 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: AJ
Date: 2004-08-03 15:39
Hello,
I just read The Mozart Effect and how classical music can deeply effect people's lives. I feel like its a shame that so many people dont really listen to classical music. I just want some suggestions of how I could get people to listen to classical music more. And just telling them really doesn't help. Any suggestions? Thanx
AJ
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2004-08-03 20:54
It's one of those things that you can't make people do, and you can't make them like. As a musician you automatically have some level of appreciation for it, but many people do not. Classical music is viewed by some people as similar to a museum... if they want a highly intellectual "hmm" experience, they'll go to it, but otherwise they'll steer clear. (Modern music as a modern art museum is even more daunting )
The best advice I can give is to try to find a niche for the person in question. Often that niche is through film or semi-operatic musical theatre, as they are perhaps more approachable to the general public.
Otherwise, find some CDs that are more fun/exciting and/or in "film music language" (e.g. Rimsky-Korsakov, Corigliano, Copland, Gershwin, Bernstein, Malcolm Arnold, John Zorn) or ones that relate to someone's background (e.g. Piazzola's "Maria de Buenos Aires", Brahms' Hungarian Dances). In essence, (and I'm guessing you're of the younger set?) don't try foisting Bach or Mozart onto someone who has trouble with "classical" (a lump category that doesn't help the situation) music.
Also, I'm finding that there are a couple different kinds of "non-classical-music-people"... those that avoid it entirely, and those that give it an honest try and are unenthralled at concerts and so stick to the more popular genres. In my own writing, I try to put something in for the second of those groups (which I insist, tooth and nail, is not selling out).
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-08-03 21:48
Undoubtedly thousands yea millions of people have lived and died without listening to "classical music". So...perhaps you are trying to influence one particular person? Leonard Bernstein was, IMHO, the most successful person in the 20th Century to influence people to listen to classical music.
If you are prepared to follow in his shoes then there may be hope for you.
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Author: AJ
Date: 2004-08-04 08:08
I think I am! And I know throwing Bach and Mozart in people's faces would just get people to stop listening to classical music even more. Ill go with the contemporary music and maybe try and put it in a funny movie somehow.
I tried getting my brother into classical music. I threw some really interesting music in his face like Gershwin's Rhapsodie in Blue. He really liked it! (But I think he was just trying to be nice). I maybe not be trying just influence one person but just to make people more aware that there is this type of music out there.
After practice at the orchestra when my brother picks me up he puts on rock or heavy metal or something. I literally get a headache. I just cant listen to it and I dont understand how people enjoy it. I am only 16 so forgive me if I sound naive.
Like my english teacher for example, she is into country music. I gave a CD filled with clarinet concerto's and she kept it for a long time and even played it while she was teaching in some of her classes. She even asked for some more.
So maybe for a lot out there they just were never given the chance to listen to it. So I really like the movie idea and I'll fill the movie up with classical music.
AJ
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Author: Selphie
Date: 2004-08-04 09:35
AJ said...
'After practice at the orchestra when my brother picks me up he puts on rock or heavy metal or something. I literally get a headache. I just cant listen to it and I dont understand how people enjoy it. I am only 16 so forgive me if I sound naive. '
That is exactly the same attitude as people who say they don't like orchestral music,I like everything from Mozart and Handel to Copland and Glass,Led Zeppelin and T-Rex,Nickelback to Slipknot.I was brought up listening to orchestral music alongside Led Zep and Queen,I probably listen to rock and orchestral in about a 50/50 mix and I'll be 32 in 2 weeks!
My seven year old son loves The Rasmus and McFly and also has his own cd's of 'classical'(hate using that term out of context)music,to him it's just music...all of it!
I play clarinet,recorder and drums and have in the past played oboe,sax,violin and guitar so I consider myself to fit into both camps pretty well.
Post Edited (2004-08-04 09:37)
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Author: Brenda
Date: 2004-08-04 15:57
Early, early, early childhood education!! Some elementary schools will play carefully selected instrumental pieces before morning announcements. The little ones don't even have an idea of what they're listening to, and later find out that strangely this music appeals to them without knowing why.
There's a quote in my appointment book from Allen Flint (whoever he is) that makes sense: "When people are smiling they are most receptive to almost anything you want to teach them." This could explain the acceptance of classical music in cartoons and in films.
Also, the choice of music offered should be governed by the mood of the audience. Haven't you noticed that often it's the "sentimental" classical music that has the healing power? When someone's emotionally vulnerable - is stressed out due to extreme fatigue or tragic events - that's when the slow, harmonious tones cause emotional healing (think of Samuel Barber's "Adagio for Strings" for presidential funerals). Somehow "Mars" from Holtz's "The Planets" wouldn't do the trick - it's great for other times. A lot of the classical music on the station I often listen to wouldn't qualify either. A lot of it raises my anxiety level at work and I have to switch stations.
