.

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Craig Earl Countryman
cegc@-----.net
http://www.sneezy.org/clarinet/YPP/Craig.html
http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/1711/
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