Comments on: The Mozart effect and its legacy http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/7744/the-mozart-effect-and-its-legacy/ Sun, 27 May 2012 12:54:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: bert http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/7744/the-mozart-effect-and-its-legacy/#comment-1081955 bert Sun, 07 Dec 2008 23:32:35 +0000 http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/?p=7744#comment-1081955 No, I do not. Took a job that paid more. Haven’t been in the classroom for 30 years. And my certificate expired during that time. I would love to substitute next year since I will be retires. But to substitute you need to have an up to date certificate. To get that I would have to take about 10 new courses and I just cannot afford it. Plus I no longer have the burning desire to perform on demand for some pompous professor. Plus it is so stupid. I have a master’s degree in remedial reading and am an outstanding reading teacher. But no one will hire me. It is a shame. No, I do not. Took a job that paid more. Haven’t been in the classroom for 30 years. And my certificate expired during that time. I would love to substitute next year since I will be retires. But to substitute you need to have an up to date certificate. To get that I would have to take about 10 new courses and I just cannot afford it. Plus I no longer have the burning desire to perform on demand for some pompous professor. Plus it is so stupid. I have a master’s degree in remedial reading and am an outstanding reading teacher. But no one will hire me. It is a shame.

]]> By: AnnieCollier http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/7744/the-mozart-effect-and-its-legacy/#comment-1081609 AnnieCollier Sun, 07 Dec 2008 19:48:58 +0000 http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/?p=7744#comment-1081609 Lucky kids to have had such an involved and interested teacher! Do you still teach? Lucky kids to have had such an involved and interested teacher! Do you still teach?

]]> By: Galt http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/7744/the-mozart-effect-and-its-legacy/#comment-1081105 Galt Sun, 07 Dec 2008 16:34:10 +0000 http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/?p=7744#comment-1081105 You agree with half of what I said, actually. ;) Its not up to me what a parent does. I think there is merit to the notion of exposing kids to negative things and educating them why you feel they are not good. There is also merit to sheltering them from the extremes. I don't know which is better. That is up to parents to determine. That was my point, OGG. There is one other thing to factor in which I guess is implied: if a parent goes the educational value route, that would be inherently done age appropriately. You agree with half of what I said, actually. ;)

Its not up to me what a parent does. I think there is merit to the notion of exposing kids to negative things and educating them why you feel they are not good. There is also merit to sheltering them from the extremes. I don’t know which is better. That is up to parents to determine. That was my point, OGG.

There is one other thing to factor in which I guess is implied: if a parent goes the educational value route, that would be inherently done age appropriately.

]]> By: oowawa http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/7744/the-mozart-effect-and-its-legacy/#comment-1081099 oowawa Sun, 07 Dec 2008 16:30:37 +0000 http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/?p=7744#comment-1081099 Thanks for this perspective JozefAL. Thanks for this perspective JozefAL.

]]> By: Ashy1 http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/7744/the-mozart-effect-and-its-legacy/#comment-1081089 Ashy1 Sun, 07 Dec 2008 16:28:41 +0000 http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/?p=7744#comment-1081089 Yes, in your own words, it's "cheap" and [easy] which is kind of my point exactly. If kids were trained in music, they would probably reject, or at least prefer, something more complex than the pervasive strong, basic 4/4 rhythm minus anything resembling a melodic line. Are you kidding me!--I'm "focusing on a few negative aspects... and using it to condemn and disparage the whole genre." The abundance of negative "lyrics" has given it the well deserved reputation it has for being gutter music. I didn't invent that one. I'm just an observer. Also, please note that besides classical music, I thoroughly enjoy listening to Jazz, Rock, Raggae, Doo Wop, Japanese Kodo drumming, Indian sitar music, Spanish guitar, a bit of opera now and then, and all sorts of international folk music--just about anything--but I HATE rap. BORING!! Yes, in your own words, it’s “cheap” and [easy] which is kind of my point exactly. If kids were trained in music, they would probably reject, or at least prefer, something more complex than the pervasive strong, basic 4/4 rhythm minus anything resembling a melodic line.