A local pianist/composer here in Ontario, Robert Bruce, released his own compositions on CD. Based on the response, he designed a series of recitals designed to cause inner healing. He doesn't allow applause during the recital allowing the musical spell to be woven and sustained during the evening. Those who have experienced traumatic events in life find that this music is a release for them, and those other members of the audience just find that it's tremendously relaxing. I found the CD to be especially healing during the stressful income tax season, but not at other times.
Also, the book noted the power of healing when familiar music is played at a time of trauma, whether it's slow or not. Thus the need for parents to do their homework and play good music for children before (aproximately from the 6th month of pregnancy forward) and after their birth. I know from experience with my four children that familiar music can mezmorize them and change their moods on difficult days.
Orchestras need to be including such EARLY education in their outreach programs. Some orchestras are doing this with success, but continued effort is needed.
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Author: Jim E.
Date: 2004-08-05 04:25
All respect to the educastional efforts of the late Mr.Bernstein, but I suspect that the single greatest force in bringing classical music to kids was the cartoons I watched as a kid in the 50s and 60s. Presumably classical was used because it was in the public domain and royalities were not due.
I'm not sure that I buy into the "Mozart effect." I grew up with a mom who listened to the early rock and roll of the time and a dad who prefered talk radio, then in its infancy. I studied clarinet with a guy whose favorite gig was the local Burelesque house, but I mostly listen to classical, and I married a classical pianist.
Our son (who mostly seems to favor me genetically) grew up with a heavy dose of classical music, and is a musician and clarinetist, but prefers jazz. He surely is a better musician than I am, but I'm much more creative than he is. We both have been above average students when we wanted to be.
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Author: AJ
Date: 2004-08-05 08:26
From my understanding of the book, the Mozart Effect isnt something you "buy" into. Its scientifically proven that certain types of music will affect heart rate, they arent sure why but there is something in the music that triggers the heart to beat according to the beat of the music. With a slower more controlled heart rate you have more control over your breather giving more oxygen to your body boosting your immune system. With faster music like today's it highers the heart rate, meaning higher blood pressure and much less oxygenation. My dad is a doctor and my mom is a nurse and I did confirm all of this with them.
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Author: Selphie
Date: 2004-08-05 09:05
The raising of heart rate etc isn't just confined to contemporary music,think of something like 'Sabre Dance' or 'Flight of the Bumblebee'they can certainly get your pulse racing which is not always a bad thing by any means,I use music to enhance and change my mood,sometimes you want music to energize you,other times you want to be mellow and reflective,I'll listen to Finzi to help me sleep and Linkin Park while I work out.It's nice to have some variety,an understanding of one style of music helps you to see something in them all.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-08-05 15:35
Yes, and I have read that cutting a hole in one's head can calm one too.
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Author: AJ
Date: 2004-08-05 16:51
Thats true, im not saying everybody should only listen to classical music!! But maybe people should be more aware that there is classical music out there, calming and up-beat. My brother is telling me to also be open minded about modern music, which Im trying to do...yet its tough...for me...so far.
AJ
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Author: Clarinetist
Date: 2004-08-05 20:11
Nobody can be forced to listen classical, really. Many people find classical music at least in some stage in their lives. Some find it sooner and some later and some like something else better. I have be intrested in music for quite a many years, but I started listen classical music not until I turn out 14. I´m know 17, so I have listen classical music only 3 years or so. Now I listen to it almost everyday. I listen clarinet music the most. So my opinion is that, sadly there will always be just some of us who will listen classical music and there is nothing really that we can do about it.
All the best
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Author: Camanda
Date: 2004-08-05 21:00
I've been experiencing music my whole life in one way or another. I'm sure I was around it continually before I was born; my father, aunt, and late grandfather were always playing fiddle together before I was born and for some time after until Pepere passed on in January 2002. I was always hearing country and classic rock when I was little, and as I got older, I found some of my own stuff that I liked, including classical and jazz (my parents can't stand either type). Nowadays I always have music on when I do homework, read, or use the computer.
You really want to force people to listen to what you like? Drive 'em around in your car. Some of my friends won't ride with me because I don't let them change the radio (I'd have to change it back, and I've only been driving for a couple weeks, so I'm too nervous for that), and they think my music is dorky and old. I like The Eagles, sue me. Those guys wrote great songs and they could harmonize like no one's business. And after a while, you'll hear the biggest naysayer in the vehicle humming to a familiar tune of yours.
You like what you like -- it doesn't make you any more or less of a musician, or, for that matter, a human being. I have a friend who I spend 11 minutes of most days with, reciting Weird Al's "Albuquerque" the entire way through. Then we part ways, and he goes and sings madrigals and I play Weber on my clarinet. Personally, I think by exposing yourself to more kinds of music, you become a better musician and a more well-rounded person.
If you, AJ, want to start appreciating more modern music, start by listening to something related to what you already like. You're an orchestra musician. Go buy a Moody Blues CD. Yeah, I could try being more recent, but I like old music. Their 1968 record (In Search of the Lost Chord) is full of orchestral instruments, and they tend to keep that same theme throughout the rest of their music. I recommend them to everyone, anyway.
I think this is my five cents, it's kinda long.
Amanda Cournoyer
URI Clarinet Ensemble, Bass Clarinet
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