Your comment post should be at least 300 words this week due Thursday by 11:59 pm (worth 70 points) and you will be responsible for responding (respectfully) to one of your classmates in at least a one paragraph reply entries by Sunday at 11:59 pm (worth 30 points).
Student Question | What Are Your Earliest Memories of Music?
MAY 9, 2016 5:02 AM May 9, 2016 5:02 am 4
What does that statement mean to you?
David Gonzalez interweaves a story about what music meant to his father as he tells about his own first memory of listening to those songs in the section of the article called “A Bolero Between Father and Son”:
My earliest memory of being alive comes with its own soundtrack. My father, Pedro, used to sit with his battered guitar by the window of our first-floor apartment in the Bronx and slowly pluck out the songs he had learned decades earlier in Puerto Rico.
They were romantic boleros, filled with melancholy and heartbreak, or traditional aguinaldos from his own rural childhood in Caguas.
God, I hated those songs.
During the 1960s, when Puerto Ricans were depicted as knife-wielding know-nothings who would be the downfall of the South Bronx, the last thing I wanted to hear was some corny music that reminded me of where my parents were from. Besides, by the end of that decade I was too enamored of Jimi Hendrix, Creedence and The Guess Who to even give a second thought to papi’s music. So while he tried once to teach me guitar, all I ever learned to play were records.
A few weeks ago, I was driving by Van Cortlandt Park on a sunny morning when one of those old songs popped up randomly. I only had to hear a few notes from the lead guitar to know it was “Noche de Ronda” by Dúo Pérez Rodríguez, one of papi’s favorite groups. With flowery, poetic lyrics, they declared loyalty to a vanished lover, vowing to wait until death.
Waiting. Maybe that was also a theme of papi’s life. He had come here as a teenager to work in factories where, in time, he would lose most of two fingers on his playing hand. No longer able to play leads, he switched to rhythm. He didn’t really talk about that. Nor did he talk much about Puerto Rico, having only gone back to visit once in the mid-1940s after he married my mother.
Music was the link to the island he left behind. Along with his brother Eusebio, and Luis Reyes, a family friend, they would break out the guitars to perform the music of their youth.
Students: Read the entire article, then tell us:
— To what degree do you identify with Mr. Gonzalez’s story of listening to his father’s favorite music from his own childhood?
— Is being a fan of a certain style of music or artists connected to how you see yourself? What about how you view other people? Explain.
— What are your first memories of music? What is the setting for those memories?
— Have your parents, grandparents, other older family members or teachers introduced you to music that they loved when they were younger?
— If so, what artists or musical styles have you “inherited” from them?
— Have you likewise brought new music to older family members? If so, what?
- To what extent is identified with the history of listening to favorite music from his father, from his own childhood Mr. Gonzalez?
ReplyDeleteI identify and understand because I that being Puerto Rican, Puerto Ricans are very talented in music and Boleros. And I hated and still hate the kind of music that my father listens.
- What are your earliest memories of music? What is the scenario of those memories?
My earliest memories was when I went for family holidays where my parents played music ( "Salsa") blaring, and I hated so much !! Today I miss those moments because after a few years I started to like. I always dream of returning time and to be in these holidays with my family, because I'm going to spend lot time away.
- Has also brought new music to older family members? So what?
would be good idea but, actually I do not do much because I like them to stay with those beautiful memories of his youth. And if I do it because I care a good kind of music.
Great comment i also think that Puerto Ricans music instruments are really amazing since i have never seen
Deletethem before.they look cool and they are clever designed
great work.
Solimar I loved the way you included your heritage to your work. Something knew I learned about you. I also liked the way you described how you feel about your countries music. Best work.
DeleteI identify Mr. Gonzalez’s story of listening to his father’s favorite music as
ReplyDeleteHe really wasn’t the type who would listen to 1960 modern music as he may felt that it is old and boring as explains the reasons why he doesn’t like his father’s favorite music in his childhood and may be without doubt Mr gonzalez’s would have liked music in now days. No because i really like most kinds of music including rock, remix and raps and even if i really a fan i don’t think it would have a connection of how i see myself since music is meant for listening entertainment but
But some people could have different taste in music and different musical bands. I view others equally as i ask to them “do you like this taste of music or do you like this music band”. If they answer no then that’s their opinion but some most people who listen to music aren’t fans in fact they think listening not to certain but all types of music is really enjoyable which what i do listening to music. “Three days grace”
Since it was extremely popular back then and when listening to it again makes me feel the old days. Remembers me while when i was younger listening to this at my home with sunrays coming through in egypt. My parents did a lot they would always turn on the radios and put on their favorite music whenever i wake up in weekends and whenever i tell them to shut it off to sleep they say “what do you mean! This music was played since you were born you will love it trust me”.
1900s artist Umm Kulthum is what artist i inherited from them. Yes but they never liked it and even if i get them a similar one like theirs they still rejected to listen to them.
I totally feeling the same way and I agree whit you about he Puerto Rican Music are really good!!!! Good job!!
Delete
ReplyDelete— To what degree do you identify with Mr. Gonzalez’s story of listening to his father’s favorite music from his own childhood?
I believe that Mr. Gonzalez story about listening to his father’s favorite music… was about bringing back old memories. The experience that he had to listen to the music one more for him was touching. They can be good or bad. Although he is recognizing the achievements or maybe the past of committing errors and later on seeing the right path to chose. Me being a Mexican-American teenage girl it’s difficult to chose which type of music to listen to being that you have so many varieties to chose from. Either very sad and emotionally unstable or being idiotically happy.
