Monday, April 18, 2005
Day 1
Thus far I have only read five chapters, but I recognize already that this book is going to be fabulous. Please purchase it at your local bookstore, online, or check it out at the library and join in the discussion at your leisure. I hope to hear everyone’s comments.
Day 1 p. 1-24
Chapter 1
Vocabulary Words:
Concatenation: to connect or link in a series or chain
Inchoate: imperfectly formed or developed
Paradigm: a set of assumptions, concepts, values, practices that constitute a way of viewing reality for those that share them
Concomitant: one that exists concurrently with another
Flagrant: conspicuously bad, offensive
Egregiousness: same as above
Dichotomy: division into two contradictary parts
Grist: something that can be used to advantage
Questions:
What is your opinion regarding Eger’s metaphor for the universe as a “cosmic orchestra?” (p. 4)
Eger writes that “not only is the universe made of music, it is music.” What is your reaction to this statement? Do you think this idea is realistic or lofty thus far? (p. 7)
Chapter 2
Wheedle: To use flattery or cajolery to achieve one's ends.
Dour: Marked by sternness or harshness; forbidding
Brusquely: Abrupt and curt in manner or speech; discourteously blunt
Surmised: To infer (something) without sufficiently conclusive evidence
Inveterate: Firmly and long established; deep-rooted
Amorphous: Lacking definite form; shapeless
Disparity: The condition or fact of being unequal
Contention: A striving to win in competition
Repudiated: To reject the validity or authority of
Canard: An unfounded or false, deliberately misleading story
How does Eger believe music can affect positive social change (p. 11)?
What exactly does he mean in saying “What music could have helped accomplish, politics destroyed?” (p. 14)
Chapter 3
Subversive: especially intended to overthrow or undermine an established government
Pacifism: The belief that disputes between nations should and can be settled peacefully
Sectarian: Narrow-minded
Do you agree/disagree with Einstein’s quote: “The world is a dangerous place to live in not because of those who do evil, but because of those who watch and let it happen?” Why or why not? (p. 17)
Chapter 4
Naif: Variants of naive
Tenuous: Having little substance
Cacophony: Jarring, discordant sound; dissonance
Tantamount: Equivalent in effect or value
Intoning: To recite in a singing tone
Surreptitiously: Obtained, done, or made by clandestine or stealthy means
Have you ever had a tramatizing event affect your life in a way to change your whole perception of the world? Do you think that because of this event you became a better person or in the end some positive change occurred in your life? Please share your experiences (Feel free to post anonymous on this one). (p. 21-22)
Chapter 5
Abstruse: Difficult to understand
Why do you think it is so difficult for musicians to make a living being ‘professional musicians.” (p. 25)
- posted by Muse @ 2:59 PM
Comments:
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1. Personally I think it is really cool that one could think of an orchestra as a model for the universe. I have heard this term used before on a program from Channel 9, which is partially why I was hooked into “String Theory” to begin with.
2. Again I find the idea to awesome considering that I myself am a musician. It coincides with String Theory in that the smallest ‘things’ in the universe are tiny strands or vibrations. It’s hard for me to accept the idea, however, that we as people are merely an individually unique combination of these vibrations.
3. Music is the universal language. The stories that he illustrates for us, I believe help to support this notion. Music affects at a very core or deep level. It can take you anywhere from dancing with friends, to the releasing of pent up emotions that have no other means for expression.
4. Eger implies that people can unite through music to obtain a common goal. He uses a story to point out that two people in an orchestra might not get along, but because of their dedication and love to music, they are united towards making music together.
5. I agree with this statement because if we all ‘sat around and did nothing,’ positive change would not occur in life. When I think of the answer to this question, I think of the Holocaust and all the survival stories of people going against all odds, and the countries in the war also assisting to affect change.
6. Who hasn’t? I think that God brings trials and tribulations in our lives to make us stronger people and to bring us closer to Him. Perhaps without these troubles, we would go about doing the same negative activities, and change would be minimal at best. Perhaps my trials with vocal concerns in college, was God’s way of making me a stronger musician. I learned to be more self-confident, and that my lack thereof was somewhat part of the issue. I also learned to be more expressive and was forced to come out from under the shell I was hiding in with my emotions. I realized this was the reason why many vocalists are typically extroverted. In order to be successful, we must become the character of the piece and express the emotions the character is going through to really convey the true meaning of the piece.
7. I think it is difficult because some people consider music an “extra” rather than essential as a means of expressing emotions otherwise left pent up within us. Most people do not realize the benefits of music in their lives, and perhaps take it for granted. I could go on with a myriad of studies and statistics which show the importance of music education for students today. Also since music, especially singing (in my opinion), is within us all, there is more competition between artists and musicians. Most people I know have a ‘day job’ or teach music in addition to performing it to support themselves. That’s just the way the cookie crumbles.
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2. Again I find the idea to awesome considering that I myself am a musician. It coincides with String Theory in that the smallest ‘things’ in the universe are tiny strands or vibrations. It’s hard for me to accept the idea, however, that we as people are merely an individually unique combination of these vibrations.
3. Music is the universal language. The stories that he illustrates for us, I believe help to support this notion. Music affects at a very core or deep level. It can take you anywhere from dancing with friends, to the releasing of pent up emotions that have no other means for expression.
4. Eger implies that people can unite through music to obtain a common goal. He uses a story to point out that two people in an orchestra might not get along, but because of their dedication and love to music, they are united towards making music together.
5. I agree with this statement because if we all ‘sat around and did nothing,’ positive change would not occur in life. When I think of the answer to this question, I think of the Holocaust and all the survival stories of people going against all odds, and the countries in the war also assisting to affect change.
6. Who hasn’t? I think that God brings trials and tribulations in our lives to make us stronger people and to bring us closer to Him. Perhaps without these troubles, we would go about doing the same negative activities, and change would be minimal at best. Perhaps my trials with vocal concerns in college, was God’s way of making me a stronger musician. I learned to be more self-confident, and that my lack thereof was somewhat part of the issue. I also learned to be more expressive and was forced to come out from under the shell I was hiding in with my emotions. I realized this was the reason why many vocalists are typically extroverted. In order to be successful, we must become the character of the piece and express the emotions the character is going through to really convey the true meaning of the piece.
7. I think it is difficult because some people consider music an “extra” rather than essential as a means of expressing emotions otherwise left pent up within us. Most people do not realize the benefits of music in their lives, and perhaps take it for granted. I could go on with a myriad of studies and statistics which show the importance of music education for students today. Also since music, especially singing (in my opinion), is within us all, there is more competition between artists and musicians. Most people I know have a ‘day job’ or teach music in addition to performing it to support themselves. That’s just the way the cookie crumbles.
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