Mus 241 Listening Journal Instructions And Template Fall 201
Mus 241 Listening Journal Instructions And Templatefall 2018listening
Write a weekly listening journal for MUS 241, including a descriptive and reflective analysis of one assigned song each week. The journal must include specific information about the song and a detailed breakdown of its form, instrumentation, lyrics, and your personal reflections. Each journal is part of your grade, with 12 due throughout the semester, and must be submitted on time via Blackboard. No late submissions are accepted. Use the provided template to organize your journal entries, covering your thoughts on the song's meaning, what makes it memorable, its emotional impact, and the detailed sectional breakdown of the music.
Paper For Above instruction
In the Music 241 course, listening journals serve as a critical tool for developing an understanding of musical elements through active listening and analysis. Each student is responsible for submitting twelve journals across the semester, each focused on one song from the weekly-required listening list. These journals are vital not only for grading purposes but also for honing listening skills, encouraging students to connect musical sounds with their thematic content and personal experiences.
The core of each journal involves both descriptive and reflective writing. Students are expected to describe the musical piece in detail, covering aspects such as instrumentation, lyrics, mood, style, and form, and then reflect on their personal reactions, connections, and interpretations. This process cultivates an attentive listening practice, enabling students to understand music beyond surface-level enjoyment and develop analytical skills.
The structure of the journal is guided by a detailed template. First, basic information about the song must be recorded: the title, artist, release date, and album. Then, in the reflection section, students analyze what they hear: the mood of the song, thematic content of the lyrics, elements that make the song memorable or distinctive, and how it affects them emotionally. They are encouraged to consider the song’s message and its potential impact on different audiences or societal contexts.
The second part of the journal involves a sectional breakdown of the song’s form, specifying the start and end times of each segment—introduction, verses, choruses, bridges, instrumental sections—and describing what occurs in each section, especially changes in instrumentation, lyrical content, and dynamics. This detailed analysis helps students recognize musical structure and compositional techniques, deepening their listening skills and understanding of musical form.
Adherence to the submission deadline is essential; late or emailed journals are not accepted, emphasizing the importance of time management and attendance in the course. The journal’s total contribution to the final grade underscores its significance in fostering a disciplined, attentive approach to musical listening, which is fundamental in a music appreciation class like MUS 241.
References
- Benward, B., & Saker, M. (2016). Music: In Theory and Practice (10th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
- Lehman, C. (2018). Listening to Music (8th ed.). Cengage Learning.
- Cook, N. (1998). Music: A very short introduction. Oxford University Press.
- Burnham, S. (2017). Music, Value, and the Science of Musical Aesthetics. Routledge.
- Gambini, M., & Hallam, S. (2017). Engaging with Music and Musical Instruments in Education. Routledge.
- Small, C. (1998). Musicking: The Meanings of Performing and Listening. Wesleyan University Press.
- Gioia, T. (2011). Music: A Listener's Guide (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.
- Moore, J. (2017). The Musician's Guide to Theory and Analysis. W. W. Norton & Company.
- Robinson, J. (2016). Critical Listening Techniques. Routledge.
- Jones, L. (2014). The Musical Experience: A Guide to Listening and Understanding. Routledge.