MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY SUPPORTING MUSIC

The music that composers make can be heard through several media; the most traditional way is to hear it live, in the presence, or as one of the musicians. Live music can also be broadcast over the radio, television or the internet. Some musical styles focus on producing a sound for a performance, while others focus on producing a recording which mixes together sounds which were never played "live". Recording, even of styles which are essentially live, often uses the ability to edit and splice to produce recordings which are considered better than the actual performance.

As talking pictures emerged in the early 20th century, with their prerecorded musical tracks, an increasing number of moviehouse orchestra musicians found themselves out of work.^[6] During the 1920s live musical performances by orchestras, pianists, and theater organists were common at first-run theaters^[7] With the coming of the talking motion pictures, those featured performances were largely eliminated. The American Federation of Musicians took out newspaper advertisements protesting the replacement of live musicians with mechanical playing devices. One 1929 ad that appeared in the Pittsburgh Press features an image of a can labeled "Canned Music / Big Noise Brand / Guaranteed to Produce No Intellectual or Emotional Reaction Whatever" ^[8]

Since legislation introduced to help protect performers, composers, publishers and producers, including the Audio Home Recording Act of 1992 in the United States, and the 1979 revised Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works in the United Kingdom, recordings and live performances have also become more accessible through computers, devices and internet in a form that is commonly known as music-on-demand.

In many cultures, there is less distinction between performing and listening to music, as virtually everyone is involved in some sort of musical activity, often communal. In industrialised countries, listening to music through a recorded form, such as sound recording or watching a music video, became more common than experiencing live performance, roughly in the middle of the 20th century.

can be programmed to produce and play Sometimes, live performances incorporate prerecorded sounds. For example, a DJ uses disc records for scratching, and some 20th-century works have a solo for an instrument or voice that is performed along with music that is prerecorded onto a tape. Computers and many keyboardsMIDI music. Audiences can also become performers by participating in Karaoke, an activity of Japanese origin which centres around a device that plays voice-eliminated versions of well-known songs. Most karaoke machines also have video screens that show lyrics to songs being performed; performers can follow the lyrics as they sing over the instrumental tracks

PRODUCING A MUSIC

Music is composed and performed for many purposes, ranging from aesthetic pleasure, religious or ceremonial purposes, or as an entertainment product for the marketplace. Amateur musicians compose and perform music for their own pleasure, and they do not attempt to derive their income from music. Professional musicians are employed by a range of institutions and organisations, including armed forces, churches and synagogues, symphony orchestras, broadcasting or film production companies, and music schools. As well, professional musicians work as freelancers, seeking contracts and engagements in a variety of settings.

Although amateur musicians differ from professional musicians in that amateur musicians have a non-musical source of income, there are often many links between amateur and professional musicians. Beginning amateur musicians take lessons with professional musicians. In community settings, advanced amateur musicians perform with professional musicians in a variety of ensembles and orchestras. In some rare cases, amateur musicians attain a professional level of competence, and they are able to perform in professional performance settings.

A distinction is often made between music performed for the benefit of a live audience and music that is performed for the purpose of being recorded and distributed through the music retail system or the broadcasting system. However, there are also many cases where a live performance in front of an audience is recorded and distributed (or broadcast).

PERFORMING A MUSIC

Performance is the physical expression of music. Often, a musical work is performed once its structure and instrumentation are satisfactory to its creators; however, as it gets performed more and more over time, it can evolve and change in any number of ways.

A performance can either be rehearsed or improvised. Improvisation is a musical idea created on the spot (such as a guitar solo or a drum solo), with no prior premeditation, while rehearsal is vigorous repetition of an idea until it has achieved cohesion. Musicians will generally add improvisation to a well-rehearsed idea to create a unique performance. Many cultures include strong traditions of solo and performance, such as in Indian classical music, and in the Western Art music tradition. Other cultures, such as in Bali, include strong traditions of group performance. All cultures include a mixture of both, and performance may range from improvised solo playing for one's enjoyment to highly planned and organised performance rituals such as the modern classical concert, religious processions, music festivals or music competitions.

Chamber music, which is music for a small ensemble with only a few of each type of instrument, is often seen as more intimate than symphonic works. A performer may be referred to as a musician.

Aural tradition

Many types of music, such as traditional blues and folk were originally preserved in the memory of performers, and the songs were handed down orally, or aurally ("by ear"). When the composer of music is no longer known, this music is often classified as "traditional". Different musical traditions have different attitudes towards how and where to make changes to the original source material, from quite strict, to those which demand improvisation or modification to the music. History is also passed by ear through song- for example in African societies.

Ornamentation

Main article: Ornament (music)

The detail included explicitly in the music notation varies between genres and historical periods. In general, art music notation from the 17th through to the 19th century required performers to have a great deal of contextual knowledge about performing styles.

