[Point One.]
Assuming you're expecting a little bit more than "I learned Kalimbas (thumb pianos) are AWESOME!" I'd have to say that I learned just how insultingly technically simple my flute is. Next to the constant flipping of knobs and subtleties that change the entire of a timbre on instruments such as in the Lunga, Zheng or Qanun. I imagine that professional Zheng and Qanun players would likely consider the flute very difficult as we have the whole breathing and air thing to worry about, but in the necessary dexterity department- they have me trumped without argument.
[Point Two.]
My musical influences have been heavily influenced by my father and this class made that far more apparent. I didn't interview him, but it was because we'd have too many similar music tastes. Now that's a bit narrow, not really encompassing "our culture" as a whole. So I guess I'd have to broaden that... I always knew that the music I enjoyed the most typically had elements incorporated from around the world, it's one of the reasons why I love indie music... and Paul Simon. I don't think I realized just how much the mainstream, popular music incorporated anything other than African rhythms. Discovering sitar in a Jack's Mannequin song, shakuhachi in a Linkin Park song, and countless others made me at least respect other genres more.
[Point Three.]
Dr. Weeks' presentation specifically got me interested in the Kumari in Nepal. I spent a large portion of that afternoon researching them online, watching footage from documentaries, etcetera.
On another note, this class has gotten me interested in studying abroad- something I never actually considered an option between my picky stomach and just general fear of offending others. It also helps that it relaunched my love for Celtic Thunder and I'm investigating the possible Ireland trip next Jan Term. I also launched back into genealogy research on my family to silence my brother's debate one whether we are completely Irish or just half... Much to my excitement, back as much at least four generations, all signs point to the fact that we are thoroughly Irish, although this means that I had to admit to my brother that he was right and I was wrong- never easy.
One of the bigger things this class changed is that a dream I have for my future settled house is a room that is lined with bookshelves and is home to (at least a baby) grand piano... preferably Steinway. Now instead of just having walls of full bookshelves and a piano... there better be (again, at least) a kalimba, djembe, and probably a shakuhachi and a small didgeridoo. This is quite an addition to a longstanding dream. Guess I should hit up Asheville sometime soon.
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Assuming you're expecting a little bit more than "I learned Kalimbas (thumb pianos) are AWESOME!" I'd have to say that I learned just how insultingly technically simple my flute is. Next to the constant flipping of knobs and subtleties that change the entire of a timbre on instruments such as in the Lunga, Zheng or Qanun. I imagine that professional Zheng and Qanun players would likely consider the flute very difficult as we have the whole breathing and air thing to worry about, but in the necessary dexterity department- they have me trumped without argument.
[Point Two.]
My musical influences have been heavily influenced by my father and this class made that far more apparent. I didn't interview him, but it was because we'd have too many similar music tastes. Now that's a bit narrow, not really encompassing "our culture" as a whole. So I guess I'd have to broaden that... I always knew that the music I enjoyed the most typically had elements incorporated from around the world, it's one of the reasons why I love indie music... and Paul Simon. I don't think I realized just how much the mainstream, popular music incorporated anything other than African rhythms. Discovering sitar in a Jack's Mannequin song, shakuhachi in a Linkin Park song, and countless others made me at least respect other genres more.
[Point Three.]
Dr. Weeks' presentation specifically got me interested in the Kumari in Nepal. I spent a large portion of that afternoon researching them online, watching footage from documentaries, etcetera.
On another note, this class has gotten me interested in studying abroad- something I never actually considered an option between my picky stomach and just general fear of offending others. It also helps that it relaunched my love for Celtic Thunder and I'm investigating the possible Ireland trip next Jan Term. I also launched back into genealogy research on my family to silence my brother's debate one whether we are completely Irish or just half... Much to my excitement, back as much at least four generations, all signs point to the fact that we are thoroughly Irish, although this means that I had to admit to my brother that he was right and I was wrong- never easy.
One of the bigger things this class changed is that a dream I have for my future settled house is a room that is lined with bookshelves and is home to (at least a baby) grand piano... preferably Steinway. Now instead of just having walls of full bookshelves and a piano... there better be (again, at least) a kalimba, djembe, and probably a shakuhachi and a small didgeridoo. This is quite an addition to a longstanding dream. Guess I should hit up Asheville sometime soon.
To wrap things up completely, why not a little bit more of those attractive Irish men? ...or perhaps just Keith Harkin since this is now the 10th most played song on my iTunes.
Adios, Au Revior, Auf Wiedersehen.
