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Vande Mataram (HD) - National Song Of India - Best Patriotic Song

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Activity 1

What's your fondest memory of songs or do you have any songs or music that you really like? Now, imagine, years later, you want to show those songs or music to your children or grandchildren; or hypothetically, you are a composer, of course, you want your music to be passed on to the future, what would you do?

I would attempt to turn it into a music sheet or score for physical memory and I would also use an online platform to download it or keep vinyls as records of my favourite songs to pass down. I think keeping my memories on to paper as a composer make me feel glad that was abe to keep on the legacy of composing to my children and their kids.

You have your favourite music, you want to preserve it. How do you think we can maintain the music?

I would compose a similar piece of pen to paper or keep vinyl records of it as a physical memory or I would compose it on to online platforms like Musescore and etc.

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What is your name and how long have you been in the school?

What instrument do you play?

Do you have any favourite genre of music?

What’s your aim or goal in this subject ?

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1. Breves, Double Dotted notes, Duplets

2. irregular time signatures

3. Bulgarian traditional dance music.

SOI: Understanding the importance of culture and tradition inspired the innovative preservation of the art forms.

GC: Orientation in space and time

KC: Change

RC: Boundaries and Innovation

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Draw the note value tree chart

*up to semiquaver

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Compose 3 Parts, each consisting of 4 bars.

Must use Irregular Time Signature (e.g. 5/4, 7/4, 9/4)

Must contain all notes from Semibreve to Demi-semiquaver

Can consist of any instruments.

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Discuss the time signature and the rhythmic structure of any of the Bulgarian dances.

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Discuss the time signature and the rhythmic structure of any of the Bulgarian dances.

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Many traditional Bulgarian folk dances are characterized by their use of irregular time signatures, which create distinctive and complex rhythmic patterns. These time signatures, such as 7/8, 5/8, or 11/16, are uncommon in Western music and give Bulgarian dances a unique, off-beat feel. For example, a dance in 7/8 time might be broken down into a long-short-short pattern (often counted as 2+2+3). This creates a rhythmic structure where the first two beats are quick, and the last beat is longer, producing an uneven but captivating flow. Dancers often match their steps to this rhythm, taking shorter steps on the quick beats and a longer step on the final beat. This irregularity makes the dance rhythmically exciting and distinctive. Other Bulgarian dances use even more intricate time signatures, such as 11/16, which might be divided into groups of 2+2+3+2+2, resulting in an unpredictable but engaging rhythm.

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In what ways has engaging with the irregular time signatures of Bulgarian dance music challenged or expanded your perception of musical structure and rhythm?

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In what ways has engaging with the irregular time signatures of Bulgarian dance music challenged or expanded your perception of musical structure and rhythm?

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Bulgarian music has introduced me to new rhythmic patterns that are unfamiliar in standard Western traditions. The grouping of beats into combinations like long-short-short (in 7/8) or more intricate divisions (as in 11/16) challenges the usual subdivisions I’m used to. It expands my understanding of how rhythm can be organized, showing that complex patterns can still be fluid and musical, even when they don't adhere to the regularity I might expect. Engaging with Bulgarian time signatures also has deepened my appreciation of how rhythm is tied to cultural expression. It has made me more aware that rhythmic structures are not universal, but culturally specific. This challenges my previous assumptions about what is "natural" in music and shows how other cultures use rhythm in ways that are deeply rooted in their history and identity.

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What personal growth or new understandings have you gained from studying or participating in Bulgarian dance music with irregular time signatures?

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What personal growth or new understandings have you gained from studying or participating in Bulgarian dance music with irregular time signatures?

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Engaging with these complex rhythms has strengthened my ability to adapt and think quickly when learning new music. Unlike the more predictable rhythms I was used to, the irregular beats required me to remain flexible and open to adjusting my approach. This has improved my overall musical adaptability, making me more comfortable with challenging and unconventional musical forms.

Exploring the irregular time signatures of Bulgarian music has also deepened my understanding of how music reflects cultural identity. I’ve gained a broader appreciation for how rhythm can be an expression of a community’s history, values, and traditions. This experience has helped me see music as a universal language with diverse cultural dialects, enriching my appreciation for global musical traditions.

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List any 2 components you have learned in this week's class and 1 question on anything you find intriguing.

I’ve learned about irregular time signatures, such as 5/4, 7/4, and 9/4, which break away from the traditional 4/4 or 3/4 patterns. These time signatures create unique rhythmic structures that challenge conventional rhythmic expectations. I’ve explored how irregular time signatures can be divided into various rhythmic patterns, such as 2+3 in 5/4 or 3+2+2 in 7/4, which offer a distinctive feel and complexity to musical compositions.

Question: How do musicians typically approach improvisation or composition in irregular time signatures, and what strategies can they use to maintain a cohesive and engaging rhythmic structure?

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List any 2 components you have learned in this week's class and 1 question on anything you find intriguing.

I’ve learned about the breve, a musical note with a duration that is twice as long as a semibreve (whole note), often used in early music notation. I’ve explored double-dotted notes, which extend the duration of a note beyond the usual dotting, making it one and a half times the value of the original note plus an additional quarter of its value.

Question: How do double-dotted notes affect the interpretation and phrasing of rhythm in different musical styles, and how can they be used creatively to enhance musical expression?

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List any 2 components you have learned in this week's class and 1 question on anything you find intriguing.

I’ve learned how understanding and valuing cultural traditions can inspire innovative approaches to preserving art forms, ensuring they remain relevant and vibrant in modern contexts. I’ve also explored how the orientation in space and time influences the evolution of cultural practices and artistic expressions, emphasizing the relationship between historical context and contemporary innovation.