For example, in the 17th and 18th century, music notated for solo performers typically indicated a simple, unornamented melody. However, it was expected that performers would know how to add stylistically-appropriate ornaments such as trills and turns. In the 19th century, art music for solo performers may give a general instruction such as to perform the music expressively, without describing in detail how the performer should do this. It was expected that the performer would know how to use tempo changes, accentuation, and pauses (among other devices) to obtain this "expressive" performance style. In the 20th century, art music notation often became more explicit, and used a range of markings and annotations to indicate to performers how they should play or sing the piece.

In popular music and jazz, music notation almost always indicates only the basic framework of the melody, harmony, or performance approach; musicians and singers are expected to know the performance conventions and styles associated with specific genres and pieces. For example, the "lead sheet" for a jazz tune may only indicate the melody and the chord changes. The performers in the jazz ensemble are expected to know how to "flesh out" this basic structure by adding ornaments, improvised music, and chordal accompaniment.

WT IS A MUSIQ?

The history of music predates the written word. The development of music among humans must have taken place against the backdrop of natural sounds such as birdsong and the sounds other animals use to communicate.^{[citation needed]} Prehistoric music is the name given to all music produced in preliterate cultures.^{[citation needed][1]}

Ancient

Main article: Ancient music

A range of paleolithic sites have yielded bones in which lateral holes have been pierced: these are usually identified as flutes^[2], blown at one end like the Japanese shakuhachi. The earliest written records of musical expression are to be found in the Sama Veda of India and in 4,000 year old cuneiform from Ur.^{[citation needed]} Instruments, such as the seven-holed flute and various types of stringed instruments have been recovered from the Indus valley civilization archaeological sites.^[3] India has one of the oldest musical traditions in the world—references to Indian classical music (marga) can be found in the ancient scriptures of the Hindu tradition, the Vedas. The traditional art or court music of China has a history stretching for more than three thousand years. Music was an important part of cultural and social life in Ancient Greece: mixed-gender choruses performed for entertainment, celebration and spiritual ceremonies; musicians and singers had a prominent role in ancient Greek theater; music was part of children's basic education.^{[citation needed]}

Al-Farabi (c. 872 - c. 950) wrote a notable book on music titled Kitab al-Musiqi al-Kabir ("Great Book of Music"). He played and invented a variety of musical instruments and devised the Arab tone system of pitch organisation, which is still used in Arabic music.^[4]

Medieval and Renaissance Europe

Main articles: Medieval music and Renaissance music

While musical life in Europe was undoubtedly rich in the early Medieval era, as attested by artistic depictions of instruments, writings about music, and other records, the only European repertory which has survived from before about 800 is the monophonic liturgical plainsong of the Roman Catholic Church, the central tradition of which was called Gregorian chant. Several schools of liturgical polyphony flourished in the period after about 1100. Alongside these traditions of sacred music, a vibrant tradition of secular song developed, exemplified by the music of the troubadours, trouvères and Minnesänger.

Much of the surviving music of 14th century Europe is secular. By the middle of the 15th century, composers and singers used a smooth polyphony for sacred musical compositions such as the mass, the motet, and the laude, and secular forms such as the chanson and the madrigal. The introduction of commercial printing had an immense influence on the dissemination of musical styles.^{[citation needed]}

European Baroque

Main article: Baroque music

The first operas, written around 1600 and the rise of contrapuntal music define the end of the Renaissance and the beginning of the Baroque era that lasted until roughly 1750, the year of the death of Johann Sebastian Bach.

Allegory of Music, by Filippino Lippi

Allegory of Music on the Opéra Garnier

German Baroque composers wrote for small ensembles including strings, brass, and woodwinds, as well as Choirs, pipe organ, harpsichord, and clavichord. During the Baroque period, several major music forms were defined that lasted into later periods when they were expanded and evolved further, including the Fugue, the Invention, the Sonata, and the Concerto.^[5]

European Classical

Main article: Classical period (music)

The music of the Classical period is characterized by homophonic texture, often featuring prominent melody with accompaniment. These new melodies tended to be almost voice-like and singable. The now popular instrumental music was dominated by further evolution of musical forms initially defined in the Baroque period: the sonata, and the concerto, with the addition of the new form, the symphony. Joseph Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, well known even today, are among the central figures of the Classical period.

SAWAARIYA-COPIED VERSION OF IYARKAI ???