Are you kidding me!–I’m “focusing on a few negative aspects… and using it to condemn and disparage the whole genre.” The abundance of negative “lyrics” has given it the well deserved reputation it has for being gutter music. I didn’t invent that one. I’m just an observer. Also, please note that besides classical music, I thoroughly enjoy listening to Jazz, Rock, Raggae, Doo Wop, Japanese Kodo drumming, Indian sitar music, Spanish guitar, a bit of opera now and then, and all sorts of international folk music–just about anything–but I HATE rap. BORING!!

]]> By: oowawa http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/7744/the-mozart-effect-and-its-legacy/#comment-1081075 oowawa Sun, 07 Dec 2008 16:19:47 +0000 http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/?p=7744#comment-1081075 <blockquote>Some of the best rock and roll is made with arrogant sneers and misogyny</blockquote> This is very true. But that was only one side of the mandala; on the other side there was romance and adoration of the beloved.

Some of the best rock and roll is made with arrogant sneers and misogyny

This is very true. But that was only one side of the mandala; on the other side there was romance and adoration of the beloved.

]]> By: bert http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/7744/the-mozart-effect-and-its-legacy/#comment-1080814 bert Sun, 07 Dec 2008 13:34:19 +0000 http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/?p=7744#comment-1080814 When ever there are money problems the first things Boards cut are the specials - art, music, and gym. That is too sad. It is also very short sighted. When I taught first grade in the inner city in the 70's I used to play classical music when the children wrote or were quitely reading or working math problems. They loved it. And we did an entire unit on Tchaikovsky's <em>The Nutcracker</em>. I chose that music and ballet becasue of its timeless appeal to children. I even had the children dance. I also used Disney's <em>The Sorcerer's Apprentice</em> movie (cartoon really) to explore music. Sometimes I asked them what they heard and what they liked and why. And we compared <em>The Nutcracker</em> to <em>The Sorcerer's Apprentice</em>. They thought they were having fun. I thought I was exposing children to something new. I did the same thing with art. I had prints of some art works, for instance Van Gogh, Da Vinci, duBois. Whenever I had a minute or two that needed filling I took down one of the pictures and we explored what was in the picture and what they liked. We took a field trip to the local art museum that was a highlight for the kids. The art work the kids drew after that visit was unbelievable!!! When ever there are money problems the first things Boards cut are the specials – art, music, and gym. That is too sad. It is also very short sighted.

When I taught first grade in the inner city in the 70′s I used to play classical music when the children wrote or were quitely reading or working math problems. They loved it. And we did an entire unit on Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. I chose that music and ballet becasue of its timeless appeal to children. I even had the children dance.

I also used Disney’s The Sorcerer’s Apprentice movie (cartoon really) to explore music. Sometimes I asked them what they heard and what they liked and why. And we compared The Nutcracker to The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. They thought they were having fun. I thought I was exposing children to something new.

I did the same thing with art. I had prints of some art works, for instance Van Gogh, Da Vinci, duBois. Whenever I had a minute or two that needed filling I took down one of the pictures and we explored what was in the picture and what they liked. We took a field trip to the local art museum that was a highlight for the kids. The art work the kids drew after that visit was unbelievable!!!

