What if I told you...

What if I told you that alcohol isn't bad for you?

Me being a christian, I've been peppered with different views on the consumption of alcohol. Views in total support of it and views saying that if you drink it you are possessed by a demon. I'm in support of it. I feel that when consuming alcohol, one must be very cautious though. They must have self-control. As alcohol can influence you, you must be able to have self-control to not get drunk.

The Bible says that your body is a temple, and that you should protect it. By drinking a beer on the weekends, you aren't going to be destroying your body. In fact, drinking a soda every day is probably worse for you than drinking a beer on the weekends. And I know for a fact that having a Big Mac and a large fry and soda is much worse for you and more damaging to your body than a beer is.

I mean, even Jesus drank wine.

Ok, this is going to be a very very very short blog, but really that's all I have to say on the matter. That's just my opinion. Feel free to comment.

How has music changed me?

Music has really changed who I am. It has affected me more than I could have ever imagined. I have been either playing or have been involved with music ever since I can remember. I started playing piano at the age of three, and have steadily explored the world. Whenever I am anywhere, I see the music, I hear and feel the music. Unlike most people, the words don't affect me much. It's the tune. The beat, the rhythm of the song that affects me and changes me.

Everyday after school, I go home and put on my headphones. I sit there and play a song. I adjust the settings for bass boost and I crank it. It soothes me and comforts me and gets me through the day. Its almost like my brain food. I need it to survive.

My family has always had a very large interest in music. I think it all started with my Grandfather. He was my mother's father and had this grand piano. He would always go into the living room, sit down and just play to his hearts content. I was always so awed by how he could just play and play and play and not get tired, and have so much inspiration to create beautiful works of art that I never imagined possible. His skill with all of the music that he play was incredible, and I knew that I wanted it.






Though I never picked up piano much, it was a base. It was the start of my passion. I progressed from piano to guitar, and that's where it really hit off. Starting in 7th grade I began to play on my church's worship team, and it was the funnest thing ever. I was involved, and it felt awesome. I had this cheap black acoustic guitar, that now my friend owns, and it went with me everywhere. Wherever I was in the house, that guitar would be by my side the whole time. It was my companion. Music, was my companion.

Music. What is it?

Now, if you have been reading my blog for a few weeks, you will notice that I have made it seem rather...report-ish. This weeks blog will be different. I'm going to take a step away from the historical significance of music and just think about it. What really is music? I know mathematically it's a series of notes played in a specific rhythm, but what is it to you? What is it to me? Everyone has their own opinions on what music is the best, or the worst. Is it the way that the musical sound waves translate in our brains or react with our ear drums? Or is it something more...?

Music to me is much more than just entertainment. It's a way of life. Music is comforting. It can be hectic, or it can be calm. Music, is almost my friend in a way. It has gotten me through hard times and times of great joy.






As a Christian, I go to church every Sunday. I play on the worship team. The music not only resonates with me, but also with God. I feel like I am able to connect with him in a much deeper level when I play. That my friends, is no physical sound wave. It's almost like a spiritual language.

Music to me is not only through the ears, but through the eyes too. If I listen to a song that is very beautiful, I will close my eyes, and see almost what is like fireworks, exploding in the distant darkness. I see images of sound waves entering my ear in such a colorful manner that it makes my body light up, and colors race out my finger tips. Music is real to me.

As a child, I would always love to listen to music and dance to it. I learned to dance starting at age 12 and have really kept it as a hobby ever since. I feel like music and dance coincide with each other. They work together. They are family. To dance, one needs music, to feel the rhythm and let it flow through his/her body. It is a way to connect with not only people, but with yourself.

My best friend and I both share an intense love for music. Whenever we hang out, we always show each other music that we discovered in the week. I don't think it's scientific at all, I just think this is funny, but right once we get tired all music is amazing. It doesn't matter if it is dubstep, jazz, or even polka, it is freaking amazing.

Now, let me ask you, what does music mean to you?

