Oh Praise God. I'm done with my final composition for Ethno163. I'm pretty happy with the product. It's still sketchy and needs a lot of work. I'm thinking of expanding it in to a chamber ensemble piece. Not sure yet. I played around with Finale as much as possible (until I got exhausted) to add some articulation and dynamics. The Garritan Instrumental sounds are quite impressive. Not bad at all. Let me know what you think is good, bad, needs improvement, etc.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
A Hold on the Kpop...Let's talk Jazz
So...I decided to put a hold on the kpop music. So far, all I've been doing this week is burying my head inside my psychology and anatomy books for a final on Friday and then a huge exam on Saturday. I'm not the type that can study hardcore with loud music blasting out or with the television on. And anything with vocals and lyrics...no can do. So I looked through my itunes library and was torn between classical or jazz. For some reason tonight, I felt like studying along Red Garland's Piano. I listened to the album "Groovy" and "Red Garland's Piano" I'm not a HUGE jazz enthusiast but I do enjoy listening to it and "attempting" to play some of it or at least incorporate it into my music.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
My Ultimate Guilty Pleasure: Korean Pop Music Part 2
Part 2 of My Ultimate Guilty Pleasure: Korean Pop Music is about the GIRL GROUPS. Today, I will focus one of the two, maybe three (depending on time), most popular and influential girl groups of South Korea.
1. WONDER GIRLS- The Wonder Girls was formed and is produced by JYP (same as 2PM). To be honest, I'm not a big wonder girls fan but they are extremely popular not only among asians. Last year, they stepped in the United States with english versions of their smash hits back in their native land. In fact, the 5 gals opened up for the Jonas Brothers' tour!!!!!
Last year, they even made their debut in US Television on The Wendy Williams Shows. Check it out below. Their english is not bad at all...all of them were born and raised in Korea! These girls enrolled in english academies in NYC, where one of JYP's offices are located.
Guys, brace your self. Here's a clip of their song "So Hot". This music video was shown during one of my ethnomusicology classes last year. Many of my classmates who were born and raise in the United States, having no to very limited exposure to Asian pop culture, were very shocked by the level of sexuality and similarity to the pop music storming the United States. What do you think?
My favorite Korean girl group is 소녀시대. Sorry for those who can't read Korean. They are also called Girl's Generation. This pop sensation is made up of 9 girls. These girls make the male population in Korea GO CRAZY. As weird as it sounds, elementary school boys to old grandpas all love Girl's Generation. In the states we have the "All American Girl", these gals are have that kind of title of Korea or heck, all of Asia.
Here's a video clip of their SMASH HIT "GEE".
THEY ETHNOMUSICOLOGISTS! The music video for their song "Tell Me Your Wish" features the TABLA in the beginning. NEAT or...offensive?!
There are plenty of other pop girl groups in Korea but these two are definitely at the TOP of the game. Next entry I will talk about the extent of influence these celebrities have in the people of Korea. There are both pros and cons. I have included a video bar, a fun poll, and links to some websites. Enjoy!
1. WONDER GIRLS- The Wonder Girls was formed and is produced by JYP (same as 2PM). To be honest, I'm not a big wonder girls fan but they are extremely popular not only among asians. Last year, they stepped in the United States with english versions of their smash hits back in their native land. In fact, the 5 gals opened up for the Jonas Brothers' tour!!!!!
Last year, they even made their debut in US Television on The Wendy Williams Shows. Check it out below. Their english is not bad at all...all of them were born and raised in Korea! These girls enrolled in english academies in NYC, where one of JYP's offices are located.
Guys, brace your self. Here's a clip of their song "So Hot". This music video was shown during one of my ethnomusicology classes last year. Many of my classmates who were born and raise in the United States, having no to very limited exposure to Asian pop culture, were very shocked by the level of sexuality and similarity to the pop music storming the United States. What do you think?
My favorite Korean girl group is 소녀시대. Sorry for those who can't read Korean. They are also called Girl's Generation. This pop sensation is made up of 9 girls. These girls make the male population in Korea GO CRAZY. As weird as it sounds, elementary school boys to old grandpas all love Girl's Generation. In the states we have the "All American Girl", these gals are have that kind of title of Korea or heck, all of Asia.
Here's a video clip of their SMASH HIT "GEE".
