Experiencing Music

For the live music event, my family and I decided to watch the Bob Dylan concert which was streamed online through Shadow Kingdom on July 18th. Because of the pandemic, New York still has strict rules on live events, however, the stream still made it feel as if we were there watching live. Watching it on the big TV in the living room, me, my father, his girlfriend, and my brother all were able to enjoy the show in the comfort of our own home.

Bob Dylan, a folk-rock musician, is known and loved worldwide by millions of people, including my dad. Growing up my dad would play his music non-stop which eventually grew my love for Bob Dylan as well. To prove his loyalty to Bob Dylan, he even has a textbook-sized lyrics book that he keeps on our coffee table by the TV. During the concert, he enjoyed every minute of it and knew practically every word for all his songs. He told us he's been to a few of his concerts in the past but this one was really special since he was able to watch and appreciate it with his family. His girlfriend, Danielle, also had a great time. Although she told me she's never been to a concert of his before, she still loved his music and was singing along to some of the songs with my dad. My brother, on the other hand, seemed a little bored. He obviously knows some of the songs from my dad, but he was never the biggest fan. After asking him later on, he said the way the concert was set up threw him off, which was understandable. The way the concert was set up was since it wasn’t in front of an audience, it was just a small stage with him and a few people playing instruments in the background. To add on to that, the entire concert was in black and white with computer made (CGI) people in the front row smoking cigarettes indoors. I believe the reason they did this was to make it feel like it was back in the day when all of that was normal. The way the concert was set up, really emphasized the musical culture of his fans and the music since back then, watching him on your TV, everything would be in black and white and people smoking cigarettes inside was normal.

The setting of the concert was that there was a small room with a stage with Bob Dylan Singing, and four other musicians playing different instruments. There were two guitarists, a cello player, and an accordion with mini piano keys. Since the entire concert was in black and white, with instrument playing musicians in the background, it really set the scene for this concert to make it old fashioned. Watching this today really made it seem as if you were watching this twenty years ago with the way it was set up, which really set the musical culture. The setting made it feel very formal but that just may be since all the musicians were wearing suits. The concert only ended up being an hour and a half but I feel it was so short since it was streamed and not in person. In person concerts it usually takes added time with people getting ready and setting everything up. The rhythm of his music was very unique. It’s not something that I can quite dance to, but my dad and his girlfriend were dancing together the entire time which seemed more fitting. The music was slower than what I am used to but everything was really catchy. The instruments used were also really cool too. I don't think I have ever seen or expected to see instruments such as the accordion and cello be used in concert, but the concert seriously wouldn’t be the same without them, it definitely added some depth to the music. Obviously, Bob Dylan's voice is also really special so hearing him live, instead of pre-recorded on my phone, had a special meaning to it. I am usually listening to old-fashioned music (compared to my friends), so this concert will have a place in my heart forever.

Watching this concert with my family really made the history of the musical culture stand out. It was really interesting watching him play with two different generations right in front of my eyes. My dad and his girlfriend, listening to him growing up to now me and my brother listening to the same music around the same age they were, shows the culture of music and how it has changed. The music enhanced the social identity of the community because Bob Dylan, a legend in some people's eyes, was performing in front of multiple generations of people. It also enhanced the social identity of the community since Bob Dylan hasn't been able to perform since 2019. His tour, because of Coronavirus, was cancelled in 2020 and now he is able to perform again, just online via streaming. During the concert, there was a live chat with other viewers playing, although you were able to hide it, my family and I decided to keep it up since it was interesting what other people had to say. Everyone was constantly cheering in the chat and was so happy to see Bob Dylan performing again. Bob Dylan being able to perform again really brought happiness to a huge community of people all because of his music.

For the religious music project, me and a few other family members attended our local Catholic church for Sunday Mass. Although I only typically attend church for major holidays such as Christmas and Easter, my grandma was in town and she goes every week, it was perfect timing. Not only did I go with my grandma, but my dad and his girlfriend also tagged along which really made my grandma really happy. Usually when I go to church, they play the same songs and I don’t think anything of it. However this time around, I paid specific attention to the lyrics, instruments used, and how it made me feel.

Although the Mass was only a half hour long, there were still five different occasions that the Cantor (the man leading/ singing the songs) sung out loud. The songs that were played throughout the Mass were “You open your hand to feed us, Lord”, “Hallelujah”, “Holy (God of Hosts)”, “We Proclaim Your Death” and “Lamb of God, You Take Away the Sins of the World.” I usually only go to church twice a year, but I was well aware of all of the songs that were played. I assume that because the Church expects more people on holidays such as Christmas and Easter, they have more people helping out with the Church’s ceremony, such as a small orchestra. I was a little shocked that the only instrument that was used during this Mass was an organ. Nevertheless, it was used beautifully and fit the setting perfectly. With the organ, there was only one male Cantor singing, besides the rest of the church singing along for some of the songs.

What really stuck out to me about the music was how each song was sung very similarly. They were all very low, slow paced, and in a sense, peaceful. Throughout the Mass, each song was very meditating and relaxing to the brain, body, and soul. I believe that the church uses very similarly paced music and repeated songs throughout the year so that the people there feel comfortable and at home. In a peaceful setting like church, the music allows your mind to be able to think and pray during this time. The lyrics are very minimal and slow which helps you from being distracted from praying. In addition, the music was very uplifting and makes you feel good on the inside and happy overall. The notes of the organ, the lyrics from the songs, and the cantor singing along all help you feel positive and connected spiritually. I believe people come to church, not only because of the Mass and to hear the words from God, but also because the music is so beautiful and calming. It sets their minds free. For example, if somebody is having a rough time at home or work and is stressed to the max, listening to the music at church can really change how they feel. The music can make it feel as if it's pushing all of your problems away. Watching everyone coming together as a community, singing along to the cantor shows that they are there for you and want to help each other through hard times. It is really something special.

Going to the Mass with my father, his girlfriend, and my grandmother was really interesting as they all had a different perspective on church. My grandma, like stated previously, has gone to church every single Sunday for over twenty years. My father, just like me, only goes twice a year on Holidays. My fathers girlfriend only goes twice a year as well, however, she is a different kind of Christan, so this ceremony was a little different than what she is used to. After talking for some time about the church and the ceremony I asked my grandma what she thinks about the music. Without hesitation she said it's one of the main reasons she goes every week and that church wouldn’t be the same without it. She enjoys how spiritual, uplifting, and catchy the music is. She even finds herself singing the songs outside of church frequently because of how often they get stuck in her head. She said that she enjoys when the music is stuck in her head as it makes her feel holy and warm. My father and his girlfriend seemed to be on the same page. They both find the music very catchy and content. During the service my dad enjoys the music being played during Communion. He enjoys how nobody is talking, the music is playing, and everyone is kept to themselves praying. He said if there were to be zero music playing at this time, then the silence would be even louder. His girlfriend, Danielle, although she didn’t know any of the songs, she enjoyed the way they were played here compared to her church. At her church, a band typically plays music every Sunday with instruments such as a piano, guitar, and drums with both a male and female singer, and the songs are usually more face paced. She enjoyed the type of slow paced music that was played at our church and found it more relaxing and meditating then her own. Both my grandma and father agreed that they couldn’t remember a time where the church wouldn’t sing these specific songs. I find it really interesting how the same songs can be played weekly for decades and people never get sick of hearing it.

Overall, I really enjoyed my time going to this mass with my family. Doing this project really opened my mind to the music that's played during church and I will forever be paying attention to how it’s played and how it makes me feel. I am now more curious than ever to attend different types of churches and see how their music is different from what I am used to and see how it affects the people listening.