Romani musica

There is no doubt that Roman history had a massive effect on the world. They were an empire that existed for hundreds of years! Though a lot of their culture was actually copied from the Greeks, they still had music littered throughout their lives. They had many musical instruments that the Greeks did, like the aulos and the lyre, but they also had some other ones as well.
 A lot of their music was used in the military, which was a very important part of the society. The musical instruments that were in the army were usually the tuba, and the cornu.

Undoubtedly the most important instrument in the Roman military was the tuba, or straight trumpet. This was often used during triumphal processions, funerals, sacrifices, and other ceremonies. But it's main use was in the military. This would be used to sound troop movement, and would be needed to be played as loudly as possible. Julius Caesar was known for using these, not only to progress troop movement, but also for retreat. During the Gallic Wars, he fought Vercingetorix, who was also known to use these trumpets during battle.

The second most important instrument was the cornu. This instrument was made into a massive G shape and had a crossbar in the middle for support. This instrument was primarily used for directing troops under a certain sign. In civilian life, it was normally used to call together meetings, announcements or social gatherings. Later on in the empire, it was used to announce the presence of the emperor. The cornu was a very well known instrument and is even captured on carvings like the Trajan column, pictured left.




The Romans, though they copied much of the Greek culture, really drove the military and conquering part of the world, and brought forth civilization in the most barbarian parts of ancient Europe. The Romans were one of the first society's to use brass instruments, and not only brass instruments, but instruments for their military. That translated  and even progressed to the 1700's Europe, with line fighting, as fifes and drums were used to keep the beat of the march, and motivate the troops. The Romans created one of the most powerful empires ever, and set their imprint upon the modern society today.

The Second Chorus

Greece. When people think of Greece, they think of the Acropolis. They think of the Olympic games. They think of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, all the great minds of the time period. But one area that never gets mentioned is music. Were the Greeks not musically inclined? Au contraire! They were very musically inclined!

 I'm paraphrasing here, but Aristotle once said something along the lines of, "Gymnastics should be used to discipline the body, and  music to discipline the mind." Pythagoras even 'invented' many musical words, such the octave, fourths and fifths. The Greeks definitely effected it's society with music.

For the Greeks, music was an art, and it was closely tied to math science, and even astronomy. Music derives from the Greek word Muses, and is very much associated with the arts, all the way from history, to dance.

The Greek mythology states, that Amphion learned music from the god Hermes, and then when he had a golden lyre crafted, he built the city of Thebes, by only playing the music. Orpheus, the master musician and lyre player, supposedly played so magically and beautifully that he could soothe wild beasts. But, other than mythology, how was music a part of the society?

Well, the Greeks had two kinds of games: the Pythian and Olympic games. Now, we all know what the Olympic games are, but what about the Pythian games? Well, the Pythian games were competitions of art. They required no physical work, but were competitions of different plays, poems and musical pieces. Music was a very integral part of these Pythian games and it influenced all of European music.

Aulos

The Greeks had 3 main musical instruments that they used, they were the Aulos, Lyre, and Kithara. In the Greek mythology, these instruments were created by gods or demi-gods. The aulos was the instrument that was used to worship the god of Dionysus (god of fertility and wine). This instrument, is very similar to the modern day flute, as seen to the right.

Lyre

The Lyre was associated with Apollo, the god of light, prophecy, poetry, learning and the arts, especially music. In Greek mythology though, it says that Hermes is responsible for its invention. The tale begins when Hermes is trying to steal 50 of Apollo's cattle. He does so successfully, but Apollo finds out. Apollo makes a deal with him that if Hermes gives him the lyre, then he could keep the cattle. There were actually many forms of the lyre, one being a small lyre, as seen below, and another where it was held with two hands. This instrument was the most popular instrument, back in the day.

The third instrument was the Kithara. The Kithara was a large lyre used especially for processions, sacred ceremonies, and theater. Normally, a musician playing this instrument would be standing. This instrument was said to be the instrument that utilized the most skill. A story goes in the Greek mythology, that a woman named Sappho, who was of very high standing, played music very well. Her main musical influence, was that of the emotions. The story goes on and it says that she ascended Mount Parnassus, to be greeted by the Muses (godesses of the inspiration of literature, science and arts). As she wandered around they came upon the cave of Apollo, and she began to play her kithara, and all of the Muses danced to her wonderful songs.

