Music Appreciation

Written Assignment #1 – The 21 Day Challenge

Researchers have found that enjoying and understanding music is distributed across several areas of the brain. So why do we enjoy music so much? Is it emotional, reward, or arousal-based, or is it that we are searching for structure and order? Researchers can’t be sure. This assignment will have you listening to music from a referential perspective. Maybe you’ll figure it out!

1. Listen to a different song each day over the next 21 days.
2. Choose the song according to the  Daily Songs Written_Assignment_1.docx – Alternative Formats listed in the table.
   a. No two songs can be the same.
   b. They may be in any genre or style: classical music, folk music, pop music, jazz, hip-hop, etc.
   c. You may choose music both within this course and outside of this course (e.g. Pandora, Spotify, YouTube, etc.)
3. Complete the Daily Songs Table by providing the:
   a. Name of the song
   b. Name of the Composer(s)
   c. Name of the Performer(s)
   d. Explain why you chose that song.
   e. Under Comments, use complete sentences to explain what do you liked and did not like about the song? Mention any instruments you recognize. If the song has lyrics, do you like or dislike them and why? Be specific in your comments.

Examples: “The guitar solo is technical and intricate and that appeals to me.”
“Kim Carnes gravelly voice is like nails on a chalkboard. I can’t stand it.”
“The trumpets sound like they’re heralding a majestic king!”
“When Paul McCartney sings, ‘Yesterday, all my troubles seem so far away,’ I can really relate to that time of innocence
when I didn’t have any problems!”

4. Type your Assignment into the  Daily Songs Written_Assignment_1.docx – Alternative Formats

.
5. Use Microsoft Word and run a spell check/grammar check (under the “Review” menu in Word). Correct grammar and spelling will be part
of your grade.
6. Copy and paste your assignment into the Assignment Drop Box (not the “Comments” Box.)

All written assignments will run through SafeAssign, Blackboard’s plagiarism checking tool. Be sure to paraphrase appropriately.