 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Amber
Date: 2000-12-23 19:46
I have a music theory project and I have no idea how to do it!! EKKK! How do I look up Gershwin and find out what things he did to revolutionize or add to the music world * other then write really cool music!!* Any help would totally help me and save my grade.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Pam
Date: 2000-12-23 20:22
Ideas:
1. The most obvious to me -- what can you find doing an internet search?
2. Do you have an encyclopedia either in your computer or the old-fashioned hard-cover kind?
3. The good old public library can have a wealth of information as well as college libraries if you have access to them.
Have fun!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: mw
Date: 2000-12-23 20:51
Adding to what Pam said:
(This project is probably similar to others you had in the past. So, I'd venture that:)
#1 - do a survey of material available --- followed by a bit of reading.
#2 - after doing the required reading in #1, plan the project -- I always used to do this in Outline Form, this might include a media presentation & would be dependent upon the "givens" of your assigning instructor (eg. how they want it presented-requirements, etc.)
#3 - this is where you "get after it" based upon knowledge gained in #1 & the planning you performed in #2.
Much good luck & Happy Holidays.
mw
PS - This sounds like a really *FUN* project because of the wonderful music that comprises Gershwin's legacy !
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Kontragirl
Date: 2000-12-23 20:58
I found lots of great information about Gershwin on the internet when I did a project on him a while back. His life story is the easiest to find. It will tell you about who inspired him, and where he got his ideas. I don't have any website addresses right now, but I'll help you look for some if you can't find any.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-12-23 23:45
Use:
Groves
Bakers
and the
Encyclopedia of American Music
All available at most libraries. Also, ask the librarians for help - you might be surprised at how resourceful and helpful they are!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: deebee
Date: 2000-12-24 13:45
here are some miscellaneous musings:
areas where he contributed:
1. harmony
2. form (in the larger works)
3. helping formulate an American "voice" or identity
popular music -
- what was it like in the period when he started writing?...Tin Pan Alley, etc...
- what was it like at the time of his death?
- his contribution? (song forms remained much the same, but check out the development of harmony...)
- you might compare one of his earlier songs (eg. Swanee) with a later one (eg. Embraceable You)
- compare his late songs with those of other writers of the 30's (not that it's a competition, but...)
- get hold of the Ella "Gershwin Songbook"...well - I shouldn't have to say why - just get it!!
bridging the "gap" - popular and classical music -
- early: Rhapsody in Blue
- interesting story of RiB's composition, first performance - Whiteman Orch generally
- late: Porgy and Bess
- check out: sophistication of the songs individually; integration into the total structure - how was this new?
- (try to get a copy of the piano score of P&B - there are fascinating harmonies and other stuff on each of its 500-odd pages! It's a veritable Bible for the jazz-or-otherwise arranger/composer)
- also have a look at "Three Preludes"
[anybody - Q: who was the theorist with whom GG studied? Symmetrical chord progressions and all that stuff?]
consider Gershwin's legacy in relation to (say) -
- Gil Evans + Miles Davis (P&B album)
- Aaron Copland (esp. ballets)
- Leonard Bernstein (esp. West Side Story)
- film scoring 1950's and 60's - how many city hubbub scenes sound like An American in Paris!!
- pop[ular] music generally
- jazz music generally
how did his music reflect -
- the spirit of the time?
- the spirit of the USA?
============
then, when the assignment's all finished, get a video of Woody Allen's "Manhattan" and put your feet up!!
Merry Christmas (1:45 am) from Sydney, Australia!! - deebee
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2000-12-26 16:30
Amber -
EKKK is right!
Gershwin's contribution to music has been the topic of dozens of books, with room for many more. Even cutting it back to his innovations in harmony would be good for more than one Ph.D. dissertation.
Everyone's first idea is to take on a Big Topic -- Music in the 18th Century -- The History of the Clarinet -- Gershwin's Contributions to Music. And everyone has to end up with something manageable.
You need to talk to your teacher or professor right away, for two big reasons.
The first is to narrow the focus to something appropriate to a music theory term paper, and to find out whether the assignment is research (that is, reading books and articles and tying them together) or analysis (that is, explaining some theoretical aspect of the music yourself).
Also, what is expected will vary with the academic level.
If you're a graduate student in a seminar on Gershwin, you might choose an analysis topic like Gershwin's use of scale-wise bass lines with unrelated chords over them.
A college conservatory theory analysis topic could be Gershwin's use of "blue" notes to emphasize words in a several specific songs.
A high school music research term paper could be a listener's survey of two or three of his musicals, showing familiarity with them. In an honors course, you might also summarize how they were reviewed when they came out.
Second, part of your prof/teacher's job is to help you get started by pointing you to books and articles in the library. You won't get the work done for you, but any faculty member will be happy to suggest where to look first.
Let the list know what you decide to do. We won't do the work for you, either, but there are lots of people interested and able to point you toward good material.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Amber
Date: 2000-12-26 20:19
But that Is the topic of the project "what has ----- contributed to the world of music" I am not picking this out on my own. I was lucky enough to get a composer new enough where there is still copies of his work easily attainable, but old enough where there have been critiques and reviews on his work, plus I just like Gershwin!!
This is a high school projct...it isn't a formal essay, but a speech in front of the class on how our composer contributed to the world of music. I have asked him *my teacher* where to look but he just says, the libray, scores, the reason I am giving this project is for you to find out and research on your own!
Well I have found everything else I need but the techical stuff!! I can't go through the score and figure it out myself because I am just beginning music theory...we just now finished up ending chords for goodness sakes!!
All I need is to know is how I look up what I need....but I think I have gotten enough feedback that I'll find something. thanks
PS ??Blue notes??
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