THEY ETHNOMUSICOLOGISTS! The music video for their song "Tell Me Your Wish" features the TABLA in the beginning. NEAT or...offensive?!
There are plenty of other pop girl groups in Korea but these two are definitely at the TOP of the game. Next entry I will talk about the extent of influence these celebrities have in the people of Korea. There are both pros and cons. I have included a video bar, a fun poll, and links to some websites. Enjoy!
Friday, February 26, 2010
My Ultimate Guilty Pleasure: Korean Pop Music PART 1
The title tells it all. For the next week, I'm going to write about my ULTIMATE guilty pleasure in not just my music tastes, but heck, life! The undeniably catchy and highly addictive Korean pop culture...particularly music. Although I will mostly concentrate on music, unlike America, most Korean artists are bind to acting, emceeing/hosting variety shows, CF (commercial film), modeling, and endorsements arranged by their label. This is a trend that is vastly growing among Asian countries.
I'll start off with the boy-band craze. Ahh yes, remember the good ole' days of Backstreet boys, LFO, and N'sync? Well Korea is yet to get past the stage of boy bands.
1. SUPER JUNIOR- A 13, YES, 13 member boy band!One is missing in the following video, because one of the members were busy with a role in a movie. This is their smash hit "Sorry Sorry", choreographed by Nick Bass who has worked with Justin Timberlake and Usher.
2. 2PM- Every 13 year old girl in Korea dreams about these boys. 2PM is different from Super Junior because they are a bit more "westernized". 3 out of the 7 members grew up from the United States and are actually MUCH more comfortable in speaking English.
Here is a clip of 2 members, Jaebeom and Nick Khun, singing a cover of Usher's Confessions...
Members of both Super Junior and 2pm have been trained since their pre-teen years. Basically, they leave their parents and family (their home) and live in a dorm with other trainees. Training, which typically lasts 2 years minimum, consists of dance, singing, acting, and a whole lot of plastic surgery <----that's one topic that I can write a Ph.D thesis paper on!
Ok that's all for today. I don't know how those pro bloggers do this everyday. There is SO MUCH MORE I can talk about. But I really gotta hit the books. Next blog post will be about the Girl groups that make every girl in Korea running to plastic surgeons and go on the "corn diet". It's a love and hate relationship.
I'll start off with the boy-band craze. Ahh yes, remember the good ole' days of Backstreet boys, LFO, and N'sync? Well Korea is yet to get past the stage of boy bands.
1. SUPER JUNIOR- A 13, YES, 13 member boy band!One is missing in the following video, because one of the members were busy with a role in a movie. This is their smash hit "Sorry Sorry", choreographed by Nick Bass who has worked with Justin Timberlake and Usher.
2. 2PM- Every 13 year old girl in Korea dreams about these boys. 2PM is different from Super Junior because they are a bit more "westernized". 3 out of the 7 members grew up from the United States and are actually MUCH more comfortable in speaking English.
Here is a clip of 2 members, Jaebeom and Nick Khun, singing a cover of Usher's Confessions...
Members of both Super Junior and 2pm have been trained since their pre-teen years. Basically, they leave their parents and family (their home) and live in a dorm with other trainees. Training, which typically lasts 2 years minimum, consists of dance, singing, acting, and a whole lot of plastic surgery <----that's one topic that I can write a Ph.D thesis paper on!
Ok that's all for today. I don't know how those pro bloggers do this everyday. There is SO MUCH MORE I can talk about. But I really gotta hit the books. Next blog post will be about the Girl groups that make every girl in Korea running to plastic surgeons and go on the "corn diet". It's a love and hate relationship.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
HASOM Students with something else in mind...
Since I was a kid, I knew that music was going to be a part of my life forever. In high school and even until last year, I had my eyes set on a career in music--whether it be a music teacher, free lance performer or composer. But after some "soul-searching", I recently made a big decision to pursue nursing as a career. This decision sparked an interest and curiosity as to why other students in the Herb Alpert School of Music at UCLA, who are studying music, ethnomusicology, music history, are pursuing a profession outside of music. Therefore, I went on a search for such students to ask a few questions about their selection of undergraduate studies and prospective careers.
SONALI SHETH
1) What is your major and primary instrument/concentration?
Ethnomusicology, Sitar
2) What year are you in your undergraduate studies?
4th year
3) What profession outside of music are you pursing?
Medicine/Public health
4) When did you decide to become an ethnomusicology/music/musicology/music history major?