]]> By: JozefAL http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/7744/the-mozart-effect-and-its-legacy/#comment-1080330 JozefAL Sun, 07 Dec 2008 07:43:04 +0000 http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/?p=7744#comment-1080330 With regards to misogyny in rap, I still remember a bizarre double standard that developed in the late 1980s. A number of hardcore male rappers were releasing song after song filled with some of the most misogynistic lyrics--whether dismissing women as sluts or ice queens or gold diggers, the "b" word (rhymes with "witch") and the "h" word (sounds like a garden utensil) were used with little recrimination. A number of rap and rap-oriented stations had little problem playing the songs uncensored (a few other words had to be edited, but not the two referring to women). Then, a couple of FEMALE rap groups decided to get into the act. Being every bit as nasty and offensive as the male groups, BWP and HWA (Bitches With Problems and Hoes With Attitude) were condemned for their lyrics, not JUST from women's groups (both Black and White women's groups had also condemned the male rappers' lyrics) but also from a number of men in the African-American community. While the men would often step in to defend the male rappers as simply relating the conditions in the inner city, they showed their hypocrisy by condemning BWP and HWA for playing into demeaning stereotypes of African-American women in the inner city. (Truthfully, neither BWP nor HWA were all that good, even when compared to their male counterparts. 2 Live Crew, while pretty misogynistic, did attempt to make their dirty raps have some fun, and did actually have some decent rapping skills.) The flip side to this, however, was that the lady rappers who were genuinely skilled were, unfortunately, frequently ignored, not only by the general public but also the rap community. Salt 'n' Pepa (the most successful female rap act) were never given their due (the ladies even challenged radio stations over their first real hit, "Push It"--they noted the single was a million-seller but barely got any airplay at either R&B or pop radio stations) and Queen Latifah was criminally ignored by radio and the public (she was much more successful in her acting ventures, starting with the show "Living Single", continuing through her turns in <em>Chicago</em> and <em>Hairspray</em>; incidentally, anyone who enjoyed her singing in those two films needs to pick up her last two albums, <em>The Dana Owens Album</em> and <em>Trav'lin' Light</em>). Rap, even more than rock, tends to be a "boys' club--no girls allowed". At least with rock, women have had genuine success: Wanda Jackson, Brenda Lee, Janis Joplin, the Wilson Sisters of Heart, Pat Benatar, Stevie Nicks, Patti Smith, Chrissie Hynde, Joan Jett, Kate Bush, Melissa Etheridge. All have been able to rock out with the best of the men, and all have influenced later rockers. It is a little odd (perhaps, even ironic) that rap success seems to elude women as women are the ones most commonly thought of as most comfortable with verbal skills and should be naturals at rap (male rappers who can slam twenty clear well-enunciated syllables over a single note receive praise by the truckload; I'm almost certain that a woman doing the same thing would be considered nothing special). Another bizarre thing about rap and women--right now, the most highly praised female rapper is MIA, who's originally from England but grew up in India and Sri Lanka (where her family's from), and she's not really a "rapper" as such. With regards to misogyny in rap, I still remember a bizarre double standard that developed in the late 1980s. A number of hardcore male rappers were releasing song after song filled with some of the most misogynistic lyrics–whether dismissing women as sluts or ice queens or gold diggers, the “b” word (rhymes with “witch”) and the “h” word (sounds like a garden utensil) were used with little recrimination. A number of rap and rap-oriented stations had little problem playing the songs uncensored (a few other words had to be edited, but not the two referring to women). Then, a couple of FEMALE rap groups decided to get into the act. Being every bit as nasty and offensive as the male groups, BWP and HWA (Bitches With Problems and Hoes With Attitude) were condemned for their lyrics, not JUST from women’s groups (both Black and White women’s groups had also condemned the male rappers’ lyrics) but also from a number of men in the African-American community. While the men would often step in to defend the male rappers as simply relating the conditions in the inner city, they showed their hypocrisy by condemning BWP and HWA for playing into demeaning stereotypes of African-American women in the inner city. (Truthfully, neither BWP nor HWA were all that good, even when compared to their male counterparts. 2 Live Crew, while pretty misogynistic, did attempt to make their dirty raps have some fun, and did actually have some decent rapping skills.)
The flip side to this, however, was that the lady rappers who were genuinely skilled were, unfortunately, frequently ignored, not only by the general public but also the rap community. Salt ‘n’ Pepa (the most successful female rap act) were never given their due (the ladies even challenged radio stations over their first real hit, “Push It”–they noted the single was a million-seller but barely got any airplay at either R&B or pop radio stations) and Queen Latifah was criminally ignored by radio and the public (she was much more successful in her acting ventures, starting with the show “Living Single”, continuing through her turns in Chicago and Hairspray; incidentally, anyone who enjoyed her singing in those two films needs to pick up her last two albums, The Dana Owens Album and Trav’lin’ Light).
Rap, even more than rock, tends to be a “boys’ club–no girls allowed”. At least with rock, women have had genuine success: Wanda Jackson, Brenda Lee, Janis Joplin, the Wilson Sisters of Heart, Pat Benatar, Stevie Nicks, Patti Smith, Chrissie Hynde, Joan Jett, Kate Bush, Melissa Etheridge. All have been able to rock out with the best of the men, and all have influenced later rockers. It is a little odd (perhaps, even ironic) that rap success seems to elude women as women are the ones most commonly thought of as most comfortable with verbal skills and should be naturals at rap (male rappers who can slam twenty clear well-enunciated syllables over a single note receive praise by the truckload; I’m almost certain that a woman doing the same thing would be considered nothing special). Another bizarre thing about rap and women–right now, the most highly praised female rapper is MIA, who’s originally from England but grew up in India and Sri Lanka (where her family’s from), and she’s not really a “rapper” as such.

