Music,++Patterns,+&+Meaning

=MUSIC, PATTERNS, & MEANING=

====It needs not be stated that music is all around us. While most people attribute music to an emotional connection; at a basic level, music is a language that we use to communicate. Like all languages it has a structure, and takes a form. While the forms may vary, they still provide a basic structure and tend to follow patterns that take different routes to completion. The essential question of this unit examines this in three different areas and asks, “How do patterns create meaning?” In following that line of thinking, in this combined unit, will be looking at patterns in music, math and English Language Arts. This unit will also pose a challenge of helping each individual answer the question of how music creates personal meaning within their lives. The final compilation project will be intertwined with learning about patterns in poetry, particularly sonnets. Students will be working on sonnet structure and composition within their ELA classes and will compose a short musical piece using a sonnet for the lyrical structure, so this page also contains information and examples to help with that project.====

====Think of this page as a musical road map of sorts. You will find resources related to musical patterns, how music creates meaning, and other varied sources. As we move through different areas of learning, resources will be added to assist you in your musical journey, wherever it may lead. Learning doesn't begin or end with a school bell. The point of learning is to help you gain the skills to become independent learners and thinkers. We live in a big world, and it is my hope that this class, and this project will help you to begin to look at the "big picture" of how different areas of life, connect. This page is just a sampling of what is out there. Actually, the entire unit is just a sampling of the resources available to you. It is my hope that you use it as a stepping stone to where your creativity may lead you.====

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__//**Text-Based Resources**//__
1. Music, Emotion, and Language: Using Music to Communicate This article talks about music as a way to communicate. Lexile Level:1190

2. Music: A Link between Cognition and Emotion This article focuses on music and emotion and how music relates to cognition. It also looks at musical emotion, which is an area that explores meaning. Lexile Level:1040

3. Emotional and Aesthetic Meaning in Music Another article that explores music and meaning. Lexile Level: 920

4. Music, Math, and Patterns Within this unit we will be looking at patterns in music, math, and English Language Arts. This article focuses on math and music with a particular focus on patterns and the overlap between the two disciplines. Lexile Level: 1230

5. Elizabethan Music This is an article that speaks about music in the Elizabethan era, when Shakespeare lived and wrote his sonnets. There is information about instruments and music during this time. Lexile Level: 1220

__//**Web-Base**//**//d// //Resources//**__
1. Pink Floyd's David Gilbert Sings Shakespeare's //Sonnet 18// media type="custom" key="25397500" This video is another example of musician David Gilmour of Pink Floyd singing a Shakespearean sonnet to music in song, utilizing modern instrumentation. An example of another way to interpret a sonnet and create a unique musical composition.

2. 'Shakespeare: The Sonnets' are Turned into Pop Songs This small collection of songs are the product of the project described in web-resource #4 called “Shakespeare: The Sonnets”, in which contemporary musicians set Shakespearean sonnets to music in a pop-style, utilizing instruments found in that period of time as well as some modern rhythmic instrumentation.

3. //August Rush// Tribute: What is the Real Meaning of Music media type="custom" key="25397434" This video is a compilation from the movie //August Rush.// It gives a take on different characters views on music and its meaning to those characters.

4. The Social Meaning of Music

media type="custom" key="25397460" //This video, entitled// The Social Meaning of Music //helps to expand on the central question of how patterns create meaning. This video expands upon that to delve into how music creates meaning in the lives of children in Paraguay, who have found a way to build instruments from recycled items, and bring music to a community, which would not have had it otherwise.//

// 5. // The Patterns of Rock Music media type="custom" key="25397476" //This video, entitled// The Patterns of Rock Music are Universal// talks about how very basic patterns of different notes within the musical scale, can be translated into most rock music.

//**__Other Resources__**//
1. MusicTheory.net This site has great information and short lessons on music theory, that are interactive and user-friendly.

2. Finale Notepad //Finale Notepad// is the musical composition software we will be using for our composition project. It's a free download and it is great software to use if you're interested in other musical composition endeavors.

3. Audacity //Audacity// is a free software program that allows you to do basic sound recording and sound editing.

4. Google Music History Timeline This is a great interactive resource done through Google research. An interactive music timeline from 1950-present day that allows one to see how the different genres of music intersect into what modern-day music looks like today.

5. Good Ear This site is great for helping to learn intervals. It uses familiar music to help your ear master music intervals.