Final Blog

I can’t believe that this morning was our last meeting! I really enjoyed this class a lot.

One thing that intrigued me in general is how each country developed its own kind of scale/mode and rhythm. An example is the “raga” and the “tala” of India. Another is the “maqam” and “iqa’at” of the Arab countries, and many more. It made me wonder what factors contributed to the making of these musical concepts. And, What the reasons are behind the countries’ differences and similarities in terms of musical characteristics and style.

I was also fascinated on how creative our ancestors were. Given the kind of technology and the natural resources around them, they were able to make such interesting instruments that are still used and studied up to now. Indeed it stood the test of time!

With our encounters on different cultures, I marvel on how important the role of music is in their society and religion/spiritualism. In context, I want to believe that music is the key element that keeps their culture alive.

Learning other cultures made me appreciate the Philippine culture more. When I was taking classes on Philippine indigenous music, I didn’t value it as much as I value it now. Before, I thought that because of the 300 years of Spanish colonization and invasions from other countries, the Philippines lost its identity. But I was wrong! The Philippines never lost its identity. It’s embedded in the very blood of our veins. True, we were influenced by different ways of life. But so were others. I don’t believe in such a thing as “pure culture”. Somehow, somewhat, each culture is influenced by another culture. But what makes the difference is how one adopts the aspect as its own.

This course truly inspired me to know more about the Philippine culture specifically its music. Actually, I’m planning to go back to the Philippines after two years. I would love to do some research (book and field research). Then I’m going to show everyone whatever I may find. Please wish me luck on that!

Cool Stuff no. 3

I went to Japan as a exchange student for a month. My host mom dressed me up in a kimono. It was the coolest thing I've ever experienced. I actually went grocery shopping in it!

Do I look like a Japanese? :)

Here is a picture of

me and Daibutsu (Buddha)...

We went to a zoo and here is a cross breed between a giraffe and a zebra. Fun fact is that they actually reproduce! I saw a baby when we were there.

Whooops! Sorry, much to my dismay, Sarah found out that its not a cross breed. Sad :( That would have been very cool though.

So all this time(2 years), I thought it was a cross breed! huhuhu... I'm really sad. I'm like a kid who suddenly found out that Santa Claus isn't real. :(

I've always been fascinated by Geishas.

Here is a Meihina dance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNcweWIm4J8&feature=related

Don't you ever wonder how a Geisha does her make-up? Those who wanna try it, here's a link:(Warning: 12 mins. long)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvyskAURwCs

I'm gonna try this someday.

Philippines-Music and Society

In a third world country like my country-The Philippines, poverty is the cancer that slowly and painfully kills the society.

Due to poor governance and corrupt government officials, our country faces several problems. One is the scarcity of jobs. Another is the increasing number of homeless people. Along with that is the increasing population. Then we have high hunger rates, high mortality rates and high crime rates. People engage in prostitution. The lack of funding results to poor public utilities such as hospitals, schools, transportation, waste management, etc. Pollution is also a fast arising difficulty. And, people are leaving the country in search for better opportunities. “Brain Drain”

These hardships that I told you reflect on the music created by the people seeing it, feeling it or experiencing it. Some of the music’s purpose is to serve as an outlet for emotions and create a feeling of catharsis to the listeners, to instill hope and positive notion that this country might still have a chance to survive, to bring it to the attention of the government, to promote awareness and change, to touch the hearts of kind people who are able to help, etc.

Here are some examples of the songs:

This song is addressing issues about the environment

Here’s a link if you want to listen to it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mrolp2E0i9A

I'll just post the english translation of the song but if you want to read the original/filipino lyrics, here's the link: http://www.moron.nl/lyrics/asin/masdan-mo-ang-lyrics.html


“Masdan Mo and Kapaligiran” by Asin


English translation: The words are not rhyming anymore though

“Look at the Environment”

Dont you notice anything about your environment
The air is so polluted, and so our rivers.

Progress is not a bad thing
And that we've come so far
But look at our ocean
They had blue color,
But now its black

All the waste that we spread in the air
We shouldn't let it reach our heaven
So when we're gone,
We could still taste fresh clean air in heaven

I have only just one wish
I hope it rains when I die
I'll bring my guitar
So we all could just sing up in the clouds

All the children being born right now
Will they still breath fresh air?
Will they still have trees to climb up?
Will they still have rivers to swim in?