Now, this is all fine and dandy, but how did the Greeks really influence society? Let me tell you, the Greeks have influenced society immensely! The lyre, and kithara, were essential to today's guitar! You would have never heard of Jimi Hendrix or Chuck Berry, or all of the great guitar players without these instruments! The Greeks provided the instrument, that completely changed the 19th Century! I'd say that's a huge influence on society! Not only did they influence our society, but they also influenced their own! As you read, they had many stories about their music. Aristotle even studied music! 

Music was very prevalent in this ancient society. During the Golden Age of Greece (around 500 to 300 B.C.), many plays were made, poems were written, celebrations were had. Music was a key component to every single one of these things. Even music was used to study philosophy. Pythagoras even invented the use of harmonics, and figured out that they are related to each other through mathematics. 

But, if you are like me math and science are, 'all Greek to me'. Pun intended.

The First Measure

  Music has been around for many years. It has shaped civilizations and caused movements among societies. It is one of the leading topics in the media even today. Music is an important part of society. But, enough of

today, lets go back in time a bit. Over the next few weeks, I will be exploring the origins of music, starting with Ancient Egypt, and ending with our society today. Now, I know you will be asking me, "But, Egypt isn't the beginning of society?" To answer your question, I know. It is not the beginning, but it is an early society that was very prominent for many, many years. It was one of the first societies to instill writing. Not only were they one of the first to instill writing, but they were are very religious society. Music, even today is in practically every religion. What do you hear when you walk past a church? Music. Music, to many is a way to communicate. Music has such importance, and that is why I chose the topic.


  Now, let's get to the real stuff.

  Music in Ancient Egypt was very prominent. Its origins can be dated back to The Old Kingdom which dated from around 3200-2300 B.C.E. Many paintings that are put on the walls of old Pharaohs (they technically weren't pharaohs yet, but we'll just call them that) had depictions of people clapping. Though many would say this is barely musical, it is. They are making music with their hands. Not only with their hands, but they would also make things called, 'clappers'. They were instruments that were made of ivory (during the pharaonic period, they began to design them and shape them into hands), as seen below.

Ancient Egyptian Ivory 'clappers'

  As time passed, it became much more prominent. Many paintings show lines of people playing harps, drums and such as they follow a funeral. The Ancient Egyptian funeral involved many musicians. As it would progress down the Nile, mourners, dancers and musicians would all be on the boat. Music was a very important part of their services.

A carving of a funeral boat

Not only was it very much a part of their funerals, it was in their religion as well. The Egyptians even had gods to music, Bes and Hathor. Bes was the dwarf god of music and warfare. Hathor was the goddess of love and music.
  Musicians had different statuses. Musicians in the temple, were often of much higher status than that of a musician hired to entertain. Musicians in the temple were often positions held by women, which is why paintings of musicians are often done of women.


  As I close my post about Ancient Egyptian music, I would just like to discuss the significance of it. It was used in religion, entertainment, and even funerals. It was a very integral part of society. We even see parallels between ancient society and modern society. A musician in Egypt had very high statuses. They were used in religious ceremonies and for plain entertainment as well. Today, in America, we see that musicians are considered gods among men. Everywhere you go, you will see pop stars on magazines, billboards, on television; they are everywhere.

Times Square, New York

  They effect the modern society greatly. For example, Michael Jackson. When he died there were many many people expressing their sorrow for the, "King of Pop". Even the title suggests a higher place in society! In the ancient times, I am uncertain, as to if they had this much importance in the culture, but I do know that they did have importance.
  As time goes on, societies change, they develop. I feel that part of societies drive, comes from music. Music, starting from the beginning. It shapes and molds the future, creating new social classes, getting people through rough times, and even changing the world.