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(2007, 3000 words)
This work examines how popular music culture arose during the 1950's in the context of various social theories that have tried to explain its appearance and later diversification up until the present day. The way in which the identity of youth was closely related to particular musical styles is also analysed especially from the perspective of socio-political influences. Issues of gender, race, ethnicity and class are considered and contrasting social theories are assessed that have attempted to explain these changing musical trends. Suggestions are made as to how earlier explanations can be assimilated with newer interpretations in the light of changing social circumstances.
(2006, 1500 words)
The paper examines the genres of Latin-American popular music known as Cumbia and Salsa. Harmonic structures and instrumental performance of songs belonging to each genre are analysed and compared.
(2006, 1500 words)
The paper examines the factors that create identity in popular music discussing the concepts of ‘genre labels’, ‘group-identities’, etc. The identities of Eminem, Presley, Hendrix, Madonna, etc. are discussed highlighting the key aspects of their popularity.
(2006, 2500 words)
The paper examines the influence of the commercial folk music revival and development of the recording industry on authentic folk music. The implications of an increase in the popularity of folk music are discussed noting the differences between the two groups of folk followers, i.e. traditionalists and revivalists, the expanding of the folk music genre, the debate about the definition of folk music, etc.
(2006, 2000 words)
The paper examines the history of Flamenco describing the roots of Andalucian and Moorish folk music, the culture of Southern Spain, the development of Flamenco styles, the effects of commercialization on the Flamenco tradition, etc.
(2006, 5000 words)
The paper discusses the music of Brahms focusing on the interpretation and performance decisions of Sonata No 1 for Clarinet and Piano in F minor. BrahmsÒs compositional style and the events surrounding SonataÒs composition are reviewed; the connection between the composer and the performers is discussed highlighting the use of the clarinet and the nature of BrahmsÒs musical language.
(2006, 2700 words)
This paper examines the socio economic conditions in which Hip Hop developed-and to which it was a reaction, the theories of the Chicago school, and the idea of style as a coded response to changes affecting the working class community. Discussing the ideas of Paul Willis and Dick Hebdige, I explain how the members of Hip Hop culture challenged the dominant ideology and hegemony through style and symbolic appropriation. I use Hip Hop artists such as Public Enemy as examples and look at all the forms of hip hop culture, for example break dancing, fashion, graffiti and the music itself and how these real material and social elements are homologous with the groups concerns and experiences of subordination.
(2006, 1000 words)
This paper looks at the music genre of Hip Hop reviewing its history and exploring it as an emerging market in the UK music industry. A launch of a Hip Hop website is proposed on offering an overview of the music market trends, the target audience characteristics, the prospective advertising strategies, sources of income, competition, etc.
(2005, 3000 words)
The paper examines the role of music artists discussing social and psychological effects of their image presentation by MTV (Music Television). The techniques of filming the performance of a pop singer are described; the issues of advertising and consumer consumption are addressed.
(2006, 3500 words)
The paper discusses the influence of a contemporary pop music celebrity on society as a new social phenomenon providing a review of literature on common culture, the role of the media and new technologies, the role of celebrities in our daily lives, the decline in organised religion, Rap and hip-hop background, implications of consumerism, crime and violence, etc.
(2006, 2500 words)
The paper examines the motets Stabat Mater Dolorosa and Pater Noster/ Ave Maria by Josquin Desprez offering an overview of his composing life and analyzing his techniques of enhancing the text through musical means. Opinions of music theorists on the expressiveness and aesthetic value of the motets are reviewed.
(2005, 5000 words)
The paper reports on the life and performance of Italian Baroque trumpeter Girolamo Fantini and his influence on the seventeenth century music. The styles of trumpet playing are discussed including Ñclarino; the early Italian Baroque period is described covering fashions, music styles, etc.
(2006, 2500 words)
The paper investigates the subculture of Christian punk rock outlining its history, labels, location, demographics, psychological and behavioural patterns, fashion, symbols, etc. An overview of the Tooth & Nail Records is provided focusing on their marketing strategies.
(2005, 6000 words)
The paper examines physical, biological and aesthetic responses to music arguing whether there exist common cross-cultural reactions to the sound art. The theory of prosody is reviewed discussing universal patterns in the arrangement of sounds and rhythms. Neurological aspects of various frequency related sensations are discussed and illustrated with applications of rhythm for relaxation, trance, meditation and other purposes. The existence of synaesthetic and psychological links between sound and colour is argued.
(2005, 3000 words)
This essay looks at the relationship between music and ideas of national identity. Some key ideas and writings that help us understand the relationship are considered. Particularly those by Martin Cloonan who consider the issue in relation to England; and Benedict Anderson who looks at a wider theoretical perspective. A song by the Rap musician Eminem is looked at in terms of how it may demonstrate some of this relationship in practice. National identity overall is seen to be the creation of the minds of those who share a certain bounded community. A creation that is partly created and reinforced by the music of that community.
(2005, 11000 words)
The dissertation studies the role of music in cinema presenting a historical overview of its functions in the evolution of the filming industry. A review of the critics opinions about the importance of music in films is given; the use of music styles by various filmmakers is commented on. The author argues that types of music associate with particular emotions, which makes music a tool of subconscious influence on the audience exploited by filmmakers. Cases of music conflicting with film images are analysed.
(2004, 9000 words)
The aim of the dissertation is to examine historical trends and contemporary styles of avant garde music associated with modernism. The objective is to study current and former conceptions of production, composition, performance and audience in context with social issues (the Second World War, the Internet) and to determine whether the genre of avant garde music has exhausted its creative potential. Primary methods of research are used in analysisng the music by John Cage, Karlheinz Stockhausen, LaMonte Young, Merzbow, Autechre, Cornelius, etc. A review of literature (Nyman, Katunyan, etc.) and Internet sources is given. In conclusion the hypotheses about the future development of avant garde music are proposed. An accompanying multimedia artefact is provided to demonstrate the avant gardes emphasis on the creative process and to illustrate the proposed hypotheses.
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