Blog Assignment #5-Applying vocab to your favorite songs

Choose a song you like and share it via youtube link below. Discuss the following vocab terms from class and how they apply to the song you chose. This is due Friday the 22nd!

Pitch
Tempo
Dynamics
Timbre
Texture
Duration
Form

I chose Iron Maiden's "Fear of the Dark"
Here's the video!

Pitch: The vocals being low and end up in mid to high range by the chorus

Tempo: The intro is mid tempo, the second intro (:40)is even slower, and when the band kicks in at 2:00, the tempo is fast and continues to be. There is a slight tempo change in the chorus at 3:19, which they readjust at 3:35.

Dynamics start soft, get loud, and stay that way.

Timbre: Bruce Dickinson's vocals have a clean sound throughout, not gravelly at all. The timbre of the guitars is heavy and distorted.

Texture: We have vocals, 3 guitars, bass and drums.

Form: Intro, verse, chorus, bridge, chorus. Locks into ABA form by the time the verse begins.

Duration: 7:29

Blog Assignment #4-Music from Film, TV, or Video Game

Post a youtube link to a song from film, TV, or a video game and describe why you chose the song.

Tell us how it makes you feel, and why the music is a great fit for the visual aspect.

I chose a song from the Dark Knight Rises. The composer is Hans Zimmer. The music in this scene adds a whole lot of tension and urgency. There are many big dynamic swells or "crescendos," that add to the overall mood. The brass and the percussion make the piece quite explosive. The chanting of the men in the pit compliments the intense orchestral arrangement underneath. It is a pivotal scene in the movie where Bruce Wayne faces his fears and comes out victorious. The composer uses silence @ 1:16 and it is very effective when the thunderous cheers come in with the music.

Happy Posting! This is Due Wednesday 10-30-13

Blog Assignment #3-Your most memorable concert experience

Tell us about one of your favorite concert experiences using complete sentences and reference the topics we have discussed in class if applicable. If you don't have a concert example, find a live performance on youtube and share it with the class, describing what struck you about this video.

As always, if you cannot see the blog for whatever reason, you may email your response directly to me, NO LATER than Wednesday, October 16th at 11 PM.

It is your responsibility to complete this assignment on time. Be as descriptive as possible!

I'll be posting my response as well, happy posting!

-Morrow

PS, here's a helpful image I found online of some of the chords we have studied.

Extra Credit Blog-Due Wednesday by 10 pm

This is your chance to ask ANY questions you might have about where we are going next with the guitar. 

Some of you might be wondering what's coming, if not, just think of something you've seen in music that you do not understand. 

It could be a term, a style of music, a question about the instrument itself. It is your call. 

Post a question, earn 15 free points. Due Wednesday by 10 pm. 

Blog Assignment #2-THE GUITAR HERO DEBATE

Click here to open the link to the article. 

Read this short article about the musical connection between the guitar and piano and the popular video game "Guitar Hero."

Determine whether or not you agree with the author. Defend your position using complete sentences. Posts should be a minimum of 2 paragraphs. Do not forget to post your name, and to leave these posts as anonymous comments below. 

In my personal experience, for the record, I AM TERRIBLE AT GUITAR HERO! That is why I found this article interesting. I have played the guitar for 21 years, and the second I tried this game, I was a total mess. 

However, the author pleads that being a musician helped him to be a better guitar hero player. I agree that it builds coordination, which is a plus, but with regards to fretting notes, it couldn't be less accurate, as the frets are replaced with colored buttons! 

Anyways, we will discuss in class, but please post your thoughts, and read your fellow classmates posts!

If you cannot get this up on the blog, email your response by 10:00 pm Friday 9-20 for full credit. 

DON'T BE LATE!

-Morrow

Extra Credit Opportunity! Expires TOMORROW 9-6 @ 5:30 PM!

To earn 15 extra credit points, simply post a comment below or email your comment to tmorrow@gordontech.org no later than 5:30 pm tomorrow, September 6th!

Share a song, any song with diverse dynamics OR tempo changes. Use vocab words when you see fit.
Explain what happens in the song you have chosen, and please share a youtube link.

Here's mine.

The Civil Wars (surprised?)

"Devil's Backbone"

@ :43 seconds, the dynamics take a chilling dip down, as they sing the "ooh" section.

@ 1:37 seconds, the drums kick in and we see a crescendo (<) to the dynamic peak of the song.