Why dont we stop and think
With whats happening with our environment
There's no wrong in development
As long as we dont destroy our nature

The day will come when all the free birds
Won't have any branches to land on
Look at our trees which use to be so strong before
They are now dying because of our carelessness

All the things that we have on this earth
Are gifts that we've recieved from God before we've even been born
We should take care of it and don't destroy it
Because we'll all just disappear if He decide to take it away from us





Here’s an example of a song addressing poverty.

This song is really pretty. It is sung by a pitiable child who in spite of his situation manages to see the world positively. Here’s a link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoTXEHR47Oo

Its lyrics are really in English.

“Paraiso” by Smokey Mountain. Translates as “Paradise”


Return to a land called paraiso
A place where a dying river ends
No birds dare fly over paraiso
No space allows them to endure
The smoke that screens the air
The grass that's never there

And if I could see a single bird
What a joy!
I try to write some words and create
A simple song to be heard by the rest of the world

I live in a land called paraiso
In a house made of cardboard floors and walls
I learned to be free in paraiso
Free to claim anything
I see Matching rags for my clothes
Plastic bags for the colds

And if empty cans were all I have
What a joy!
I never fight to take someone else's coins
And live with fear like the rest of the boys

Chorus:
Paraiso, help me make a stand
Paraiso, take me by the hand
Paraiso, make the world understand
That if I could see a single bird
What a joy!

This tired and hungry land could expect
Some truth and hope and respect
From the rest of the world




Here is another one pointing some things about the government and the society:

Link to the music video: This is a cool song by the way and it's just recent. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SB5jUZrnbpg&feature=related

Again, I just posted the English translation of the lyrics. If you want to read the Filipino lyrics, here's the link: http://www.soulcast.com/post/show/60897/English-Translation:-Tatsulok

"Tatsulok by Bamboo"

English Translation:

PYRAMID
(Bamboo)
(Original by Buklod)

Son, hurry, hurry up and run
Evade the bombs that are pointed at your head
Son now jump, fall down flat if necessary
Or else you may be hit by stray bullets


Son, listen up, don't stay out late at night
You might be mistaken for someone else and end up lifeless on the roadside
Son, do you know the beginning
Of all this strife that never seems to end?

[refrain]
Not red and yellow are the real opposing sides
Color and symbol are not the real reasons
Just as long as there are many who are being dragged down by poverty
And justice is just for the wealthy

[chorus]
As long as there's a pyramid and they are at the top
This conflict will never ever end
And what was once a little farm now is a graveyard
Son, do something, reverse this pyramid
Those who are poor like you, put them on the top

[repeat refrain and chorus]
[repeat refrain and chorus]
[repeat chorus]

This conflict will never ever end...



Here are some links of more songs you might want to listen to:

This is a patriotic song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQ94mqRkCVc

Read the translation here:
http://www.soulcast.com/post/show/60901/English-Translation:-Noypi

Cool Stuff no. 2

I was searching the internet for middle eastern dance when I came across this video of a pregnant belly dancer. I remeber in Sarah's cool stuff blog no. 1, the African women were carrying their children on their backs while dancing. Here, the baby is actually in the womb, belly dancing with his/her mother!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGSTqvputf8

Here is a video teaching how to belly dance while pregnant. They say that this exercise actually helps in relieving abdominal pains caused by pregnancy. And, in traditional cultures, some belly dancing steps help move the baby into the best position.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njW7mPNGoBM&feature=related





Listen to this oud performer. The tambourine plays the meter first. Like Keith said, they have a different meter than western classical music. Also, I like these two guys. They have a lot of nice videos at youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ormCQIWVzNk&feature=related





Some people in class were wondering what a ney sounds like. Watch this video to find out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guneW_OFRJ4&feature=related

-sorry the video quality is not that good.
but you could still recognize the tabla, rabob, sitar, ney, qanun, oud, bandir, etc.


ENJOY!

Music and Rites

I hadn’t really experienced much rites of passage in my life. First of all we don’t celebrate birthdays. Second, I haven’t even been baptized yet. Third, I boycotted my elementary graduation because of some reason that I already forgot. Fourth, in my high school, we didn’t have a prom. Fifth, I am not yet 18 and I won’t go back to the Philippines when I turn 18 so I won’t have a debutante ball,...I think.

I take that back. I did experience quite a handful of rites.

I remember, I have been to a wedding before. I’ve also been to a few funeral services including one of my grandfather’s. I was actually able to attend my kindergarten graduation and my high school graduation. I had my fair share of academic rites too. But it’s nothing like that of hazing – just some school tradition that we do at certain year levels. Come to think of it, we actually did some cool and unique stuff. And, I was able to witness some rites of worship like attending town fiestas (which wasn’t permitted in the religion I practiced at that time by the way), watching processions during holy week, and I actually did some paper before about how people in our town recite Pasyon during holy week. (Yes, it’s Spanish. We have a lot of Spanish influence in our culture. They colonized us for more than 300 years!)

