1. Locate and select a contemporary music video released after January 1, 2000, by any composer / performer that has an easily sharable URL that can be viewed by your classmates. YoutubeLinks to a Original Papers

1. Locate and select a contemporary music video released after January 1, 2000, by any composer / performer that has an easily sharable URL that can be viewed by your classmates.   

• YoutubeLinks to an external site. and SoundcloudLinks to an external site. both have large libraries of easily shareable songs.

2. Carefully listen to your selected song and critically examine its components, style, context, and influence. You may also wish to refer back to the Module 6 Required Online Exploration resources as well as the required pages in your textbook.

3. Do research and find the relevant information. Be sure to properly cite the websites, books, textbook, etc. where you found the information.

Original Discussion/Essay (300 words minimum): 

Part I.  Background information of your chosen song 

1. Include the URL (hyperlink) to your chosen song.
2. Identify the song and artist / band that you chose and provide a brief biography of your chosen artist / band.
3. Describe the artist’s / band’s style of music.
4. Identify at least one musician, band or musical style from the textbook or online exploration that might have influenced your chosen song. (Consider similarities in components, style, and/or context).
5. Indicate how you came to that conclusion and include specific evidence from the text, your research, your online exploration, and your chosen song that supports your arguments.
6. Explain why you chose the song, using your knowledge of musical components, styles, and history

Part II.  Music Analysis

1. Discuss the formal elements of music you hear as you listen to the song (not the lyrics of the song).  How are these elements used to create “meaning”? Be specific.  Don’t just talk in general terms about the music or about the lyrics. (hint:  use time markers when referring to examples from the music).   
2. When you listen to the song, what does it remind you of and what images come to mind when you hear it?
3. How do the formal elements create these images?  Again, I’m not looking for an analysis of the lyrics.  You should focus on the formal qualities of the music.