Analysis of Music

Analysis of Music

Felix A. Cruz

HU/300-16 – Arts and Humanities: 20th Century and Beyond

June 12, 2012

Professor: Marek McKenna, MA

1. What music do you associate with childhood? How did/does this music make you feel? How do your choices reflect your childhood experiences?

As a child growing up as a military dependent our house was always filled with music. You see, I had the opportunity to travel all around the world at various military base installations and listen to the types of music being played in those regions. My father was a country and western music fan and listened to songs from the "Big Band" era. Songs from the Tommy Dorsey band, Glenn Miller and Count Basie fill my memories and are associated with just about everything I can remember about my early years. I remember countless evenings when my dad would play his records in the living room and play songs from the 1940's and 50's until I just couldn't keep my eyes or ears open anymore. The sounds of those records playing and my dad’s laughter made me feel happy and secure knowing that there were plenty of people (adults) around and that I wasn't alone and to this day I still get that feeling when I hear the sounds of the Big Bands. I immediately get mental images of the old base housing units and the solid wood floors carrying the joyful sounds all the way down the hall to my bedroom.

2.  What music do you associate with adolescence? Was this music a way to fit in or rebel?

When I advanced into my adolescent years, I discovered top 40 radio and records. Bands like Beatles, Aerosmith, Credence Clearwater Rival and Led Zeppelin were usually blasting from my bedroom much to my parents chagrin. I gravitated toward this music because of the power of the music. It was loud, proud and aggressive music and all the musicians looked cool and had the "party" lifestyle I wanted as a teenager. This was the period in my life when music had its greatest impact on me....