music assignment

Order Description History of the Blues (MUS 270) — Fall 2015 Music Description and Reading Response Assignment Assignment: This assignment consists of two related parts: 1) a music description and comparison, and 2) a reading summary and response. Both are described below. Due Date and Submission: Both parts of the assignment must be submitted to Blackboard together (one file) by 5:00 pm on Sunday, Nov. 1. The assignment should be uploaded as a single Word or pdf file (not Pages) to the appropriate assignment posted in the “Assignments” tab of Canvas. Do not cut and paste text of your submission into Canvas. Grading: A letter grade will be assigned, guided generally by point values determined by an on-line grading rubric with various categories of performance. The grading rubric will be available for you to review. (The grader may choose to add or subtract points from the rubric total if it does not accurately reflect the perceived effort of the submission.) You will receive a general written remark on your submission in the comments section of the rubric. Part I: Music Description and Comparison: Write a 1- to 2-page, detailed description and comparison of one of the pair of songs listed below. Your description and comparison should be as detailed as possible, but the details should be organized to reflect their relevance to understanding the historical importance of the examples. Song Pairs (choose one): 1. Bessie Smith’s “St. Louis Blues” and Gus Cannon’s “Jonestown Blues” 2. Jimmie Rodgers’ “Blue Yodel No. 1 (T is for Texas)” and Blind Lemon Jefferson’s “Black Snake Moan” 3. Blind Willie Johnson’s “Nobody’s Fault But Mine” and Lonnie Johnson’s “Crowing Rooster” The details you observe should be guided by the following questions: 1. What instruments are used in the examples and how are they played? 2. What are the qualities of the singer’s voices and how are they used in conjunction with the lyrics? 3. What is notable about the lyrics to the songs, and are there connections between the lyrics and the music? 4. Do the songs’ dynamics and textures change throughout the songs? 5. How would you describe the songs’ tempos and rhythmic grooves? Are they important elements to the songs? 6. Are there instrumental solos in the songs? What qualities are demonstrated during those instrumental solos and how do they fit into the songs as a whole? If there are no solos, does that seem to be an important part of the songs’ styles? Page