Out of the Blue

Last time I gave you a very basic introduction to some of the most fundamental musical terms and notations. This time I am going to be showing you something from the opposite end of the spectrum.

Just like in most creative disciplines (art, dance, theatre) people tend to question what music is. Very often you hear people who are opposed to Rap music claim that it's not music-just a bunch of words and noise. Sometimes you will also hear people bag on pop music that is circulated in the teen-girl section of society saying that it's too corny, too cookie cutter, and just plain horrible.

Personally, my iPod full of polar opposite music is reserved for my ears alone and other people can feel however they want about whatever styles of music they like. However, in the interest of challenging your idea of what music might be I am inviting you to listen to a musical group called F'loom.

This group was introduced to me about three or four years ago by a fellow band member who burned me a random mix of their songs from his collection. The group is an A Capella 'singing' trio that does something that they call "language music".

The first piece I ever listened to was this one entitled: Ghi Terakita

This one is more standardly musical that some of the other ones because of a pretty steady meter (or rhythm) that is maintained throughout the song. There are even pitch changes that suggest a song-like quality. The odd thing about this one is that the vocals are used in a purely instrumental function without any semblance of coherent words. This is something they have come to call "polyrhythmic mouth-percussion".

The second piece I heard of theirs, and one of their most popular is called: 10 Possible Outcomes of Gnegg's Paradox

This one is more language based than note or rhythm based-it even follows a constant story line (though many songs do this so that is not really a cause to call it unmusical). The vocals here are used both as lyrical and non-lyrical devices as the song contains words and odd background noises.

Lastly is this kind of piece: Just for a Few Minutes

This one contains almost nothing but words. The fact that it is close to pure nonsense (they do have other ones where it is simply words being strung together without sentences to portray a feeling such as hot or cold) held together only by the word 'JUST' being repeated in each scenario almost makes the sounds of the words into a song in itself.

They teach Master Classes at Manchester College and have appeared with many famous artists.
So what do you think? Music?

(click on any of the song titles to hear a small segment of the song-more can be found at their website)

Very Punny

If you can't find anyone to sing with you have to duet yourself.