tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post7936278957896163063..comments2024-01-01T21:31:27.654-08:00Comments on UNCLE EDDIE'S THEORY CORNER: THE MEANING OF MUSICEddie Fitzgeraldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07729949238666234774noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-33528481717450316392008-04-19T09:50:00.000-07:002008-04-19T09:50:00.000-07:00Oh cool beans, Eddie! I get to see you on video fo...Oh cool beans, Eddie! I get to see you on video for the first time, and I learned a lot from those ten minutes. I mean, I already understood that music is like a language and to tell the story and give us an idea of what it all means.<BR/><BR/>When you told me this in a new way, I learned even more about this principle. Repetition, playing a game was the biggest part of the new information I absorbed. All of that music hardly added up to ten seconds, and there's so much meaning in it. Holy crap.<BR/><BR/>For me, this gives me an idea for a reason as to why I don't like rap, focusing on just the music, no lyrics. It's too repetitive. In a way, that would be too much clarity, so hearing other repetitive songs would sort of muddy the differences between song to song. Right? Or wrong?<BR/><BR/>I absolutely LOVE the way movies were scored back then. Why do movies sound so boring now, music-wise?Ross Irvinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02033285147977101581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-88357087710436067712008-04-17T21:54:00.000-07:002008-04-17T21:54:00.000-07:00John Williams also does a "Harry Potter" reference...John Williams also does a "Harry Potter" reference in the scene where Anakin delivers Baby Luke to Owen and Beru. The parallels are clear.<BR/><BR/>Darth Vader's theme is also a ripoff of "Mars Bringer Of War" which makes sense.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-32738589618575020542008-04-17T07:17:00.000-07:002008-04-17T07:17:00.000-07:00Nice LOTR observation Crumpled Up John! I noticed...Nice LOTR observation Crumpled Up John! <BR/><BR/>I noticed the same type of idea in Star Wars. Two or three of the Darth Vader "Imperial March" notes are extremely subtly interwoven into the score when we first meet Anakin Skywalker, in episode 1. Great use of foreshadowing ala audio.Marc Deckterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15917697016899142228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-7142274928686119002008-04-17T00:05:00.000-07:002008-04-17T00:05:00.000-07:00The "many worlds hypothesis" (i.e. parallel univer...The "many worlds hypothesis" (i.e. parallel universes) is certainly an intriguing idea, but most Respectable Physicists(tm) think that as an explanation, it causes more problems than it solves.<BR/><BR/>(I have a grand total of two semesters of quantum physics under my belt, so this gives me the little knowledge required to be a dangerous thing, but FWIW, I happen to agree. It really does cause a lot of problems.)<BR/><BR/>I think that the best thing about it is that it's a beautiful piece of fiction. The idea of parallel universes, and alternate versions of us, is like the perfect thought experiment.<BR/><BR/>As we all know, humans have always worked out their problems through stories. Parallel universes are a great device for working out certain kinds of "what if" problems.Pseudonymhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04272326070593532463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-69956531519920529192008-04-16T22:00:00.000-07:002008-04-16T22:00:00.000-07:00It's also interesting to note the emotion memory t...It's also interesting to note the emotion memory that is triggered through music, where certain sounds are associated with certain moods and memories and how the use of those sounds alone or combined with others can make such an impact. <BR/><BR/>For example, something I noticed while watching the Lord of the Rings trilogy (which incorperates much of the same musical themes throughout each movie but changes them enough to make them entirely unique) is how the first movie uses a flute often as part of the Shire theme, but not for any other location, except near the end of the third movie when they are trying to gather enough strength to climb Mt. Doom. This scene of course has it's own theme and musical personality but when they seem to get the strength, there is the addition of the flute. It seems almost to show (in a much subtler way than, say, a flash back) that they are calling on memories from the Shire to grant them strength. <BR/><BR/>Just an interesting thing about themes and how they can combine to tell a completely different story.Crumpled Up John!https://www.blogger.com/profile/06536920700608741857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-19577841111585670402008-04-16T17:12:00.000-07:002008-04-16T17:12:00.000-07:00Anon: It's a really great piece of music and I'm r...Anon: It's a really great piece of music and I'm really glad you turned me on to it, but I probably won't try to talk about it here. I'm using music without lyrics, because it's easier to talk about.Eddie Fitzgeraldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07729949238666234774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-14822598221681071412008-04-16T16:44:00.000-07:002008-04-16T16:44:00.000-07:00I'm reading the Golden Books history too! Isn't i...I'm reading the Golden Books history too! Isn't it great? I've been meaning to post about it.Jenny Lerewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06668171465801333811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-24815800132386662422008-04-16T10:44:00.000-07:002008-04-16T10:44:00.000-07:00To find the "How Long Blues" I wanted you to liste...To find the "How Long Blues" I wanted you to listen to, type in "Beale Street Sheiks" on Youtube. Thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-61036178892720537962008-04-16T10:38:00.000-07:002008-04-16T10:38:00.000-07:00An enlightening post as always, Eddie. Really love...An enlightening post as always, Eddie. Really loved it. But what would be your analysis of other types of music, like my favorite, blues? Not that new "electric blues" crap, but the great old stuff. I'd like you to analyze the song "How Long Blues" by Frank Stokes, if it's not too much trouble. You can find it on Youtube. Er, you like blues don't you?