Daily Reflection - January 24th, 2012

THEORY CLASS

I listened to introductory discussion about Big Band Era and Swing. However, before I followed the discussion, Mr. Herry distributed handouts to the students so that the students would be able to read it and have some information about Swing. After I read the handout, I had to face the student on my left and tell her what information I received from the handout, and she did the same to me. During the discussion, Mr. Herry helped us to summarize some of the information from the handout, which is:

1. Big Band Era started in 1930s.
2. Notable famous musicians in the era were Woody Herman and Benny Goodman.
3. Swing is a typical dance music.
4. Benny Goodman is known as "King of Swing"
5. Benny Goodman was born from a poor Russian - Jewish family.
6. He promoted saxophone as instrument for Jazz.

Then, I and my classmates watched a video about Swing Jazz. The video showed some musicians who are famous for their involvement in developing Swing Jazz. The video showed the audio sample of Swing Jazz music as well. Before I proceeded to music class, Mr. Herry taught us about couple kinds of beats and notes but I have no idea what those beats & notes for. I should ask him on the next meeting. Moreover, I should reread the handout given during the class and do research about Swing Jazz since I didn't read the handout well during the class.

INSTRUMENT CLASS

I didn't do anything because Mr. Hary was absent.

Daily Reflection - January 18th, 2012

THEORY CLASS

We started the class by watching a short video about Jazz. I didn't pay much attention on the video but I enjoyed the melody played. Then, Mr. Herry gave us chance to finish the homework given yesterday, although some of us have done it beforehand. Then, we checked the answers together. I had one wrong answer only. Then, Mr. Herry showed us another Jazz video.

INSTRUMENT CLASS

Each instrument class has its representative to perform "When the Saints' Go Marchin' In'. I didn't become the representative for my instrument class because I wasn't ready. Next time if I'm ready with the song I will offer myself to become the representative. Then, all instrument teachers gathered to perform Autumn Leaves in front of the class. It was truly amazing and I really enjoyed the performance. The improvisation was great!

Question: How did you find the beginning of Jazz and how was it delivered by your teacher(s)?

I found that the beginning of Jazz can't be guessed if people just look at its characteristic. I do think that Jazz music has calm melody, but who can guess that Jazz was born between the pain of lost love and injustice during the slavery in America?

I like how my teacher delivered the Jazz topic. He plays Jazz melodies in every sessions so that the students will have better understanding in Jazz. Besides, the handouts given are helpful and shorten the time (rather than doing research by our own which would spend more time). I also think that the class is easy to catch-up since the instrument class starts with playing a simple dixieland song. The class would be more fun if I could play my favorite Jazz musicians such as Shakatak and Smoma.

Daily Reflection - January 17th, 2012

Hey, first of all let me tell you something - I think this is the first time I post blog daily reflection entry on the same day as the day the class held on. I think I should add another 2012 resolution that I will post my music reflection blog entry every night after I attend music class, plus post 2 videos every week and not just posting 16 videos at a night before the end of the term. Ehm, so let's start with...

THEORY CLASS
We started the class by the new year greeting by Mr. Herry and we listened to some of our classmates telling their stories about their holiday. I wasn't even sure that it was related to music but then Mr. Herry just made it such a way so that it can be related to music... After the discussion, we each received a post it paper to write the things we each know about Jazz. Actually I've known since the beginning that the topic for this term is Jazz, since on holiday I saw Mr. Herry posted some website URLs regarding on Jazz on his Facebook page. These are the pages I found on his page:
1. http://www.apassion4jazz.net
2. http://www.piano-play-it.com/jazz-chord-progressions.html
I haven't opened any of them but I will open in on the weekend.
After we filled on the post it, we are distributed into groups so that we could share the things we know about Jazz to our group mates (and so does in reverse), then summarize those information so that it can be presented to the class. Then, still in groups, we had to list the things we would like to know about Jazz. My group mates were Jesslyn, Sarah, Dzaka, and Jordi. Well, I didn't think that I contributed a lot while working together but at least I gave an idea to list "Jazz chord progression" for the things we would like to know about Jazz. I presented my group's summary to the class as well. But then I feel that I should contribute more on the next group works.
Nonetheless, by distributed to groups I receive some information from my group mates - that Jazz firstly comes from United States, precisely African - American people, that Norah Jones is also a Jazz musician.
After we're done with the group work, Mr. Herry gave us some handouts to read regarding on Jazz. We weren't asked to read but to play "When the Saints Go Marchin' In". I've known this song since I was in kindergarten since I used to have a keyboard back then and one of the songs provided in the keyboard is "When the Saints Go Marchin' In". We also received homework to do tonight so that it can be brought to school tomorrow but I don't think I can do it tonight - there are more works waiting to be done even before this homework is given.

INSTRUMENT CLASS
We started the class by playing C scale in different beats - a good start since it has been a long time since the last time I touched my flute. Nonetheless, I think that I still play the flute as well as before. Then, we practiced playing "When the Saints Go Marchin' In". Until the end of the session I wasn't still able to play it well so I have to practice more.