]]> By: elise http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/7744/the-mozart-effect-and-its-legacy/#comment-1080319 elise Sun, 07 Dec 2008 07:37:13 +0000 http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/?p=7744#comment-1080319 OGG, this isn't the result of a scientific experiment, however it's another observation on the effect of music. I have two parrots, one a conure and the other an amazon. A few years back, I loved Joan Jett And The Blackhearts and played it often. The amazon, Napoleon, drove me crazy squawking when I played that or other rock. My next door neighbor at the time, told me she could tell when I was having my period because I listened to Willie Nelson, Patsy Kline or Billy Holiday and she could hear Napoleon crying. But when I listened to classical, both birds were so quiet. They still react, but I don't listen to rock quite as often or play my "menstruation music" as often anymore either. I kinda like peace and quiet so I pretty much stick with classical. OGG, this isn’t the result of a scientific experiment, however it’s another observation on the effect of music. I have two parrots, one a conure and the other an amazon. A few years back, I loved Joan Jett And The Blackhearts and played it often. The amazon, Napoleon, drove me crazy squawking when I played that or other rock. My next door neighbor at the time, told me she could tell when I was having my period because I listened to Willie Nelson, Patsy Kline or Billy Holiday and she could hear Napoleon crying. But when I listened to classical, both birds were so quiet. They still react, but I don’t listen to rock quite as often or play my “menstruation music” as often anymore either.
I kinda like peace and quiet so I pretty much stick with classical.

]]> By: Old Grumpy Guy http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/7744/the-mozart-effect-and-its-legacy/#comment-1080314 Old Grumpy Guy Sun, 07 Dec 2008 07:31:36 +0000 http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/?p=7744#comment-1080314 There's a lot of HOOEY about There’s a lot of HOOEY about

]]> By: workingclass artist http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/7744/the-mozart-effect-and-its-legacy/#comment-1080297 workingclass artist Sun, 07 Dec 2008 07:14:59 +0000 http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/?p=7744#comment-1080297 Thanks Grump...I agree. Art in many mediums was a staple at our house for my daughter even though we were...Her father is a Musician/Producer and I am a painter. The kid being an only child is remarkably gifted and BROKE OUT on her own as a Writer/Actor and Film maker currently on scholarship. I think it makes a difference for kids to go to museums and concerts and readings and performances. It begins at home...If the parents love the arts and share their enthusiasm then kids will too...My daughter loved debating a film or book or painting from even a very young age because it wasn't about teaching...it was about shared experience together...When Parents are discovering with their children...Children delight in that...imho... BTW...One of my fondest memories is of my daughter ( 6yrs at the time ) scrunching up her face and whispering to me that a Gallery show we were at was HOOEY!...I'll never forget it. I whispered back I think your on to something and we proceeded to the next Gallery on the Gallery walk...It became a secret code word of Art criticism that endures to this day. Thanks Grump…I agree. Art in many mediums was a staple at our house for my daughter even though we were…Her father is a Musician/Producer and I am a painter. The kid being an only child is remarkably gifted and BROKE OUT on her own as a Writer/Actor and Film maker currently on scholarship. I think it makes a difference for kids to go to museums and concerts and readings and performances. It begins at home…If the parents love the arts and share their enthusiasm then kids will too…My daughter loved debating a film or book or painting from even a very young age because it wasn’t about teaching…it was about shared experience together…When Parents are discovering with their children…Children delight in that…imho…
BTW…One of my fondest memories is of my daughter ( 6yrs at the time ) scrunching up her face and whispering to me that a Gallery show we were at was HOOEY!…I’ll never forget it. I whispered back I think your on to something and we proceeded to the next Gallery on the Gallery walk…It became a secret code word of Art criticism that endures to this day.