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-53960626609692829362008-04-16T10:07:00.001-07:002008-04-16T10:07:00.001-07:00Another great thought-provoking post! I especially...Another great thought-provoking post! I especially liked the idea of language as song. I once animated dialog to a track by Gary Marshall & I was struck by how every vowel was a pitch-perfect & every phrase had a melody to it.pappy dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07634780939188002027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-50387448571260374012008-04-16T10:06:00.000-07:002008-04-16T10:06:00.000-07:00Great post! - music is certainly a very powerful t...Great post! - music is certainly a very powerful tool for communication. <BR/><BR/>Your idea of music as a "game" is particularly interesting. Can you elaborate on that?<BR/><BR/>This is kind of off topic, but I just recently re-watched David Lynch's "Lost Highway" (it's been recently re-released on dvd in widescreen). And I noticed that one way of looking at the film's structure is as a musical structure - with it's re-occurring themes and variations on a theme - repeated phrases - etc... <BR/><BR/>This is one of my favorite topics - definitely looking forward to more.Marc Deckterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15917697016899142228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-3737036078549348942008-04-16T06:56:00.000-07:002008-04-16T06:56:00.000-07:00I love these little talks.I love these little talks.Vincent Wallerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03505903461868673973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-76684854588311344542008-04-16T02:20:00.000-07:002008-04-16T02:20:00.000-07:00Trevor: Thanks for the offer of help! I'll lug my ...Trevor: Thanks for the offer of help! I'll lug my imac to the Apple store tomorrow night and they'll probably solve the problem!<BR/><BR/>Jerk: Sid caesar!? you have good taste!<BR/><BR/>Aggie: Ten minutes is not enough!? Good for you!!! And you're right...tritones are a great way to go! I'll definitely put up more music posts but I'd better spread them out.Eddie Fitzgeraldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07729949238666234774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-35986208808591792262008-04-16T02:11:00.000-07:002008-04-16T02:11:00.000-07:00I enjoyed watching the video.I don't know much abo...I enjoyed watching the video.<BR/><BR/>I don't know much about music, so this is a nice way to learn a bit about music. I like the way you are explaining the different parts of the music piece.Mitch Leeuwehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03748196647137310735noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-47755115727746968952008-04-16T02:09:00.000-07:002008-04-16T02:09:00.000-07:00Forest: Interesting video!Jenny: I had an extreme ...Forest: Interesting video!<BR/><BR/>Jenny: I had an extreme reaction to the anesthetic but I'm still glad I had the surgery. Now i read again. <BR/><BR/>Right now I'm reading the new history of Golden Books and Kaku's book on parallel universes. I don't know why the parallel thing interests me so much. I'm not sure I really believe in parallel universes. i guess what interests me are the other ideas contained in those books: empty space generating energy, mysterious repellent forces, the Higgs Boson that's in the news so frequently now....boy, the universe sure is a strange place!Eddie Fitzgeraldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07729949238666234774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-44707575267298815752008-04-15T20:55:00.000-07:002008-04-15T20:55:00.000-07:00I of course remember that painful operation(at lea...I of course remember that painful operation(at least the aftermath was awfully painful). I thought it had been to correct something else though--don't remember your saying it was a lasik procedure. Well, that's nice!<BR/><BR/>Yes, I've seen glasses on you here but here's always a false nose or something involved also so I assumed they are simply props to you now. <BR/>I have a beautiful pair of hornrimmed french glasses that I alternate with the naked eye look-contacts. <BR/>: )Jenny Lerewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06668171465801333811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-4600913094935197292008-04-15T20:43:00.000-07:002008-04-15T20:43:00.000-07:00Music is invisible & can be controlled much like a...Music is invisible & can be controlled much like a painted or drawing. It helps to have ears but you dont need them. Their is this channel thats is quite good on youtube called Texas Country Reporter. One of the first vids they posted was about a blind painter. Heres the link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8P84bfFpVWE Its pretty neat.Eshniner Forest https://www.blogger.com/profile/10200448934812166604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-48467607185276580002008-04-15T17:29:00.001-07:002008-04-15T17:29:00.001-07:00I assume you were playing from the Turner CD of th...I assume you were playing from the Turner CD of the "Wizard of Oz" soundtrack, which features many alternate and a few longer takes of Herbert Stothart's wonderful score. All the surviving orchestral stem recordings are on that collection, which only saw the light of day because Ted Turner liked movies. Sometimes it takes a billionaire on lithium.