Jananathan, one of the distinctive directors in Tamil industry, has alleged that director Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Saawariya’ is nothing but a movie copied from his ‘Iyarkkai’. According to Jananthan, a few years ago, Bollywood producer Bokadia had evinced interest in remaking the movie in Hindi with Salman Khan in the lead role and took a print from him. “Till date, I have not received the print'”, says the director. Jananathan, of course, agrees that his film was an adoption of Russian writer Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s classical fiction White Nights. “But I had made many changes in my script to suit the Tamil audience, while Sanjay Leela Bhansali has straight away lifted my script”, claims Jananathan. ‘Iyarkai’, which was released three years back fetched Jananthan national award. ‘Saawariya’, which hit the screens recently, has been receiving poor responses from both critics and the audiences.

FREAKY SCREENSAVER

This time waster is a twofer: you get to waste time and get a great screen saver that will be sure to freak out your cube mate as well as any passer-bys.

The people down at monoface took pictures of 15 people and made different parts of their face interchangeable; eyes, nose, mouth, head/shoulders. You can go over to their site and mix them all around and see what crazy faces you can come up with. You can also download the monoface screen saver. With the screen saver version, it will do the mixing up for you during screen saver mode.

I had fun on the site for a few minutes and am still having fun with the screen saver. Troy's tongue (pictured) is my favorite to put onto any of the faces. What's your favorite?

SIMRAN IS BACK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Simran has long ago expressed her desire to make a comeback in Kollywood. The once most sought-after heroine in Kollywood is now ready and raring to go. When she started her second innings in the tinsel world, it was buzzed that Simran would play the ladylove of Vadivelu in 'Indiralohathil Na Azhagappan'. Rumours were abuzz that Simran would share the screen with Parthiban. However, reports now suggest that Simran would act opposite Karunas. The film would be a remake of 'Vadakku Nokki Yanthram', a Malayalam blockbuster of 1980s. It had Sreenivasan and Parvathi in the lead roles.The film is an out and out comedy entertainer, which revolves around a man who marries a beautiful woman.

DHONI AND SRK

The ad industry will be seen at its snazziest best in the coming days. King Khan and the Swashbuckling Dhoni are coming together for the first time in a commercial for consumer durables giant Videocon. Videocon has presented both the popular youth icons new avatars. With SRK turning out in Indian colours and Dhoni lighting up the set in a glittering gold costume, the roles of both the superstars were reversed. The theme flows with an interesting plot where both the stars play the role of Bhai-Bhai in the film. Describing the strategy at Videocon Industries, Mr. Jyoti Shekhar, VP Marketing says, "Videocon has created magic by bring both the super stars together on a single platform to create a unique campaign. The core idea of the campaign is to celebrate the spirit of success – no matter the role life gives you, always play it big and emerge as a champion." Videocon has strategically managed both the brand ambassadors to ensure brand connect with the younger audience with the help of this new commercial. Apparently, Shahrukh and Dhoni's chemistry was very visible on the sets and they enjoyed a lot by changing their real life roles. Conceptualized by Ogilvy and Mather, Videocon's brand communication partner the film is scheduled to air in the last week of November.

KALLOORI WILL HIT THE SCREENS ON DEC 7TH

Get ready to revisit your college this 7 December. Director Balaji Sakthivel's much--awaited 'Kallori' will hit the screens on 7 December. Produced by director Shankar's 'S' Pictures, the movie has newcomer Akhil and Tamanna in lead roles. Balaji Sakthivel rendered a blockbuster hit in 'Kadhal', which was touted as the best screenplay in the contemporary Tamil cinema. After almost a gap of two years, he is back with 'Kallori'. The movie dwells on the life in college campus caught in a realistic manner, says Balaji Sakthivel. Cinematography is by Chezhian and music is by Joshua Sridhar. The songs are already are a hit and the audio cassettes and CDs are being sold like hot-cakes.

MIRCHI WILL RELEASE SOON

There have been rumours about Mirchi being stalled. But now there is confirmed news that the film is going under production. We had reported last week that a huge set has been erected for the film. The shooting will commence from the end of December. It is also being said that a song will be shot soon at the newly erected set. Rumours were rife that Mahesh was no longer interested in doing Mirchi and that he had opted to do a film with Shekhar Kammula instead. But now, it is confirmed that Durga Arts will be making the film with him as planned earlier. The search is on for the lead girl.

DAY OF D WEEK

I was mulling about at work today and mentioned something about Dickens and got to looking up Charles Dickens and the fact that he died from a stroke. Just being curious, I was wondering what day of the week his death was on, June 9, 1870.

It was a Tuesday for those of you that were wondering. However, me not being super good with numbers and also extremely lazy when it comes to thinking, it took me a while to find a website that could tell me the day of the week it was when supplied with a date. Most of the ones I found right away only worked with the 1900's.

The one I finally did find that works with any date is a great one. I found out that my two daughters and I were all born on a Wednesday. Is that crazy or what?! Anywho, the coincidences stopped there, but the site is a great site; with morse code translators and fantastic unit conversions.

Feel free to check it out and give a shout out in the comments below to let everyone know what day of the seek you were born on.