I entered as an ethnomusicology major with the plan to pursue medicine, hoping to do both but always making medicine a priority
5)Why did you decide to pursue an undergraduate degree in ethno/music/musicology instead of an area that is “common” or “more practical” for your future profession?
Because I thought it would be a good way for me to maintain my passion in music, stay balanced and become well rounded as a person
6) What are the “pros” and “cons” of studying at HASOM instead of the college of letters of science, as to someone who is
I have less access to premed counseling. Less opportunities in academics like being an honors student, etc.
7) Do you plan to incorporate music into your future career? If yes, how so? If no, why not?
I think I will maintain music as my side hobby. If I do incorporate it, it will be used for fundraising, publicity, etc.
JI-WON KIM (myself)
1) What is your major and primary instrument/concentration?
Ethnomusicology, composition
2) What year are you in your undergraduate studies?
3rd year
3) What profession outside of music are you pursing?
Nursing (Registered Nurse and eventually Nurse Practitioner)
4) When did you decide to become an ethnomusicology/music/musicology/music history major?
I auditioned for the ethnomusicology department during my senior year of high school. So I started at UCLA as an ethnomusicology major.
5)Why did you decide to pursue an undergraduate degree in ethno/music/musicology instead of an area that is “common” or “more practical” for your future profession?
Well, I had originally wanted to pursue a career in music. However, after some serious thinking and consulting with mentors, I came to a conclusion that I can finish my undergraduate studies in music (which I very much enjoy by the way) and afterward go into nursing school. Nursing is a very practical career yet effective with a lot of flexibility. I plan to serve in my church's music ministry and compose, song write, and arrange on my days off.
6) What are the “pros” and “cons” of studying at HASOM instead of the college of letters of science, as to someone who is
Trying to take pre-requisites for nursing school, which are mostly science classes in the college of letters of science, on top of my music classes is tough. It's definitely a give and take. I have to sacrifice some music classes that interest me, in order to take let's say an anatomy class because of schedule conflicts and heavy workload.
7) Do you plan to incorporate music into your future career? If yes, how so? If no, why not?
Definitely! I am actually going to start volunteering at UCLA Hospital's Music Therapy Program, which is relatively new. I serve in my church's praise team as pianist and arranger. Music will definitely be a big part of my life forever.
I'm still in search for more students in the school who are in the same boat as Sonali and me to answer these questions!
SONALI SHETH
1) What is your major and primary instrument/concentration?
Ethnomusicology, Sitar
2) What year are you in your undergraduate studies?
4th year
3) What profession outside of music are you pursing?
Medicine/Public health
4) When did you decide to become an ethnomusicology/music/musicology/music history major?
I entered as an ethnomusicology major with the plan to pursue medicine, hoping to do both but always making medicine a priority
5)Why did you decide to pursue an undergraduate degree in ethno/music/musicology instead of an area that is “common” or “more practical” for your future profession?
Because I thought it would be a good way for me to maintain my passion in music, stay balanced and become well rounded as a person
6) What are the “pros” and “cons” of studying at HASOM instead of the college of letters of science, as to someone who is
I have less access to premed counseling. Less opportunities in academics like being an honors student, etc.
7) Do you plan to incorporate music into your future career? If yes, how so? If no, why not?
I think I will maintain music as my side hobby. If I do incorporate it, it will be used for fundraising, publicity, etc.
JI-WON KIM (myself)
1) What is your major and primary instrument/concentration?
Ethnomusicology, composition
2) What year are you in your undergraduate studies?
3rd year
3) What profession outside of music are you pursing?
Nursing (Registered Nurse and eventually Nurse Practitioner)
4) When did you decide to become an ethnomusicology/music/musicology/music history major?
I auditioned for the ethnomusicology department during my senior year of high school. So I started at UCLA as an ethnomusicology major.
5)Why did you decide to pursue an undergraduate degree in ethno/music/musicology instead of an area that is “common” or “more practical” for your future profession?
Well, I had originally wanted to pursue a career in music. However, after some serious thinking and consulting with mentors, I came to a conclusion that I can finish my undergraduate studies in music (which I very much enjoy by the way) and afterward go into nursing school. Nursing is a very practical career yet effective with a lot of flexibility. I plan to serve in my church's music ministry and compose, song write, and arrange on my days off.
