Introduction

  Yo-Yo Ma's journey began when he was born on 1955, in France. When he became four, his family moved to New York where he started his musical studies. When he was still a pre teen, he studied at the Juilliard school, which is a very prestigious liberal arts school. He then later transferred to Harvard at the age of 16 to get his degree in humanities. While he is considered a classical musician, he tried out American bluegrass, traditional Chinese, and  Baroque pieces.  Throughout his very successful career  he has a discography of more than 120 albums.  Over the span of his life , "h e has received numerous awards, including the Avery Fisher Prize (1978), the National Medal of the Arts (2001), the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2010), Kennedy Center Honors (2011), the Polar Music Prize (2012), and the Birgit Nilsson Prize (2022)," ( Yo-Yo Ma Biography, 5).  The original composer of Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, Prélude was Johann Sebastian Bach, written around 1717–1723

I’ve always enjoyed American folk music, and since a lot of my families heritage is from Norway, I decided to explore traditional Norwegian music. Norway's traditional folk displays the unique culture and daily lives of its people. Discovering this personal side of Norway has given me a new appreciation for this culture.  Traditional Norwegian music has been around for hundreds of years, but there is not very much written works from before the 1840s. The music includes folk dances like Bygdeand that are often performed in ceremonial settings, showcasing couple routines. The dance melodies typically use three-beat or two-beat rhythms, which are tied to weddings, funerals, and festivities such as Christmas. These traditional dances generally lasted longer in more rural farm communities where it was pasted on throughout generations.  This music is primarily categorized into North Germanic and Sami styles. North Germanic music is typically ballads known as kvad. Ballads are generally s

The theremin is one of the strangest instruments that does not even involve physical contact.  It produces eerie sounds that have been heard in various horror movies as well as some experimental rock. The instrument uses radio waves to produce a unique sound. I have heard its chilling sound in a couple of horror and sci-fi films, and I have always found its sound to be quite fascinating.  "The theremin was invented around 1920 by Russian physicist Lev Sergeyevich Termen – commonly known later as Léon Theremin." (Miller 9).   While he was researching radio waves and sensors for a government project, he accidentally created the instrument.  He found that by moving his hands near two metal antennas, he could control pitch and volume through electromagnetic waves. This remarkable discovery made him see the potential for it to be used in music. The original theremin had two antennas. One of the antennas controlled the pitch of the instrument, while the other controlled the volume.

  Released on September 25th, 2020 in Canada, "Just Like Leaving" by Bella White is a bluegrass Americana song that captures the heartache and bittersweet moments of relationships and being able to move on. This has been one of my favorite songs the last couple of years and it has introduced me to more twangy music. The song follows a slow beat with a 3/4 time signature. This beat gives the song a more gentle, swaying sound that raises the listeners experience. It also allows for Bella White to fully draw out her words, which in turn adds more emotion to the song. The lingering sound gives listeners the space to connect deeply with the song's melancholy theme. The timbre of "Just Like Leaving" is warm and natural, featuring acoustic guitar, mandolin, fiddle, and upright bass. Bella White's fingerpicking creates a detailed base for the rhythm of the song, while the fiddle adds an endearing touch. The mandolin brings bright accents that help lift up the song&#

"American Pie," released in 1971 by Don McLean, is a folk rock classic that captures the American culture of the 1950s and 1960s. Growing up, my dad and I would listen to this song on road trips we took together, enjoying its great storytelling, so it holds a special place in my heart.  "American Pie" primarily follows a moderate tempo in 4/4 time, which gives it a steady and flowing feel. The song combines elements of folk and rock,  featuring a mix of acoustic guitar, piano, and drums that provide a consistent beat throughout the song. It starts slower and more reflective during the intro and verses, with a folk-like pace. However, the tempo picks up significantly in the chorus, giving it a more lively, rock feel. This fluctuation between slower verses and faster, energetic choruses displays innovation for its time.  Along with the tempo, the timbre is constantly changing. The vocals shift from soft in the verses to heavy throughout the chorus. The guitar gives of

Hey everyone! My name is Ryder Skaaren, and I am looking forward to learn more about you all as this semester progresses. I grew up in the small town of Hope, Alaska and am now entering my second year of college here at UAF. I like to spend my free time playing tennis and disc golf while soaking up the sun. My current goal is to graduate with a civil engineering degree to focus on the design of road systems.  Picture from my hometown I developed a love for music at a very young age when listening to Munford and Sons with my dad. I listened to a lot of folk music when I was young and then slowly switched to mainly listening to alternative and rock music. As of recently, I listen to music in all genres and am trying to experiment with new tastes that I am not accustomed to. I never learned to play an instrument, but have always wanted to learn to play the piano. I hope to learn as much as I can this semester and continue to develop my love for music! Here are some of my favorite songs ov