At the wedding I attended, the music was live. I was one of the performers. I accompanied some of the soloists and I also sang as a member of the choir. There was a processional wherein the bride walked along the isle. Guess what we played for the processional – Cannon in D by Pachelbel! I remember that one of the violinists got lost. The other violinist somehow managed to be back on track… or he might have improvised that time. And, I didn’t know where they jumped so I basically played I V vi iii IV I IV V all throughout until I found the measure they were in, or… I guessed they were in? Anyway, we survived and I don’t think the bride or the groom noticed. Later at the reception, we also played while they were eating. It took longer than we anticipated and we ran out of practiced music. Our music educator insisted that I play my recital pieces. Most of them weren’t for such an event and the other one was even a contemporary piece. I hope I didn’t give them indigestion.

At my grandfather’s funeral, the sound that was basically heard was the crying of the family members, relatives, friends and members of the community. Filipinos have strong family and community ties. So whenever someone dies, almost the whole town attends to the funeral service and laments with the family. We kept him in a casket for 9 days. We call that “Pasiyam” translated as “9 days of mass”. Neighbors and friends visited as they bade their last goodbyes to my grandfather. Everyone was up all night and all day. Well, not really everyone-we had shifts on when to sleep and when to stay awake. The main point is someone had to be awake to attend to the guests who might pay a visit at any hour. On the last night, we had a band playing some popular Filipino songs like, “Hindi Kita Malilimutan”- which translates “I Won’t Forget You”, “Paalam na Aking Mahal”-which translates “Goodbye My Love”. Listening to the music added more to the grief and I cried harder that night because of the lyrics and the music itself. Up to now, after 5 years, I would still cry whenever I hear the songs. Or whenever I sing those songs in my head. Like now for example. By the way that grandfather was the one who introduced me to the songs of Elvis Presley, The Beatles and Kenny Rogers. On the day of his burial, I played my recording of his favorite piece that I usually played on the piano for him. (I actually made that tape for him to hear me play before he dies but it didn’t reach him on time.) Upon hearing the music, everyone was emotional. Finally it was time to lead him to his grave. There was a huge procession from the house to the cementery. A marching band lead the group playing the songs they did the night before. The car with the casket followed while a crowd formed at the car's tail. Everyone was crying, intensified by the music being played,... I believe. We reached the cementery after the long slow walk. There he was burried peacefully beside his parents. A small gathering at the house followed.

The graduation ceremonies I attended all played "Pomp and Circumstance". I believe its purpose was to keep everyone in beat while walking so as to avoid tripping on each other's togas/gowns. My High School Graduation was unique though. We marched to a piece composed by our National Artsist, Francisco Buencamino.

In my high school, we had a lot of traditions that we followed per year level. During my freshman year, we had an "Alpha and Omega Ceremony". Basically, the previous batch that recently graduated would be seated on stage. Then a small program would be held to welcome the freshmen. A march would be played and the omegas (the graduates) would walk down the stage, each person ringing the gong. The Freshmen (Alphas) in turn would march up the stage and ring the gong as each and everyone pass by it. This tradition has something to do with tranferring the rights/slots from the omega to the alpha. Next is the Freshmen Night wherein each artfield has to present/execute the talents of the new students. The result is a night full of music, dance and art. Music here is used in all artfields including creative writing and visual arts. Next is the "Mutya't Lakan". It's a freshmen beauty pageant wherein all the costumes should be made from recycled and student-made materials. It encourages everyone to be creative and resourceful. Ofcourse, the pageant wouldn't be alive without music. Our school is located on top of the mountain and Maria Makiling is a spirit that protects the mountain, the people and the animals from bad spirits. New students have to intoduce themselves and gain Maria's favor by giving an offering to her. No music accompanies this event though. I never knew why. This is just my first year. I might fill up the whole page if I continue until my fourth year.

Now let's move to town fiestas. During this time of the year, the town celebrates its patron saint's feast day. Our patron saint is San Isidro de Labrador. We celebrate it every May 15. Our community honors it with a parade wherein marching bands from every group participate. Then there is a program afterwards with dances, games and other social activites. The music of the bands lift everyones spirit and promotes a celebrating aura.

The last rite that I would discuss is the Holy Week. During this time, women would group and go to designated houses. There they would chant "Pasyon". It tells of the story of the hardships of Jesus Christ as he suffered in the hands of the Roman soldiers on his way to the Calvary where He will be nailed on the cross to die a slow death. The music serves as a way to grieve Jesus' death and urges the people to repent of their sins and have a clean life.

