Song: Colder Weather
Artist/Composer: Zac Brown Band
Time: 4:33
This is a familiar song I have heard many times. What I like about a familiar song is just that..it is familiar, I know the words and melody and I can sing along if I want. I feel more connected to a familiar song. This song is by the Zac Brown Band, a County style band which is composed of six members with Zac Brown singing lead vocals. When I hear this song I usually listen to the words and the instruments are just in the background. I really tried to listen to see what I could pick out for instruments this time. I can hear piano ( which I think is the only instrument during the opening of the song), and as the song progresses it seems to add some guitar which I believe would be called a dynamic change. Dynamic change is also used throughout the song as the vocals and instruments get louder and then softer. I am not sure why the artist/composer decided to use so few instruments but I do like how simple it is. I like how the music becomes more intense as the vocals do and then slows down again with them. I think the performance was very good, the instrumentation seems very skilled and the vocals are great with just enough background vocal support in key parts of the song. I will say it was hard for me to really listen to this song and not just sing along mindlessly.
Week 1- Unfamiliar music
Song: Symphony No.104 DM-London: Allegro spirituoso
Artist/Composer: Mozart
Time: 4:58
This was the first time I have heard this piece. I listened alone so I did not have to block out much but I did struggle to keep my attention on it and had to listen several times. Without words I found it harder to relate and maintain attention. I heard many instruments but I am not sure I could pick out each one. I am sure there was a flute and other wind instruments. I think maybe a few sting instruments like a violin and cello maybe???. The music was very pretty with all the wind instruments and their unique sounds and the way they repeated with the chorus. There was an orchestra performing this piece and as the music was very smooth and clear I assume they were highly skilled. It did seem there were brief breaks in the music, I am not sure why they were put there, they were very short but noticeable enough I guess. There were also periods of greater and lesser intensity which I think added to the song and helped to maintain my interest/attention. I do not have attention issues in general but I found I did somewhat with this. I am hoping with more exposure this will not always be the case.