@ 1:54 seconds through the end of the song, the vocals are hushed and haunting.

Imagine this song with no dynamic changes... Pretty lame huh?

Mr. Morrow's rock band....

Students!

Following up on our first posts, I thought I'd give you all a little more of an idea of my performance background.

I play in a band called "Ryan's hope." (You've probably noticed the big road case in the music room.) We named the band after a close friend that we sadly lost in a car accident in 2002.

We have been all over the US and Canada on tour, played the Van's Warped Tour in 2003 and 2006, played the metro and congress theater and many more Chicago venues, and have recorded and produced many albums. We are pretty much a straight forward punk band that has heavy metal "moments." I play the guitar and sing in Ryan's hope.

If you click here, you will have access to every song we have ever recorded, and you can stream or (if you enjoy it,) download it to your computer for FREE!

I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on my music. Please feel free to post comments below, and see you in class!

Good news and bad news...

The bad news: a few of you have not completed your first blog post....

The good news: because it's the first post of the year, I'm giving you until Tuesday at 11 pm to complete the assignment for half credit. 

You do NOT want a zero on such a piece of cake assignment, people! 

Please get this done no later than Tuesday at 11 pm. 

Again, if the blog for whatever reason doesn't work, email your submissions to tmorrow@gordontech.org

Guitar 1, Hard at work.....

We rock.
Quiz Friday.
Blog Assignment due Friday.
Scroll down to post.

Blog Assignment #1-Introductions and links

Guitar one students,
This will be your first graded blog assignment. Please post below in the comments section by FRIDAY, August 23rd.

There are no wrong answers, simply follow directions and receive full credit for your post. You may personalize your posts with pictures, and please always use complete sentences!

1. Tell us all a little bit about yourself.
Why did you sign up for guitar?
Who are some of your favorite guitar players?
What are your hobbies?
Tell us one funny thing about your first week of school this year.

2. Please copy and paste one youtube link of a song or riff that you would like to learn this semester.

I am VERY open to your suggestions :)

REMINDER: This IS a grade, so don't procrastinate, and have your post completed by this Friday. I'm looking forward to reading them!

Here's mine, to give you an idea of what I expect, format wise.

I have been playing music since the age of 9, when I got my first guitar. In high school, I fell in love with singing, and now I play the drums, guitar, bass, piano, and I sing constantly. I play in a punk band and I also perform as a solo guitarist for weddings and private events.

I listen to everything from Scandinavian Metal to Flamenco guitar and sacred a Capella choir music. Music brings me joy, and I always say, the more variety, the better! Right now I'm listening to both Civil Wars albums, "Wasting Light" from the Foo Fighters, and a classic rock band called Thin Lizzy from Ireland.

Some of my favorite guitarists are Brian Setzer from the Stray Cats, Chris Cheney from The Living End, and Mikael Akerfeldt from Opeth. Here's a link to Chris Cheney rocking out.

My hobbies include recording music, performing live with my band, teaching private lessons, cooking (I love to make fried chicken) and Sci-Fi movies. Right now, I am all about ALIEN.... I also love taking my dogs for a run at the park, and doing yoga. Also, my wife and I love horror movies, the cheesier, the better.

One funny thing that happened to me the first week of school is upon entering my classroom for the first time, I dropped a box filled with books and musical gear, because I was walking up the stairs too fast... I was a little too pumped...
Remember, last year, I bounced around 3 schools, had 3 different classrooms, so you can imagine how excited I am to have ONE room that I can put all of my support and energy into. 

Did I mention I'm already proud of you all?
Happy posting!

Now that we've all met.....

Hello Guitar 1 students!

Well, we have officially had at least one class together (Period A has now had 2 classes,) and I have to say, it's been a pleasure meeting you all and I look forward to getting to know you all.

How is everyone feeling about the first couple days of Guitar?

I have been very impressed with the amount of focus during class and the way some of you have been helping your neighbors, keep it up, people!

Remember, if you own a guitar, you are welcome to bring it, I can keep it locked up for you.
-Morrow

Paint it BLACK!

Mr. Bryant and I spent the morning painting the music room black, check it!

Also, thanks to Misha for helping paint!

The room is getting there, people.

See you soon....

Welcome!

Greetings guitar students! This will be our shared blogspot for the 2013-14 School year.

Please check back for updates, but in the mean time, here's a picture of my dog wearing glasses.
-Mr. Morrow