fandomhigh | History of (Earth) Music, Monday Afternoon

Lucas sat in his chair again when the students arrived. This time, there were harps, mandolins, lutes, and small electronic keyboards with organ sounds programmed in along with the flutes, though the drums and digeridoos were missing. He smiled at the class once they'd gathered and signed in.

"So, I wasn't sure if I'd be able to talk for today's class. I don't know what happened this weekend, but I'm sure we're all glad it's over. No more talking toasters on the radio, if nothing else." He clapped his hands. "Right, but that fits in with the theme of the class a bit. People like sound. They like to make it themselves, especially. Which is one of the reasons why we have music. And with musical instruments, we can communicate things even without our voices. If anyone used anything musical or rhythm related to communicate this weekend, speak up. Tell us about it."

That finished, Lucas moved on. "So last week we talked about tribal music, the very early days of music. One of the reasons why music developed was to express things that couldn't neccessarily be expressed in words, things that we don't always have words for, like emotions or spirituality. Which brings us into the Middle Ages of music." He pulled out a stack of papers and handed them out. "Most of the music of this time period, starting around 500 AD, was based on religious works. You'll find some of the specifics on that in that handout. Religion was a theme that most people of the time period could relate to very easily. Music was also an entertaining way to get the ideas of a religion across. In the western world, which a lot of American culture is based on, that religion was Christianity, but music for religion wasn't limited to Church. Cultures all over the world developed more complex instruments, like the harp, the lute, or the sitar, to create more complex music in order to express the more complex ideas they had about God or the world around them."

Lucas hit play on his remote and the sound of Gregorian chants came over the speakers.

"Of course, music wasn't just limited to religion. It was also used for every day themes, like drinking, farming, going to war, or, the most popular current theme for music, love. Traveling singers could earn a lot of money with their music in local pubs and taverns."

He hit play again, this time playing a modern Medieval styled musical group.

"So, let's see what you can do with some of the more complex instruments. Like last time, I have earplugs and aspirin if anyone decides they want it. Then let's talk. What, if anything, strikes you about this kind of music? Are there any other ideas that you think would be easier to express musically rather than verbally?"

[ooc: ocd is a comin'. As with last time, links are to Amazon for folks who want to listen. I will ping in where I can and it's warranted, but will probably have to SP for much of tomorrow while at work. Any errors in info are probably entirely mine]

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You know the drill

River signed in.

Marty signed in.

Kaylee signed in.

Walter signed in.

Zero signed in.

Archie signed in.

Did anyone use any music? If not, anyone have an idea of how they could have?

"Pippi let me borrow a trumpet this weekend. But it weren't really used for communicatin.' Just wanted to make noise cause it was too quiet," Kaylee explained.

"Trumpets are excellent for making noise. As I said, people just don't like silence."

"I knocked on a door. That counts as percussion, right?"

Lucas raised an eyebrow at Marty. "Technically."

Walter shrugged. "I didn't use music. I suppose we could have used music this weekend to convey moods or even messages if it was selected properly."

River was silent. She hadn't really thought about this option.

"Some guy an' I were goin' to play together in the common room. That's, like, bonding, yeah?"

"Sounds like it to me, yeah."

Archie cleared his throat. "I regret to say that I was unable to play an instrument all weekend due to having been only four inches tall."

Lucas might have been entertaining visions of running about and dancing on a keyboard.

"Next time, don't let that stop you."

Archie raised an eyebrow.

"In that case, I'll endeavor to find a lute and a tiny hammer, though all due respect, sir, I'd much prefer there not be a next time."

Lucas smirked. "We all would, kid, but until you spend a day as an apple tree, don't whine to me about. Be prepared, all that sort of thing."

"Tiny hammer it is, then."

"Good choice." Lucas gave him a look. "You were seriously four inches tall? How did that happen?"

"I have no idea," Archie said, shrugging. "I was building a model ship, and the next thing I knew, I was walking its deck."

"Huh. Well, did you have fun, at least?"

"Not particularly. Captaining a frigate without a crew, on dry land, isn't as much fun as one might think."

Lucas nodded. "Well, thanks for sharing, Archie."

Yeah, Lucas still probably doesn't care if you talk or use the handout to make paper airplanes.

Come on, you know you wanna.

Kaylee grabbed a mandolin. It seemed like a fascinating instrument...that she really didn't know how to play.

Marty tried playing the sitar, but it just sounded like he was trying to make music with a duck.

River found a bagpipe. It was very tricky to get the hang of it, but she liked the noise.

Zero grabbed a lute and attempted to play "London Calling" on it.

Archie picked up a mandolin and attempted to accompany himself, very badly, on "Sling the Flowing Bowl."

"It's better with a fiddle, and I can't play that either."

~~The chickpea is neither a chick, nor a pea. . . .~~

He ain't here forever, ya know.

"Sorry I missed the first class," River said. "I was a bit confused that day ~~and so was the mun.~~

Lucas shrugged. "Hey, it's summer, you're not getting grades, I figure you can show up or not as you like."

I wish I was a girl
So that you could believe me
And I could shake this static every time I try to speak

History of (Earth) Music, Monday Afternoon

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Nonverbal communication

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During the Lecture

Make some noise

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Discuss

Talk to Lucas

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OOC