6) What are the “pros” and “cons” of studying at HASOM instead of the college of letters of science, as to someone who is
Trying to take pre-requisites for nursing school, which are mostly science classes in the college of letters of science, on top of my music classes is tough. It's definitely a give and take. I have to sacrifice some music classes that interest me, in order to take let's say an anatomy class because of schedule conflicts and heavy workload.
7) Do you plan to incorporate music into your future career? If yes, how so? If no, why not?
Definitely! I am actually going to start volunteering at UCLA Hospital's Music Therapy Program, which is relatively new. I serve in my church's praise team as pianist and arranger. Music will definitely be a big part of my life forever.
I'm still in search for more students in the school who are in the same boat as Sonali and me to answer these questions!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Podcast!
Podcast will be great for any musician because they can upload their music for the rest of the world to download with just one click. I have composed and in the process of composing pieces for class and just for my own enjoyment. I would like to upload files of these pieces and share with my family and friends. And who knows? People that I do not know may also take a listen!
Creating audio files to upload as podcasts is super easy for me. As a Mac user (I also use PC... I don't hate on PCs!), I create audio files all the time through Garageband. This program has an option to send the file in AIFF format to itunes. Then on itunes, I can convert the AIFF file to an MP3 file! It doesn't get any easier than that.
The only downside to creating my own podcasts is the lack of equipment. I don't have a mic or a high-end program like Protools. I have a digital keyboard that will enable me to connect as a midi track unto garageband and finale, which I can "record" my music into. However, the sound isn't authentic since I'm a broke college student who cannot afford instrumental tracks for garageband. -_- I hope all this music talk isn't confusing the heck out of people.
Well, I look forward to posting up some podcasts of ramblings of my life and/or more interestingly, my music.
By the way, has anyone gotten a root canal done before? I know this is TOTALLY random, but I'm getting one for my excruciatingly painful tooth on March 2nd. Please, someone assure me that it does not hurt. :(
Creating audio files to upload as podcasts is super easy for me. As a Mac user (I also use PC... I don't hate on PCs!), I create audio files all the time through Garageband. This program has an option to send the file in AIFF format to itunes. Then on itunes, I can convert the AIFF file to an MP3 file! It doesn't get any easier than that.
The only downside to creating my own podcasts is the lack of equipment. I don't have a mic or a high-end program like Protools. I have a digital keyboard that will enable me to connect as a midi track unto garageband and finale, which I can "record" my music into. However, the sound isn't authentic since I'm a broke college student who cannot afford instrumental tracks for garageband. -_- I hope all this music talk isn't confusing the heck out of people.
Well, I look forward to posting up some podcasts of ramblings of my life and/or more interestingly, my music.
By the way, has anyone gotten a root canal done before? I know this is TOTALLY random, but I'm getting one for my excruciatingly painful tooth on March 2nd. Please, someone assure me that it does not hurt. :(
Monday, February 8, 2010
Flickr Slideshow
I have my Flickr slideshow up! Let me explain some of the pictures.
I visited my cousins in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada back in September. The pictures of the buildings were taken there. Saint John is a small city and is not very developed like Los Angeles at all. However, they had two or three beautiful churches that I captured on my phone camera.
By the way, these pictures are all taken form my phone camera. I don't have a digital camera :( I wish I did.
The other pictures are of the Holiday Bake-a-thon that took place in my kitchen at home! Let's just say that...baking hundreds of cookies took long but delicious hours. I pretty much baked for an entire day. These were packaged, wrapped nicely and handed out as gifts to my friends and family. Oh here's a picture that's not in the slide show. The final product! Ta-da!
Whew, after a long day of class...I am wiped out. I'm going to take a nap now.
I visited my cousins in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada back in September. The pictures of the buildings were taken there. Saint John is a small city and is not very developed like Los Angeles at all. However, they had two or three beautiful churches that I captured on my phone camera.
By the way, these pictures are all taken form my phone camera. I don't have a digital camera :( I wish I did.
The other pictures are of the Holiday Bake-a-thon that took place in my kitchen at home! Let's just say that...baking hundreds of cookies took long but delicious hours. I pretty much baked for an entire day. These were packaged, wrapped nicely and handed out as gifts to my friends and family. Oh here's a picture that's not in the slide show. The final product! Ta-da!
Whew, after a long day of class...I am wiped out. I'm going to take a nap now.
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