— Is being a fan of a certain style of music or artists connected to how you see yourself? What about how you view other people? Explain.
I do believe that listening to a certain kind of music can encourage on the way you are feeling at the time. Viewing other people in a negative or positive way is your choice, you end up seeing the kind of people they are by the kind of music they listen to. It’s not necessarily how they are. You always have to dig a little deeper to uncover the truth about anything or anyone.
— What are your first memories of music? What is the setting for those memories?
I can’t recall my first memories of music but I can observe now and see how happy I was back then with no worries headed my way. The setting of the memories are happy and joy, although I must admit and it includes changing into a negative way.
— Have your parents, grandparents, other older family members or teachers introduced you to music that they loved when they were younger?
Yes, my family introduced me to the old type of music they listened to back in the day. I must admit it does have more sentimental feeling and the words were more described and had you feeling a different way. I listen to my old heritages music more than the music my generation listens to now. Only Sam Smith and that’s at times.
— If so, what artists or musical styles have you “inherited” from them?
I have inherited from them only the depressing side. Which is the one I tend to prefer all the time. It makes me feel sad of course, but i know for sure that it opens my eyes way more and makes me understand situations that I’m in or i will later see in life.
— Have you likewise brought new music to older family members? If so, what?
Not really they tend to listen to the music they listened to back in the day. Knowing it’s the best for us. I don’t mind it it’s really good. Although I wish I could introduce them to the kind of music I listen to because songs speak to you.
I loved your blog for this week. I agree with you on your blog. it was very descriptive. I enjoyed this blog. I like how you worded it. I cant wait to read next week blog.
DeleteBeing a fan of certain music can change how you see things. For example, if you listen to pop music you are going to dress like a hipster. If u like heavy metal you are going to dress in black cloths. If u listen to a type of band that crazy rude selfish you are going to act like that because you look up to them. If you listen to pop your going to talk like them act like them and dress like them. If you get what i’m saying you understand that you look up to that person and want to be that person. If you view someone that likes heavy metal and you like pop your going to think that person is crazy or a wiredo. If you turn that around that person that likes heavy metal they are going to think you are crazy. My first memories of music was when i was little and i was in the the back seat of the truck and my dad put on bob segar and i used to rock my car seat up and down. My dad showed me to music by playing it in his truck all the time in his truck. Still to this day i still love bob segar music. I listen to it all the time. It stuck to me when my dad played it all the time. I did bring some new music to my dad he likes some of the new pop songs. The songs that i showed him was panda. He said he likes the beat it reminds him of back when he used to box. He also likes the song closer as well. My grandma doesnt like any of the new songs though. She likes all the old songs from back in the day. My grandma likes bob segar as well like my dad.
ReplyDeleteI see your point in the beginning, but I also disagree. Not everyone acts a certain way because of the type of music they listen to, but they can. Everyone is different. Good work though my dude.
DeleteI identify to a point with Mr. Gonzalez’s story. I relate because my mom always talks about how she grew up in the 80’s and I never really cared until I was older. Mr Gonzalez did the same, only caring about what was popular until he realized that the things in the past aren’t as boring as you think they are. He couldn’t even listen to his father’s music, or realize the sentimental value it has on him. It reminds his father of the good times he had when he lived in Puerto Rico.
ReplyDeleteI don’t identify people’s personality with their opinions. If they listen to a certain type of music, I won’t assume their lifestyle and personality. Some people like everything, so that doesn’t mean that they’re a good person or a bad person, it’s just their taste in music. I don’t see myself as any different listening to heavy metal bands than I would be if I listened to rap or pop music. People have different tastes in everything.
My first memory of music is my mom listening Three Days Grace in the car, and I remember liking it and wondering everything about it like how old it was and the story behind the song.
My mom introduced me to music from when she was growing up like Stevie Nicks (Fleetwood Mac) and my grandmother introduced me to Elvis Presley and The Beatles from a young age. I grew to like most of the music I was introduced to because i understood everything about it. To me it doesn’t matter how old a song is but what the quality of music it is and the meaning behind it.
I’ve gotten my mom to like some of the music I listen to now. I listen to Paramore and Fall Out Boy and she seems to like it. There are some bands that i thought she’s never heard before but it turns out she has, like My Chemical Romance for example. My family has always been open to new music.
To what degree do I identify with Mr.Gonzalez story of listing to his father favorite music from his childhood that he didn't like the type of music he listened to when he was younger and that we would get tired of hearing it since his dad took out his guitar playing it. Being a certain fan of a certain type of music or artist is connected to how you see yourself. I dont think it connects to how you look like. I met people who were a fan of Heavy metal and rock and it doesn't look like they listen to it this goes with any other genre people listen to. My first memories of music was when i first started to listen to rap when i was young and i would always listen to song because my cousin would listen to that. The setting of that was when i was visiting for a party i dont remember where the setting took place. My parents and grandparents would always listen to the same genre since my grandparents would always listen to it so it would go to my parents. And they would always play it i didn’t really mind it though. What musical styles i have inherited but i don’t think i have inherited the music styles from them. I don’t think i have brought new music to my older family members but they probably heard of it from my headphones or they probably heard of it somewhere else but they do know that i listen to the type of music i listen to now.
ReplyDelete