]]> By: JozefAL http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/7744/the-mozart-effect-and-its-legacy/#comment-1080249 JozefAL Sun, 07 Dec 2008 06:44:24 +0000 http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/?p=7744#comment-1080249 I'd certainly rather hear Aretha singing Ray Charles rather than be subjected to ever hearing her attempt classical music again. She was tapped to fill in for Pavarotti back in 1998 on the Grammy Awards, performing "Nessun Dorma". No. Just no. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koshAexeNpI (A clip from her performing the song at the White House televised on C-Span. Sound quality isn't very good--at times, it sounds as though the audience is busy talking.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0fAwy0upEw (This is the Grammy performance. It's shorter than the previous clip, but sound quality is better.) (For a contrast, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aitB_fqJRc is a clip of Filipina singer Lani Misalucha performing the song. As much as I love Aretha, I'd rather listen to Lani's performance.) I’d certainly rather hear Aretha singing Ray Charles rather than be subjected to ever hearing her attempt classical music again. She was tapped to fill in for Pavarotti back in 1998 on the Grammy Awards, performing “Nessun Dorma”.
No. Just no.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koshAexeNpI (A clip from her performing the song at the White House televised on C-Span. Sound quality isn’t very good–at times, it sounds as though the audience is busy talking.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0fAwy0upEw (This is the Grammy performance. It’s shorter than the previous clip, but sound quality is better.)

(For a contrast, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aitB_fqJRc is a clip of Filipina singer Lani Misalucha performing the song. As much as I love Aretha, I’d rather listen to Lani’s performance.)

]]> By: AnnieCollier http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/7744/the-mozart-effect-and-its-legacy/#comment-1080118 AnnieCollier Sun, 07 Dec 2008 05:04:07 +0000 http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/?p=7744#comment-1080118 Yes Galt. I do understand your point. Thanks for the clarification though. We believe if we tried to keep Rap out of the house, they'd be even more determined to assert that choice. Just give them more exposure to other music. We do draw the line on pornography (not to say that some Rap doesn't qualify) though. My daughter threatened to throw her visiting brother-in-law out of the house and don't ever come back when she saw him with a porn site on his laptop at their desk. She's tiny but powerful. Boundaries. Important. Yes Galt. I do understand your point. Thanks for the clarification though. We believe if we tried to keep Rap out of the house, they’d be even more determined to assert that choice. Just give them more exposure to other music.

We do draw the line on pornography (not to say that some Rap doesn’t qualify) though. My daughter threatened to throw her visiting brother-in-law out of the house and don’t ever come back when she saw him with a porn site on his laptop at their desk. She’s tiny but powerful. Boundaries. Important.

]]> By: Old Grumpy Guy http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/7744/the-mozart-effect-and-its-legacy/#comment-1080102 Old Grumpy Guy Sun, 07 Dec 2008 04:57:05 +0000 http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/?p=7744#comment-1080102 <blockquote>I don’t consider what a parent chooses to expose to their children to as censorship. Sounds wise not to expose them to the rap that denigrates women.</blockquote> I agree

I don’t consider what a parent chooses to expose to their children to as censorship. Sounds wise not to expose them to the rap that denigrates women.

I agree

]]> By: Obama: Dubya II Electric Boogaloo http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/7744/the-mozart-effect-and-its-legacy/#comment-1080087 Obama: Dubya II Electric Boogaloo Sun, 07 Dec 2008 04:42:31 +0000 http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/?p=7744#comment-1080087 Some of the best rock and roll is made with arrogant sneers and misogyny...think Rolling Stones.. Under my Thumb Brown Sugar Honky Tonk Women Starfucker Or how about Stay With Me by the Faces. I mean, look hard enough at any genre of modern music you can find something. Some of the best rock and roll is made with arrogant sneers and misogyny…think Rolling Stones..

Under my Thumb
Brown Sugar
Honky Tonk Women
Starfucker

Or how about Stay With Me by the Faces.

I mean, look hard enough at any genre of modern music you can find something.

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