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'Sounds of Self.edited

The document explores the author's personal journey through musical preferences, highlighting a deep appreciation for R&B and its emotional resonance, while expressing a dislike for country music due to its perceived monotony. The author also reflects on the potential for changing musical tastes and the fluidity of identity associated with exploring new genres, such as reggae. Ultimately, the piece emphasizes the multifaceted relationship individuals have with music and its ability to evoke personal and cultural connections.

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joywabuna
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11 views

'Sounds of Self.edited

The document explores the author's personal journey through musical preferences, highlighting a deep appreciation for R&B and its emotional resonance, while expressing a dislike for country music due to its perceived monotony. The author also reflects on the potential for changing musical tastes and the fluidity of identity associated with exploring new genres, such as reggae. Ultimately, the piece emphasizes the multifaceted relationship individuals have with music and its ability to evoke personal and cultural connections.

Uploaded by

joywabuna
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Sounds of Self: My Journey Through Musical Preference and Perspective

Student Name

Lecturer Name

University

Course

Date
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Sounds of Self: My Journey Through Musical Preference and Perspective

Music is more than entertainment; it’s a language of emotion, identity, and memory. Just

as a passport to different cultures and inner worlds, music acquaints us with what excites others

and, at times, what excites us. In this case, one of the many genres that I am most struck by is

R&B.

Music I Admire and Enjoy: R&B

I have always been a fan of Rhythm and Blues (R&B). It can be seen that this type of

music has rich harmonic structures and powerful vocals, steady rhythmic patterns, and honest

lyrics that touch the heart and soul. H.E.R., Daniel Caesar, and SZA harmonize their melodies

with narrations that portray the positives of the black experience through themes of love, self-

growth, and strength. This type of music is a blend of jazz, gospel, hip hop, and funk and,

therefore, is a cross-generational and cross-cultural type of music. This is further enhanced by

the use of elements of syncopation, vocal runs, and dynamics, which makes the R&B feel

personal and liberating.

Helping a Friend Appreciate R&B

If I had a friend who despised R&B, The first thing that I would want to know is why

they hate it. Is it the slow tempo? The romantic themes? Maybe they consider the genre to be

old-fashioned, or they have bad memories connected with the genre. I'd tell them to listen to

contemporary R&B artists that incorporate hip-hop or electronic elements and suggest a song

like Daniel Caesar's "Get You" or H.E.R's "Focus." I would add that R&B is not only about love

and sex but also about a woman's independence, loneliness, and self-discovery. I may even have

to take them through a live demonstration to emphasize vocal production and musicality. Music

videos or Tiny Desk Concert can bring back the human element into the genre and make it more
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accessible. Yes, I am willing to listen to that, even if they didn't like my favorite genre, because I

may learn from their point of view, and their reasons for not liking that genre may shed light on

aspects that I was not aware of before.

Music I Dislike: Country

I have tried to listen to country music quite frequently, but I still do not like it. The shrill

guitars, monotonous riffs, and constant usage of cliches as materialism, such as pick-ups, beer,

and all things country, don't appeal to me. Though I do admire the narrative side of things, which

is always a strong point in the country, I believe the music and the singing are too standard for

me. However, there is some sense in hating a certain genre, as it makes the choice of preferences

much more specific. Still, if a friend who loves country sat me with songs that twist the tropes,

maybe the current Kacey Musgraves or Chris Stapleton kind of country, I would be willing to

give it another go. It is important to remember that appreciation is sometimes made from context

and familiarity.

Music I’d Probably Dislike: Folk

Since I am not very acquainted with folk music, I think I would have a lot of difficulty

relating to it. My assumption stems from the fact that the musical arrangements are generally not

complex, the tempos of the performances are often slow, and the singing does not deviate from a

straightforward narrative style. I feel that the music will have many acoustic guitar, harmonica,

and soft voice parts, which I always connect with non-vivid movements. If I go listening with

such expectations, it may turn out to be a self-fulfilling prophesy on my part.

Music I’d Probably Like: Reggae

One music genre that I have been wanting to delve into is reggae. I have always been

interested in the culture of it and its themes of peace, rebellion, and percussion. Based on what I
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listened to in "Pressure Drop" by Toots and the Maytals, my hypothesis was right. The joyful

mood, unusual time signatures, and groovy feel contributed to positive emotions and a sense of

perseverance that one can associate with rest and progress. The lyrics were quite basic, but they

had a cultural meaning for the African people. This made me curious to listen to more of the

classics and contemporary reggae music by artists such as Bob Marley and Protoje. It's as if the

genre is a music box, an auditory experience that calms the soul and gives strength at the same

time.

Optional Reflection: Genre and Identity Fluidity

Realizing a new genre and getting hooked on it is very much like adopting a new

perspective on life. It is very much like converting to a new religion or even switching from one

political party to another; it entails a change in beliefs, preferences, and, in some cases, the self.

If a person who has been a fan of hip-hop one day finds himself in love with classical music, he

might change his mind and try to look at the world from a different perspective and listen to

beauty in a different way. As it is seen in the industry today, artists release songs that can now not

be classified under a single genre just as there is a breaking down of gender boundaries and

categorizations in other facets of life. As in race, sexuality, and culture, people are finding more

intersectionality; similar is the case with music, where experience counts more than a label.

Conclusion

People's interaction with music is multifaceted, intimate, and may even be therapeutic.

Thus, in R&B, I am able to express myself and be in touch with my feelings, as well as the

tradition of Black music. Through my aversion to country, I better understand my aesthetic

preferences. Thus, I am open to embracing change by being curious about reggae and skeptical

about folk. People associate music genres with certain types of music and moods, but there is no
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need to stick to these genres: Every time we experiment with a new sound, we draw new

boundaries of what reverberates in us and, perhaps, in us as well.

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