You can read this site to learn more about pasyon:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasyon

Hope you enjoyed reading some stuff about my country. I'm sorry that it's too long.

Music and Religion

Both my parents were Jehovah’s Witnesses. So naturally, my brother and I grew up in that religion. Singing hymns was an essential part of the service. One time, only a few people knew how to sing a particular hymn and the sound was soft. The elder (that’s what we call our pastor) commented that we should sing hymns with all our hearts because that was one way of praising God. He told us that it doesn’t matter if we sing horribly or if we sing out of tune. As long as we mean the words and sing with exultation, God would love listening to it.

In high school, I experienced different kinds of cultures, religions and beliefs. Some of my friends were Roman Catholics, some were Protestants, some were Muslims, some were Buddhist, some practiced Hinduism and some were even Atheists. Being exposed to them, I began to question man and religion. Why is everyone claiming to have the right religion? Is there really a true religion? If a religion's purpose is to bring peace, then why is it that most religions are the causes of war? Then, eventually I began to question the existence of God. (I hope none of you respond badly to this. Read whole blog before you react.) I deteriorated spiritually.

Coming to Converse was the biggest break I’ve ever had. Here I experienced attending a non-denominational church for the first time. It was very different from the church I grew up in. Mainly because of the music played during service. In my previous church, the singing was a bit conservative. But this church had a rock band in front! The first 30 mins. or so of the service is dedicated to soulfully worship God through music. Everyone stands, sings, dances, jumps and shouts praises to God. It was a liberated form of worshipping! At first, I was a bit shy to move and sing, but eventually I began participating more every service. Soon, I was clapping, and moving to the beat.

It was here that I found God again. I believed that through music and through the atmosphere the community was exerting, I was deeply moved. I believe that that was God’s music softening my heart. He was working his ways through music. I immediately repented and received him. Now, I’ve never felt this happy and complete. It seemed like he answered all the questions I’ve had before. All are clear now. He made me realize that religion is just a way for people with the same beliefs to gather and learn more about God. It doesn’t really matter what religion I'm in. In the end, what matters most is my personal relationship with Him. And, what better way to develop that relationship than through the gift of sound He Himself has given me. Since that day I offered myself to him. I offered myself as an instrument. That he may use me in spreading the Good Word through His music. Now every time I play the piano and play music, I'm rejoicing for I know that he's working through me. May all praises be to Him for it's His music. I am but a feeble instrument played by He, "The Greatest Virtuoso". Imperfect as I am, I know that through me, He will be able to affect other's lives significantly in the same way that He affected mine.

Every Sunday, I'm not embarrased anymore to sing to the top of my lungs praising Him. For he has been so good to me. And, He has blessed me far more than I deserve. For that, I am deeply humiliated but at the same time truly grateful. I am a prodigal child who is now back at my Father's embrace never wanting to wander far from Him ever again.

Cool Stuff

When we were discussing about the Native Americans, the one that struck me most was the picture of the sand paintings. They seemed like mandalas to me. I knew that mandalas are usually associated with Buddhism and Hinduism. So I was astonished to see an American Indian sand painting that looks like a mandala.

Here is a definition of “Mandala” from this website: (I also recommend you to visit this site and read it. It says some interesting things about mandala patterns.)

http://www.mandalaproject.org/What/Index.html

“The word "mandala" is from the classical Indian language of Sanskrit. Loosely translated to mean "circle," a mandala is far more than a simple shape. It represents wholeness, and can be seen as a model for the organizational structure of life itself--a cosmic diagram that reminds us of our relation to the infinite, the world that extends both beyond and within our bodies and minds.

Describing both material and non-material realities, the mandala appears in all aspects of life: the celestial circles we call earth, sun, and moon, as well as conceptual circles of friends, family, and community. ”

I’ve read the website and I actually found out that the ones I saw in class were Navajo mandalas.

Here are some pictures of a mandalas by Buddhist monks:

Here are examples of Navajo mandalas:

Aren't they somewhat similar? And don't they share the same concepts about life?

Next Item: Native American Music with Native American pictures.

Here’s the web address: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6Y4kpZ7xQk&feature=related

If you look at the right corner, on the uploader, click more info and you’ll see the lyrics and the translation.


Next Item: Thumb Piano (African Instrument)

Here's a picture:

Here's the web address of a video of a person playing it:

It's Pachelbel's Canon played on a kalimba.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPeDx5CW1aQ&feature=related

ENJOY!