Songs about Life

Listen to the following songs:
a) "Circle of Life" from Lion King (Music by Elton John, Lyrics by Tim Rice)
b) "A Day in the Life" by Beatles
c) "It's my Life" by Bon Jovi
d) "Welcome to my Life" by Simple Plan

Briefly describe what is interesting about each song. Comment on the rhythm, melody and timbre.

Dick Lee

Dick Lee is a Singaporean pop singer, song-writer and playwright. Listen to some of his works. Describe what is interesting about his works.

a) Rasa Sayang
b) Fried Rice Paradise

Violin

Listen to the violin played in Western music as well as in Indian music. Can the violin be considered an Indian music instrument since it is used in Indian music performances? Share your thoughts.

Western
a) Menuhin - Paganini
b) Sarah Chang - Mendelssohn Violin Concerto

Indian
a) Raginder Singh - Raag Bhimpa
b) N Rajam

Textures

Textures add variety to music expression.

Describe the textures of the following excerpts and the effects they create.

Note: Textures can be thick or thin. Textures can be monophonic (1 single melodic line), homophonic (1 melody line with accompaniment), or polyphonic (several melodic lines)

a) "You are the new day" by King Singers
b) "Wake me up when September Ends" by Green Day
c) Canon in D by Pachelbel
d) Cello Suite No. 1 by JS Bach
e) Toccata & Fugue performed by Vanessa Mae
f) "My Heart will Go On" sung by Celine Dion
g) "You are the Music in Me" from High School Musical
h) "Memory" from Cats

Instrumental Appreciation

Share your instrument!
a) Pick an instrument of your choice
b) State whether it is a string/wind/percussion instrument
c) Briefly describe the instrument in 3 lines
d) Search for a sound/video clip that features this instrument.
e) State the link to the sound/video clip

Examples of instruments:
a) string - violin, cello, bass, guitar, harp, banjo, sitar
b) wind - saxophone, oboe, clarinet, flute, suona, shakuhachi
c) percussion - drums, castanets, xylophone, tabla, rebana, mbira

Somewhere Over The Rainbow

"Somewhere Over The Rainbow" came from the movie "Wizard of Oz" (1939). It was sung by Judy Garland and the song became her signature tune. Since then, many versions of this song were produced.

Compare the original version with the other versions. Comment on the differences.
a) Judy Garland - Wizard of Oz
b) Israel Kamakawiwo Ole's version
c) Eva Cassidy
d) Connie Talbot in Britain's Got Talent Grand Final

Here are the opening lines:
Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
There's a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

The well-known tune "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" has captured the imagination of musicians.

Here are some versions. Comment on these versions:

a) Mozart's "Ah! vous dirai je maman"
b) Video
c) Improvised guitar

Danny Boy

"Danny Boy" is a song which uses the Irish tune of "Londonderry Air".

Compare the following versions and describe the differences:
a) King Singers
b) Andy Williams
c) Cher
d) George Benson (Solo Guitar)

Here are the opening lines:
Oh Danny Boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountainside.
The summer's gone, and all the flowers are dying.
'Tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide.
But come ye back when summer's in the meadow
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow,
For I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow.
Oh Danny Boy, oh Danny Boy, I love you so.

Scarborough Fair

"Scarborough Fair" is a traditional English Ballad which was claimed to be dated in the 17th century. The song was adapted and modified several times.

Here are a few popular versions. Compare the differences:
a) Simon and Garfunkel
b) Sarah Brightman
c) Hayley Westenra

Here are the opening lines:
Are you goin to scarborough fair?
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Remember me to one who lives there,
She once was a true love of mine

Summertime

"Summertime" is an aria from George Gershwin's opera Porgy and Bess which was composed in 1935. It is often sung in a spiritual style and could be sung in various languages.

Listen to these versions and compare the differences:
a) Renee Fleming (operatic style)
b) Ella Fitzgerald (jazz style, 1968)
c) Jill Scott & George Benson
d) Fantasia Barrino (American Idol 3)

Here are the opening lines:
Summertime,
And the livin' is easy
Fish are jumpin'
And the cotton is high

Your daddy's rich
And your mamma's good lookin'
So hush little baby
Don't you cry

Autumn Leaves

"Autumn Leaves" is originally a French song written in 1945 (Music by Joseph Kosman and text by Jacques Prevert). It has become a pop and jazz standard.

Listen to these versions of this song. Comment on the differences.
a) Nat "King" Cole
b) Eva Cassidy
c) Jazz piano by Keith Jarret

Here are the lyrics (written in 1949 by American songwriter Johnny Mercer)
The falling leaves drift by the window
The autumn leaves of red and gold
I see your lips, the summer kisses
The sun-burned hands I used to hold

Since you went away the days grow long
And soon I’ll hear old winters song
But I miss you most of all my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall