THE LAST STEP

There are several things I would like to say in this last submission like the knowledge learned through these sixteen weeks. This was a great experience that if is the case, I might take it again. I can say a lot of things about the course, the classmates, and the homework and so on. To start, I would say that I have learned and done things that I did not think I would be able to do. Not at the beginning of the class. Nowadays, I can say now that I know a little bit more about singers and musical styles that I did not know before. It is most easy for me now to understand the musical tastes of people no matter the age and at the same time, understand why some singer or style is the preferred of the young adults. At the beginning I was a little scared because it was the first time for me to take an online course and because of I thought it might overwhelm me, however, while the days were passing by, with the practice acquired with homework, the readings and writings, and with the comments of the classmates and the peer review activities, I started to feel more confident. Sometimes I was feeling really tired because it was not the only course in this semester that I was enrolled in, and the house tasks, my son’s swimming practices, and all the things related with the house, collaborated to have less time that the one I would like to dedicate to the course. In fact, I used to write my blog, the Music and Culture and They Say I Say homework at the Marie Kerr Pool while my son was practicing at Frogs Aquatic Swimming Team. I remember being reading and answering the questions asked in those books and writing a draft of the essays. However, while the days were passing by, I accommodated my times and was easier for me to achieve the goals in the due dates of each assignment. Perhaps the essays were the hardest part of the course. Actually, I am still in a struggle with the last one, it is kind of hard in trying to expose the argument, but despite all my concerns and doubts, I am pretty sure that what I am doing now it is much better than what I used to do.

Overall, I can say that I have learned a lot of things in this class. I learned how to analyze a behavior through music and their exponents. This was a different class for me but I think it was one of the best classes I have ever taken. I know the things learned will help me in my next courses since I already know how to use some tools for writing and to describe and expose an idea. I am really grateful to the teacher because she spent some value time with us and because her instructions were really helpful. I would like to thank also to the classmates that with their comments helped me to analyze an exposed situation or to agree with any idea I proposed.

FROM THE BEGINNING

It has been really exciting to have taken this course online. It is the first time and honestly I had no idea how it was going to be. You know, I think the new things always scare a little. After these fourteen weeks I can say it has been a great experience, full of new challenges and new things. There is a quote that I have always heard: the practice makes the master and I am totally agree that is true. Even though I know I have grammar mistakes but I think there is a big difference between my first essay and the last one. I feel more confident when I start writing. I liked “They Say I Say” lessons, especially those in which the templates show the different ways how to write something. At the beginning I felt overwhelmed but with the passing of days, I realized that I was having more practice in writing and reading and the time it took me to read an essay each time was shortened due to the practice.

When I read the blogs of other classmates I have the same feeling, I can see that everyone has grown a lot and every time the topics are more developed. At starting the blog I did not have any previous experience and the beginning of this seemed to me very difficult to concentrate and focus on the issue. I was not sure if I was doing well but I gradually noticed that I was grabbing more experience and confidence. Definitely, when you finish this course I'm staying with a nice experience, with the satisfaction of having participated in the file exchange in supporting even a little bit with my comments in the trials of my classmates.

I should also say that the teacher is a person who had the pleasure to know of and think is a nice person with a willingness to help their students.

 I also like to read and respond to other classmates blogs. It was very interesting to know the different points of view, experiences and something of the life of my classmates. Although we are virtual peers, these tasks allowed us perhaps to know more than you can know in a face to face classes

Group work was also very helpful to communicate and make decisions. It was very nice to receive comments and advice of all the companions of the Topaz group. It was a virtual interaction in which I could practice my writing and reading and I know that I have learned a lot. These practices of writing and reading gave me even some keys to have patience. Believe me at the beginning it was really hard for me, even more it is not my first language and in some occasions I felt discouraged and mad, that is why I say I got patience and I am very thankful to my classmates for the responses to my blog and the comments to my essays. Those were really helpful.

IS SAMPLING CREATIVE?

In musical terms, sampling refers to take a simple of a recorder sound to reused it like an musical instrument. The sampling was used specially with the hip-hop beginnings in New York in the decade of 70’s. It is made through a sampler that form with a part of a song a different one.

I think that in some ways it is something creative because it is an innovation in terms of finding new ways to make music ,even when they are using parts from other songs . However, one could say it lacks originality because it is the work of someone else. Although the music shows in the greater part of the song a different pace and even better the second part, we can say that is a copy. Really an expression of art as a song should have originality in their various components, such as music and rhythm.

In particular, there are several songs that I think the new version is much better than the first. I like a couple of songs that I think the second version is more beautiful and catchy than the first. One of those is Dilemma which is sung by Nelly and Kelly Rowland being the original Love, Need and Want You sung by Patti Labelle. Another one is Do not Worry Baby sung by The Beach Boys and then interpreted by BJ Thomas. I think in both songs the performers put their own style creating with pauses or intensity in parts, a better connection between artist and listener. I think the original style is quite nice and that in their times created an identification of the audience with his songs, however, in the first case, I think the combination of the two singers' voices created a very innovative and contagious effect.

In the second case, there is not a song I have heard because she was very young when both versions hit the market, however I used to listen when my older siblings listened to music and I always liked. I believe that the interpretation of the second version is super successful, I love the part where he emphasizes the bride comforting, something that I do not feel when I hear the first version with the Beach Boys. It is Definitely my taste. Not trying to be critical of music but it is my personal opinion.

I also like a song that is also mentioned in the M & C book, "You Can not Touch This" performed by MC Hammer, whose original version of Rick James' Superfreak. The second is a song for dancing and definitely think the videos also help to have a song stuck in the crowd.

 But you also have to be honest in mind that there are second parts that do not even deserve to be heard. Actually there are some songs in English that were traduced to Espanish and it does not have the charm of the original one. It is even worse when the song is a romantic style and is sung in a vernacular version.

AMY WINEHOUSE

Since this essay is the most important of all we have done, I think all of us are having special attention in doing this. Besides, is much longer than the others, thus we need to concentrate in the five or six points to be developed in the essay.

Particularly, I have some sources where to look for or research to get the information I need for the essay, however I think that EbscoHost is a great tool for doing researches and compile the information needed.

My research is about Amy Winehouse and her particularly lifestyle even though her fame and fortune.

I want to discover the core and the essence of her personality and try to figure out why she behaves in that way.

I learned that no matter what one has in life, I mean talking about material things, if someone does not have solid principles, those which one is raised with, the consequences could be devastating. I am a little bit confused about the causes or the origins why this singer is so complicated. Apparently she was raised in a well formed family and it is kind of hard trying to figure out the way she thinks. I need to try to be on her shoes and pretend at least for a moment to know or understand what she wants to demonstrate. I know it is not an easy argument since the main reason for her behavior is unknown. I believe everything started like a try for asking some love and attention. Definitely, this is a complicated issue but I wanted to consider her dark and bright side. She is one of the best singers of soul and she projects a powerful sense of rebellion and each of her songs has a message. I want to decipher the bright side that she was born with, that side that reflexes a wonderful lyrics and an extraordinary rhythm that involves all her fans.

I need to check some information that friends, acquaintances, or relatives have told regarding her life. It is going to be interesting and important to know how she used to be and behaved and what the other people thought and perceived about her.

I am reading also about the relationship she had with her husband, because I think he is a cornerstone fundamental in her style of living. On the other hand, I need to confirm some information I got from a magazine, regarding her choice to self-hurt, because I am not sure whether it is a reliable source.

Besides all the material I have gathered, I know something about this singer. I like her style and I wonder why such a famous and talented artist can have so little self-esteem. Perhaps she is not aware that she is going to her self-destruction. It is sad to think she would not overcome her addictions. Hopefully all of her fans and her new fans like me could see a new Amy Winehouse transformed without losing her style casual.

THE INTERNET PIRACY

I am going to speak this week about the internet piracy. It is a kind of fraud, it is a new type of delinquency and it is a form of theft. What exactly is? Is to copy an unauthorized material or any kind of art, I mean any kind of expression that belongs to someone else. Overall, the creative works that are copied are music, movies, software, inventions, products, etc. Despite of all of these products supposedly are protected by law that would not let to reproduce or copy those materials, the reality is other. Piracy is a huge problem for the industries that are involved with entertainment and software. A big issue is when the people copy and sale an illegal form material such as CDs, videotapes, and DVDs. It is not a so complicated process that is why many people who spend time doing it are able to make much money with this illegal practice.

Sadly, I do not believe that music industry will be able to stop piracy. Despite it is a relative new activity, the efforts to fight it, the alternatives that are being offered and the tools to control this struggle are minimum. There are many users and people compromised with this activity and it is like an octopus which tentacles become bigger and bigger.

The parts involved have a big issue with this matter. All of them have the responsibility for making the rules obeyed; therefore it is a situation that apparently is out of control. The music industry, the musicians, and the consumers are the parts that suffer with this activity. Which one of them loses more? Who have the worst part? I think that all of them have

a negative part in all of this process because the music industry invests in a musician for making his/her material well know, thus the public can pay certain amount of money for enjoy his/her music. However, I believe the musician is the biggest factor who is more harmed. The music industry wins a lot of money with every single song, regardless the illegal download of the music. The last member of this chain is the consumer. This is the less damaged part of all of them. The consumer is able to get the music, the software or the video without any remorse because he/she is not related with this process. Many internet users do not have the knowledge about how dangerous and harmful is to continue with this practice. But we need to be honest, I am not sure how hard this situation here is, but if you go to my country, you can find everything you want such as video games, music, musical videos, and so on. There is a big place filled with all the things that you can imagine and that the piracy can obtain. The big problem is that the consumer already knows how harmful is to let this practice continue. With our purchases, we help this activity grows. We are responsible for it too.

THE BACHELOR

I will talk about the TV show: The Bachelor. The premise of this show is to get the best match for the bachelor who has to decide among the contestants through having dates and romances with each one. Each strives to show its best side to enable it to attract the attention of the bachelor since the one is chosen, will marry the bachelor.

The contestants live in a mansion in which they share the same tension of knowing that the bachelor is having a romantic date with any contestant, allegedly trying to know her better. Presumably the bachelor at the end of the season must make a choice between candidates who were runners. How a person may decide to marry if he has treated the contestant just for a few weeks?

This situation is in itself ridiculous because I think nobody knows a person in so few days and less having his romantic life exposed to thousands of viewers. What kind of people does risk their lives in that way before thousands of viewers? This show has a following because no morbidity in between, to see who is able to do or give more, or what is able to do each contestant. At the end he is the one who wins with all of the concursants.

This is a licensed infidelity and if you analyze it good, the bachelor is not someone so special; he is usually a common man. No woman can enjoy being with a man who has been with others while he is with one. This show teaches not to have dignity, besides it is a degradation  for women because the contestants know that the bachelor that "who supposedly they are already in love with" is having perhaps a romantic evening or even worse having sex with another woman. The other day I bought a magazine that interviewed the boyfriend and girlfriend who won the previous reality and asserting that there had had infidelity by one of the parties.

That novelty. Perhaps they thought they were going to have a life together, living a love story without end? Every time there are fewer values ​​between relationships. Sera that these girls do not care what others think or what the viewers are going to say if they are to be cover art for a magazine cover? Even though that is not enough, there was a television interview broadcast in which the winner girl came out crying because her bachelor was not the person she thought.

I think that everything is prepared, that the bachelor already knows who is going to be the winner and that each of the contestants has her contract established, with some guidelines to follow; I mean, if one of them will be the antagonist of the mansion or the favorite sweet contestant. This kind of shows should be cancelled, even more; I do not believe this show will last much. What can we expect next? Searching a boyfriend by catalog and as well as he arrived will go?

I STARTED TO UNDERSTAND

I was trying to find an American singer but since I am Peruvian, I really do not know where to start. I have always listened to American music but I am not related with it in the sense how to analyze lyrics or the trend of the singer. Actually, I started investigating everything related to music in this course. Thus, I asked a neighbor who is a passionate of rock and roll and told me about this singer: Robert Leroy Johnson. To be honest, I have never heard about this singer before, but as soon as he was talking about him, I was more interested in him. I investigated about his life and I learned that he was born on May 8, 1911 and died on August 16, 1938. He was an American blues singer and musician. His productions show a combination of several factors, among them his talent that was an influence for later generations of musicians. This musician while he was alive did not enjoy the fame from his work, not even earned much money through music. But it was in 1961 when the public recognized his talent as a master of the blues, after its recordings were reissue. That is when the musicians of that time realized the talent that was wasted all those years.

Many rock musicians like Eric Clapton, Keith Richards (Rolling Stones), have catalogued him as a very important influence that ever lived, since in his music they found the ingredient that was missing from blue music.

His father had to leave his hometown because of a danger of lynching by a white problem he had with Landowners. He started singing secular songs in That Time That Were Known as something suspicious, which makes it easier to devote a full-time blues musician and leave the life of farmer.

The song "Crossroads" by British psychedelic blues rock band Cream is a cover version of Johnson's "Cross Road Blues", about the legend of Johnson selling his soul to the Devil at the crossroads, although Johnson's original lyrics  suggest he was merely hitchhiking rather than signing away his soul to Lucifer in exchange for being a great blues musician.

Robert Johnson is today considered a master of the blues, particularly of the Delta blues style. His first recorded song, "Kind Hearted Woman Blues," a difference of the Delta style mentioned, it had a varied musical arrangement. Unusual for a Delta player of the time, a recording exhibits what Johnson could do entirely outside of a blues style. At that time, Johnson was respected for his skills in playing the guitar, since raw country to jazz and pop licks.

Johnson had a great voice through which he conveyed emotional verses that impact people nowadays. He had a great talent playing the guitar, being considered nowadays one of the best playing that instrument. He influenced and impacted contemporary musicians. He was one of the performers who used to play on street corners that helped the evolution on black music and the blending of white music with it.

THE LYRICS AND ITS MESSAGE IN GANGSTA RAP SONGS

When I knew that I need to watch videos of gangsta rap, I did not really think what I was going to see, so I decided to look for them to have a wide optic and better understanding of the theme. I was trying to discover the message that is displayed on that music style, but to be honest, after watching several videos I did not even know that such music existed. The four videos I chose to watch were of Ice Cube and the first thing I noticed was the preponderance of the lyrics. It was swearing and complaints against the society or somebody. I think the only one who can portray music like this is just to encourage the complaint, insults due to widespread discontent.

The way I see it, I cannot find anything positive in listening to this type of music, and I do not understand the reason for speaking with such rudeness to express a feeling, no matter what it is. In any case, I respect the different manifestations and tastes of the people.

The dress of the singer and dancers in the videos apparently follows the same pattern. Everybody wears oversized clothes and most times of any team in basketball or football. I guess the gestures and movements with the head and hands represent something that I think they want to show or help to express the idea of the song. For me they are clumsy movements and there is no harmony between the hands and feet. Again, I understand that it is a manifestation of art that is why I hope that people, who read these lines, can understand that this kind of music is not part of my generation and that logically I do not like. I think the rhythm is not so bad, actually I liked one of them, but I think the lyrics do not need to be so vulgar. Besides, The sound was for me good in a couple of songs, they have rhythm and invites you to hear the lyrics, however, after having that feeling, what I discovered was a complete disappointment because I think that listeners of any genre music deserve respect, both the singer and the listener and I would not waste my time listening to music which lyrics is full of insults and swearing. I do not simply understand it. I am not from a generation where there were no complaints and sometimes quite radical musical expressions, however, the music that was heard in the period in which I was a teenager or young adult, also had its exponents a bit radical, but I think there have not musicians who had had such kind of songs. There is freedom of expression, so that whoever wants to listen, listen to it, and those who does not want, can abstain. That's the beauty of living in democracy, to make and express how you feel, even though it should have been always consideration for the rest of the people.

HOW DO YOU FEEL THE RHYTHM?

I think that the words in the lyrics of a song can be considered as a means by which the singer expresses the feelings, ideas and may have a purpose in the message, but definitely, rhythm and dance are essential parts to demonstrate a mood or an effect that music has on us.

The dancers are tangible proof that all their inspiration and feelings are displayed on a dance floor. No matter what kind of music is, from a waltz with the smooth footwork and finesse in every step, to a fast dance, modern and even a rough one. Sometimes I have heard that those new rhythms are not well seen because of the sensual movements the dancers need to perform. Salsa music is one of the types of music that I like particularly to dance. It has many instruments involved, and when you listen to a song in a concert, each instrument amplifies the emotions. It depends of the rhythm that you can dance it in a sensual way or not, is about rhythms through which you can feel and enjoy the music. Verbal communication is powerful in the sense of expressing any ideas, but the communication through the body is certainly more expressive. With a ball what you can do is to tell if you are interested in your companion and you can get uninhibited from some type of state like feeling apathetic.

Through dance a person conveys a type of bodily information that is received by the companion or the public viewer, information that can be felt physically. With other types of music, dances become even more sensual, more frantically danced and stuck. All that allows inhibitions are removed and allow people reach to function at another level.

I remember the movie Footloose, where the adults do not let the youth to dance because it was considered like a sin. Pretty much a movie that lacks of originality, I think. What I am sure is that the dances came from our ancient cultures as an instrument to demonstrate the different mood states of that time. In all of those ancient cultures the dances were considered a tribute to God, or were use to ask their Gods for benefits. Could be considered in any place the dance as a way for sinners to express? Dancing is usually used to show happiness, that is why the music is an essential component of any celebration since is a symbol as I said of happiness.

The rhythm can be felt in our veins, beating within our bodies inviting us to move and dance. Is like you touch a drum when it is played, your senses react to that stimulus. Your brain receives that sensation as an invitation for dancing, to move your body, to have fun. This is what is called the sound perception, when you only feel the music in your core of yourself. This is how I feel when I listen to music; it sends me the waves to vibrate and to dance with it.

MUSICIANS AND THEIR BACKGROUND

I think there are a lot of musicians that have been catalogued as the cause of some movements that brought consequences among several, such as drug and alcohol addiction. I remember I read when I was at high school, an article about Woodstock, the famous festival where the whole people who attended those series of concerts, revealed have had endless drugs and alcohol consume in those days. After all, the whole participants were described like people with the only intention that celebrating freedom but in a dangerous way and full with irresponsibility. Many of the people which attended those concerts, did not eat, take a shower, or even eat something. The Woodstock festival has been without any doubt one of the most important cultural and social events, since it represented a generation with its new values and new ways for understanding the world. It has taken place in 1969, lasting three days, where the most important symbols of the youth music were present. However, Woodstock was not simply a musical festival but transcended all the borders, turning it the recital more multitudinous and influential of the century.

This festival was actually to gather the most influential musician from that time, to give a protest expression against the wars of that time, thus the slogan of the festival was, three days of peace and music. The environment was for sure full of peace, happiness, fellowship and love among the attendants. Therefore, it was inevitable that such many people brought an incontrollable situation, for this reason the sexual freedom and the consumption of alcohol and drugs were one of the characteristics of this festival.

Another of the musicians who were heavily criticized for their way of life was the lead singer of The Doors, who until now is an icon and legend as a musician, but at the same time, his life was always related to alcohol, drugs, nightlife, and endless parties.

I think when the media writes something negative of a musician, often it has hard evidence, so it is not easy to think that a singer with that background is different. I can imagine that all the greatest executives of media receive daily prospects of good singers that besides their talent, they should have charisma and good background, even though the young people prefer the contrary of this profile. However, some artists after having fame and fortune, seem not to have respect to media and they act in a very irresponsible way, causing that press captures the artists in uncomfortable and embarrassing situations. Thus, how can be said that what we read is unfounded? Like these, there are others that maybe because of their youth and inexperience, make a mistake that last for ever, that would be remembered by that mistake rather than for their music. I heard some kids the other day talking about the video of Miley Cyrus that was shown in the whole world. I ask myself, will she be remembered for that sad episode or for her musical trajectory?

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE?

There are some steps that are done before listen to a song. The whole process when you buy a material from your favorite singer, from that very moment until the time you listen to your favorite song, it should be a grateful experience: from beginning to end. Even though the record companies are a fundamental part of the cycle, it is not the only one responsible for bringing inadequate music to the young people, but it has equal or even more responsibility for selling music that can be a threat for young people. It is true and a fact that there are civil rights that everybody has, being one of them the freedom to express, but perhaps this right gives them the freedom to sell everything without caution regardless the consumer or at any cost?

Are the record companies ready or disposed to be involved with this matter? What are the consequences that are needed to see and be more cautious? I can imagine and is pretty sure that one of the primary goals that the record companies have is to launch singers in the market which can sell their music, earning with this a very good profit, but within this purpose, does exist the care of do not offend the susceptibilities of the listeners?

Maybe, the same control should not be done for every song, because, in spite of the kind of music, there is a bunch of singers that maybe the lyric is not the perfect one to express something, because is not their priority, but the rhythm found in a particular song. If this is not the case, and the lyric shows violence, envy, hate, or just nothing good for the listener, so, why don’t prevent or advise for the content? Like the rate of parental control or the advices shown in the movies, thus, the caregivers could know exactly what they are buying for their teens or have more information and knowledge about this issue.

Probably the advisories on the music that the record companies put before the distribution, is not precisely the most indicated, and the young people can have access to music with lyrics that can distort their minds since they are people with no experience and vulnerable to be trapped. There have been many cases in which young students have committed suicides inspired in a subliminal message given in a song. Mistakenly, the ideas expressed in those songs are perceived in a wrong way and do not incite to kill themselves, but the fact of being in a place without control, or surrounded by friends with lack of values, would conspire to have those bad results. Unfortunately, their parents did not recognize any possible signal of any different behavior, and at the end, they are as much surprised as the rest of the people. Parents should have control over their children’s stuff, tastes, friends, and they should have interest in any change of mood or behavior in them, because I think those are the main signs that something is not going good.

THE INFLUENCE OF MUSIC

It is for sure and everybody will agree with me that the music brings happiness and comfort and it is like a remedy to heal any pain, or a motivation when you want to celebrate or just hang out with your friends. What has the music hidden? Definitely, there are millions of lyrics where you can choose from and find the precise one to listen to in any change of mood, but, is there any influence in your behavior? I am pretty sure there is. In the same way the music can influence in a positive manner to you when doing a homework, dreaming about your wedding, taking a nap thinking in your future as a manager (or something like that), there is sometimes, a side apart from all of these facts.

In reference a Deena Weinstein essay, there is a generalization about the misinterpretation of the heavy metal music. In fact, there are songs that were not dedicated precisely to God, good manners, or get well after a dark episode. Most of them refer to invite how to take a detour your acts from the correct way, or at least, the way it is supposed to follow by the rules of the society. I think this is the core of this issue. People that do not agree with the established things and pretend solve by changing or try to change the behavior of anyone else. Maybe those singers do not pretend to influence in a negative way to those young people; adolescents that follow the lyrics, until even commit suicide. Maybe they just want to set up the freedom that in a moment of their lives they did not have the freedom for doing things without any remorse. Unfortunately, there are many cases where young kids for the same reason that they are still adolescents, do not measure the exact weight of their acts

What so responsible are they? Are they supposed to be an example for following? Or, are the record companies the responsible?

In some songs, the interpretation of the lyric is obvious. Sometimes I think the title gives more information than even the lyric by itself.

I am not the kind of person that is only follower to the white music or that I feel affected to the music that reveals maybe more than the supposed to be listened to, but I would prefer not to listen to that kind of music because it is too much for me.

Generally, the kids with problems of conduct, or problems with their parents, usually are followers and fans of the heavy music. It is like a rebellion, a way to protest against something is bothering, or is not fashion. After this, the lack of respect is imminent and the lost of values came in some cases; the same violence that precisely those lyrics offers. However, there is no doubt that in many cases, the lyrics and the songs have a hidden side that is not always the dark one that we are used to think, but the one that heals or tells a bad episode.

ARE THE PEOPLE DEAF WHEN THEY LISTEN TO MUSIC?

One of the things I and everybody knows, is that by means of and with music, a baby can sleep, a couple of lovers is getting married, a service in the church is taking place, and a flag is honored. The whole universe moves with music, does not matter what style is. Even the animals recognize and learn what to do through music. Even though you were not a great follower of the music, we can admit that everybody breathe music; I mean we live with music and the easiness we have now to have access to it, give us the opportunity to know more about it. Why can we consider that some people are deaf and cannot hear what the great tradition has to say?

One of the concerns of some group of people is that the relationship existing among young people and music such as rock and roll can be misunderstood in several ways.  In fact, the kind of music and the amount of the time it will be listened to, will depend from the parents or caregivers. How far will they permit you to go in this matter? This expression of art named pop, rock and roll, salsa, or the style of the music you want to listen to, will be different if it is compared with the frequency or availability your parents had for this purpose. Yes, nowadays the different devices bring you the music you want to listen to, no matter where it comes from. This makes me think, what could have happened if in the last decades, our relatives should have had the same easiness to access to the music; this thinking would change at all?

But, is it good or bad? I don’t believe there is anything good or bad in this matter. It will depend on how you feel or interpret the lyrics or the rhythm. Some people can affirm that heavy metal is a devil music that connects you with the worst side of a human being; that there is a latent thread to the religion, morality, and good manners. I have seen a pair of persons talking like this. I insist. The music, the “good one or the bad one” will interfere in your ethic or manners only if you perceive it in a wrong way. Everything in this life has a good and bad side and all that you can get in excess, is wrong, even the most pleasant things you can ever imagine. We can find negative agents as well, (also in the best things, too), however we can not say that the fact of listening rock and roll, would interfere or modify your purpose in this life or your teachings received along your life.

I am pretty sure that it would be very difficult or maybe impossible to avoid finding controversies about this issue. There are still many opinions to say, and since there are people that will never agree with this form to express art, the discussions will continue.

HOW TO CONVERSATE MUSICALLY?

I think that having have a musically conversation is really interesting, and it should be very common among composers and singers, that is the way they have to express and communicate their feelings. Therefore, it can be said that there are another ways for telling or demonstrate our feelings and emotions.

For instance, when I am feeling blue, I have the necessity to say whatever is hurting me, and talking with God is for me the solution, and the best way I find is praying, singing, or just thinking about Him. In such a way, I not only receive His consolation and love, but besides we can have long conversations. I talk with Him through my soul and my heart.

Perhaps the most common way of talking with a loved one is through your body. For example, a sincere hug between siblings is like saying: I will always be your sister, no matter what happens between us, I will be always by your side, or maybe a hug given to your friend; I will be for you every time you need me. How about a kiss to your parents? What incalculable emotions can be expressed with a kiss to them? A kiss with fidelity and respect, for those parents that gave everything they had for letting us to have a better life than theirs; admiration and thankfulness for the uncountable moments that they took care of us, the nights in silence, waiting we feel better after a fever night.

A caress to my son is the most affectionate way to tell him how much I love him. I do not need to say anything, not even one word to demonstrate my feelings toward him. He knows exactly what I am trying to say by means of a single touch to say it. His response is measured in the same scale. I mean maybe sometimes he did not give me a caress, but a big hug, or as he always says a family hug. Is in this family hug, where any of us without say a word gives a big hug, feeling not only our breathing, but our deepest emotions. I only need to take a look at him to know exactly what is he thinking, a smile to understand his happiness or a face expression to comprehend he is having a bad time.

I can tell we feel the necessity to show our feelings. We are constantly giving hugs and kisses every time we can. When my husband offers me his hand while we are walking to any place or watching a movie, gives me in a way, the confidence and security I need, and the meaning that he loves me just the way I am. I also believe is one of the most sensitive demonstrations of sincere love. I really appreciated to God and life to have this wonderful family, as the text says, we do not actually need words to communicate between us and demonstrate how much we love each other.

The music and its healing powers

As we know, depression is considered as a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of everything surrounding him or her and it is said that is caused due to changes in brain chemicals resulting from various reasons. 

Depression music therapy has been the subject of study for a considerable period of time. It has been proved that the music is a powerful and innovative form of expression that delivers messages through the combination of sound and words. People that are suffering with depression can find solace through this kind of therapy.

This condition when is set in a chronically state, needs medical treatment, and if the patient is diagnosed with bipolar depression, the treatment needs to be chosen with a therapist who can choose the right type of music for the treatment.

There are groups that have meetings online once a week which purpose is to help the users with depression to be calm and in peace through music. The songs should have lyrics that reflect something that has personal meaning for the users. A discussion is open after the song is listened and each user response about his or her own experience and difficulties about having depression. The best way for depressed people that uses this method to feel better, is using a song that could maybe says what is happening with them. This is perfect for people that can not easily express and struggle for communicating their deepest feelings.   The researchers on music therapy and depression suggest caution with the application of music therapy for depression. However, the cases of people who were benefited are living evidence of its efficacy. The various ways in which depression music helps recuperate the depressive disorder.

Subliminal messages in music positively engages patients into some activities that gradually help them open-up their minds. Music provides the tool for communication, especially to those who lost ability for verbal communication. With increased interactions with therapists and family members, the self isolation slowly but gradually breaks. Guided medication helps compliment and speed up the process of recuperation from that isolation.

The music therapy is accepted already by people with depression and is associated with improvements in mood.

Music therapy can be used with a variety of people and in many facets of life. One of the main benefits of music therapy is to feel free. In one study it was shown that music therapy can help to lift one's mood, alleviate stress, lessen fatigue, and help depression. It has been stated that music therapy quit the fears and stimulate to change the negative behaviors. It promotes social learning and develops self-esteem. Exist some researches that state that listening to music can directly influence pulse, blood pressure and the electrical activity of muscles. Neuroscientists now suspect that music can actually help build and strengthen connections among nerve cells in the cerebral cortex.
In addition, the  uses of music with older adults offers strategies for using music to: provide diversion for inactivity, discomfort, and daily routine; decrease symptoms of depression, anxiety insomnia, and agitation; handle problem behaviors; provide physical and emotional stimulation; help in the rehabilitation of people with cardiac disease, Parkinson's disease, and impairments related to stroke; help in the management of pain; facilitate social integration; communication; and the expression of feelings, including anger and grief; and relieve the stress and tension associated with caring for older adults.

The music and me

I am a kind of person whose life has been influenced always by music. I am the five out of six siblings and since I remember, my oldest brother and sisters were listening to music and singing songs. They usually used to make contests regarding videos or lyrics of the songs that were famous at that time. Even nowadays, they gather some weekends to sing with my brother's karaoke and remember those old times. It was really limited to have access to your favorite song. Only if you should have had the record or the cassette, you were able to listen to it. It was kind of hard. Now, it is almost impossible to think that anyone can not have access to the music. But every song has its time. For me, the songs have its own personality because I can feel the same feelings when I listen to a particular song. The music makes me remember for example my first boyfriend, my wedding day or dancing with my father; those were really happy moments, full of love, laugh, and life. Every song makes me travel through the time and brings me back those sweet memories, such as when I was pregnant. I used to sing a particular lullaby every time I was thinking about my baby. However, sometimes those same songs make me feel a little bit blue. The people who I have the remembrance with, there is no longer here with me, because of they are very far from here or they passed away. Every age has its own music, and we grow and change with it. For instance, I have now other memories related to music with my son. We always use to sing willingly every time I am driving him to the bus stop, his swimming practices, or just going to the market. It is our own experience with the music, and I think it helps me to share moments with my son and learn and know more about him. The music has also its own purpose and nationality. Salsa and samba music are usually for dancing, Jazz is for relax moments, Gospel music for praying and the anthems of each country to demonstrate respect and fidelity. My Peruvian music is for the moments that I want to remember my family, my roots, and my friends and to teach my son the difference between one style from the other. There is music that inclusive identifies some product, company, or a team. You just start listening to the first melodies and know what it is about. Certainly, the good music is part of our daily tasks; however there are devout followers of satan music such as Jimmy Page of Zepellin and Aleister Crowley who practiced satanic rituals, including human sacrifices. To conclude, the music motivates the different mood states. The music can make you feel happy, sad, drives you crazy, but it is also healer, and relaxing.

I think the music is like the water for the plants or the air for us to live, and the different forms for making music using almost anything you can imagine, like clapping or shaking spoons as in my country, is exciting. The music moves the people.