Explorations in Music

  The Indigenous people of Australia and Torres Strait Islands, often referred to as Aboriginals, have their own distinct music that is very unique in its sound. For Indigenous Australians, music plays a vital role in both their cultural and social lives, often being crucial to many ceremonies and activities. While music is connected to almost every aspect of Aboriginal Australians' lives, it is found most important and sacred in wedding, birth, and funeral ceremonies. While this music has been played for thousands of years by Australian Aboriginals, being passed down from generation to generation, European colonization and the forced repression of Indigenous people’s culture caused a large amount of musical knowledge to be lost. Because of this, many Indigenous communities are trying to rebuild and relearn the culture that has been lost to them. In order to try and protect themselves, many Indigenous communities have decided not to share their customs with Western Society. This me...

One very important evolution in music was the transition from harpsichords to pianos . The h arpsichord reigned supreme in the early 17 th and 18 th centuries during the Baroque Era, drawing in its audiences with its enthusiastic and happy sound. However, as music evolved, so did the need for an instrument that could better fulfill the new needs of the musicians and audiences who listened to them. This video shows a man playing the harpsichord, the precursor to the piano.  The harpsichord had a very similar layout to the piano , with the keys and strings that we all know, however it produced noise a different way . It worked through a design of plucking the strings attached to the keys that were being pressed by the musician. This caused the harpsichord to produce a unique sound with bright and crisp notes. The harpsichord was very popular, even being preferred by great composers like Bach and Handel , however it had a number of drawbacks. The way that this instrument wa...

  “Georgia on My Mind” was written by Hoagy Carmichael in 1930 and covered and released by Ray Charles on August 30,1960, taking the song to new heights. This song became one of Ray Charles most popular songs and a classic in the United States, even becoming Georgia's official state song.     The lyrics of “Georgia on My Mind” express a feeling of longing and nostalgia for the state of Georgia. Through the meaningful lyrics Ray Charles sings, listeners can sense his treasured memories associated with the state. The singer repeats lyrics like “Georgia, Georgia” throughout the song making you feel as if Georgia is an important and meaningful part of his identity. The lyrics are remarkably simple yet sound so sincere that they make the audience long for their homes.      “Georgia on My Mind” is defined by its subtle swing that sets the rhythm and causes a calm and relaxing environment. This style allows Ray Charles to express himself through the rhythm whe...