Shelemay: Article Response

Shelemay, K. K. (2017). Sound: The materials of music. In K.K. Shelemay (Au.). Soundscapes: Exploring Music in a Changing World. Ch.1. Pp. 26-76.  New York: W. W. Norton & Company Inc. ISBN- -10: 0393918289 ISBN-13: 978-0393918281

What interested me?

the thing that interested me the most about this article was how many different instruments were made and created. I found the old instruments fascinating. I never really thought about music in the past as instrumental, only vocal and chants normally come into my mind. But, I realized that the harp and the 8 holed flute were two big instruments that were created in ancient times. It's so nice to see the impact of music, even back in the ancient times.

Were any assumptions you hold challenged?

Definitely, and I'd like to say that I was proved wrong! I was always told in the past that there were no instruments in ancient time and music. I was always told it was just vocals and chants. But, I was proved wrong when I saw the diagrams up in the ancient past. I found it absolutely amazing to see that. Now I know to not be ignorant when it comes to history like this.

What surprised you?

As I said before, the thing that surprised me the most was the different instruments dating back to ancient times and culture. I found it extremely interesting to see the diagrams and the development of these instruments in the article. It's amazing to see how much technology has developed to create all of these new instruments, that were originally based off the ones people played in ancient Egypt, Greece or Rome, and many other places.

What frustrated you?

To be honest, I'm frustrated about not being frustrated by anything in this article. I found it to be a good read, and really exciting. I agreed pretty much 100% with the author. It was nice to be educated rather than frustrated.

What would you like to say to the author and why?

I would love the author to explain more about the different cultures of music. Rather than just mentioning that there are many cultures in music, he could explain more about the different cultures of music and how they're used around the world. I tend to find the topic of music in culture very interesting to me, and I feel that if Shelemay explained or showed examples of music in different cultures, I would be much happier. Although he does explain a couple of the cultures, I feel that he gets almost too philosophical. I would love something that is straight to the point, but also gets me thinking.