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-16347329299404985052008-04-15T17:29:00.000-07:002008-04-15T17:29:00.000-07:00Great post Eddie! I love to hear your ideas. So ma...Great post Eddie! I love to hear your ideas. So many different concepts discussed on a "cartoon" blog. The marriage of music and animation is a sorely missed idea in our modern times. I've been watching the first Popeye DVD collection, and the use of beats and timing in the animation is staggering! Such a powerful concept that isn't used at all anymore ( Well, not nearly enough anyways!)<BR/><BR/>Have you seen this clip of Bernstein speaking on his theory of music? Really insightful stuff.<BR/><BR/>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14VhzlcSuT0&eurl=http://gurneyjourney.blogspot.com/search?q=musictedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16803774166906370964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-59433035745931147452008-04-15T17:12:00.000-07:002008-04-15T17:12:00.000-07:00Tritones are wonderful anticipating intervals!Oooo...Tritones are wonderful anticipating intervals!<BR/><BR/>Oooooh, what a wonderful musical analysis! One can say sooo much on just a few seconds of a piece. Please please pleeeease make more of these! Ten minutes isn't enough! :)Aggiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08920547833960751069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-48822699946030524542008-04-15T16:59:00.000-07:002008-04-15T16:59:00.000-07:00What's wrong with your iMovie software? I can pr...What's wrong with your iMovie software? I can probably help. I'm a videographer.<BR/><BR/>- trevor.Trevor Thompsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08554109671909765241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-54684948232567623222008-04-15T16:50:00.000-07:002008-04-15T16:50:00.000-07:00you mentioned in the video "musical arguments," an...you mentioned in the video "musical arguments," and i immediately thought of the classic Sid Caesar/Imogena Coca sketch, "Argument to Beethoven's 5th" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEhF-7suDsMThe Jerkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00576217569832246005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-35072439891914658282008-04-15T16:23:00.000-07:002008-04-15T16:23:00.000-07:00I've been thinking all night about fanfares. A lo...I've been thinking all night about fanfares. A lot of fanfares seem to work similarly to the opening of <I>Oz</I>.<BR/><BR/>Take one of the most famous fanfares, for example: <A HREF="http://youtube.com/watch?v=ENl4JK6LJ0Y" REL="nofollow"><I>Sunrise</I> from <I>Also Sprach Zarathustra</I></A> by Richard Strauss.<BR/><BR/>It starts off with a single long pedal note. (In this case, it's probably literally a note played on a pedal, since it's actually the lowest C on the pipe organ.)<BR/><BR/>There then follows a simple phrase played over that note, which ends with the two loud chords (C major to C minor), and the timpani solo, all still on the same pedal note.<BR/><BR/>The phrase is then repeated, except that the chords are reversed (C minor to C major), again all on the same pedal note.<BR/><BR/>On the <I>third</I> occurrence of the phrase (like the "third guy" in the joke), the chords are changed (C major to G major).<BR/><BR/>Compare this with some other famous fanfares, such as Aaron Copeland's <A HREF="http://youtube.com/watch?v=Xzf0rvQa4Mc" REL="nofollow"><I>Fanfare for the Common Man</I></A>, or even the <A HREF="http://youtube.com/watch?v=IaKpzB1XAkM" REL="nofollow">Universal Logo</A>.Pseudonymhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04272326070593532463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-66116352992896993922008-04-15T15:44:00.000-07:002008-04-15T15:44:00.000-07:00Trevor: I still haven't fixed the iMovie problem....Trevor: I still haven't fixed the iMovie problem. I was able to make this video because I shot it on one take in PhotoBooth, sans editing.Eddie Fitzgeraldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07729949238666234774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28525168.post-38934352554515694202008-04-15T15:01:00.000-07:002008-04-15T15:01:00.000-07:00Adam: Thanks for the link! It's nice to know that ...Adam: Thanks for the link! It's nice to know that someone who knows what she's doing agrees with this.<BR/><BR/>The format of Radiolab show was interesting: the cadences of speech, the sound editing, etc. <BR/><BR/>Jenny: I had an eye operation a year and a half ago and now I only need glasses for distance. I still like glasses though, and sometimes I wear them even when i don't have to. Some of the videos and photo essays I've done here have me wearing glasses.<BR/><BR/>How about you? Do you still wear them?Eddie Fitzgeraldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07729949238666234774noreply@blogger.com