Question: How can understanding the evolution of cultural art forms over time help in creating new works that respect traditional boundaries while pushing the limits of innovation?

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How would you connect the GC to what you have learned.

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How would you connect the GC to what you have learned.

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It's clear that music, like cultural traditions, evolves across different historical periods and geographical regions.

Breves and double-dotted notes reflect older traditions of musical notation, often used in earlier periods of music history, like the Renaissance eras. These notes give us insight into how time and rhythm were seen in music from different periods. By learning these, I can better understand how musicians in the past navigated musical structure and timing, enriching your appreciation of historical music. Similarly, duplets and irregular time signatures (like 5/8 or 7/8) are examples of how modern and contemporary music often breaks with traditional rhythmic structures. These innovations push the boundaries of what was once considered "standard" in music, showing how rhythm can be adapted to suit new creative expressions. These time signatures are more common in modern classical music, jazz, and experimental genres, reflecting the changing nature of music across different periods.

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This composition is inspired by the idea of blending tradition with innovation. Using irregular time signatures like 5/4, 7/4, and 9/4, the piece challenges usual rhythmic patterns and incorporates traditional note values, from long semibreves to fast demisemiquavers. These unusual rhythms reflect the influence of cultural traditions, such as Bulgarian dance music, where unpredictable patterns break away from familiar rhythms. The use of different note values creates a mix of stable, long notes and energetic, quick notes, offering a dynamic listening experience. The goal is to engage the audience with a rhythmic adventure that feels both new and intriguing. By using flexible instrumentation, such as strings, percussion, or wind instruments, the piece explores the balance between respecting musical tradition and embracing innovation. This work shows how tradition and creativity can come together in a meaningful and exciting way.

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Understanding the importance of culture and tradition inspired the innovative preservation of the art forms(SOI). What do you think about the statement? And how would  you relate the whole lessons with the GC, KC, RC? Share your thoughts.

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Understanding the importance of culture and tradition inspired the innovative preservation of the art forms(SOI). What do you think about the statement? And how would  you relate the whole lessons with the GC, KC, RC? Share your thoughts.

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The SOI highlights the connection between cultural heritage and innovation. It suggests that by recognizing the value of traditions, we can develop creative solutions to preserve and evolve art forms, ensuring they remain relevant in a changing world. This aligns with the GC which is "Orientation in Space and Time," as it emphasizes how cultures and traditions are tied to specific historical and geographical moments. Preserving these traditions requires understanding their importance within their original contexts while adapting them for the future. The key concept(Change) is main to this idea, as traditions are not the same but always evolving. Innovation can help adapt traditional practices to new technologies or contexts, ensuring their relevance in a modern world.

The statement also ties into the Related Concepts of "Boundaries and Innovation," where traditions often have defined cultural or historical limits. The statement highlights how understanding the importance of culture and tradition can inspire innovative approaches to preserving art forms, ensuring that they evolve with time while maintaining their cultural significance.

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Get access to files anywhere through secure cloud storage and file backup for your photos, videos, files and more with Google Drive.

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Each degree of the scale also had a technical name.

1st=Tonic

2nd= Supertonic

3rd= Mediant

4th= Subdominant

5th= Dominant

6th=Submediant

7th= Leading Note

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Goal: students will understand how music can serve as a powerful medium for expressing identity or advocating for social change.

Role: Cultural Ambassador or Social Advocate Students will assume the role of Cultural Ambassador if they choose a nationalistic song, representing and promoting their country’s culture. Alternatively, if they choose a song related to a social issue, they will become Social Advocates, using music to voice their stance on important social issues (such as equality, justice, or environmental concerns). In both roles, students will act as performers, educators, and communicators of significant cultural or social messages.

Audience: community members who are attending a cultural showcase event

Situation: In today's globally interconnected world, cultural pride and social advocacy are increasingly important. Students will be participating in a simulated real-life event, such as a cultural festival or social awareness campaign, where they must showcase their national or cultural identity or advocate for an important social issue through music. Their task is to select a song that reflects either their cultural pride or a pressing social issue and to present it as if they are part of a larger festival or campaign aimed at celebrating diversity, raising awareness, and inspiring action.

Product: Students will produce a live or recorded performance of the selected song, either vocal, instrumental, or both.

This performance will be accompanied by a presentation that provides:

A selected Song (Ci)

song’s cultural or social background, its historical significance, and its relevance in a national or global context.

Call to Action: students can include a call to action, encouraging their audience to engage with or support the cause the song addresses.

Appraise their performance (Di)

A reflects on their development as an artist, as well as why they chose this song, its meaning to them personally, and how it reflects their identity or values. (Dii)

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1. Mediant

2. Tonic

3. Dominant

4. Mediant

5. Supertonic

6. Leading Tone

7. Submediant

8. Submediant

9. Subdomdiant

10. Submediant

11. Supertonic

12. Dominant

13. Leading tone

B.

1. F#

2. Bb

3. D

4. G

5. G#

6. F

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Major Intervals:

1. Unison

2. Major 2nd

3. Major 3rd

4. Perfect 4th

5. Perfect 5th

6. Major 6th

7. Major 7th

8. Perfect 8th/ Octave

Minor Intervals:

1. Unison

2. Minor 2nd

3. Minor 3rd

4. Diminished 4th

5. Diminished 5th

6. Minor 6th

7. Minor 7th

8. Perfect 8th/ Octave

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1. Perfect 4th

2. Major 3rd

3. Perfect 5th

4. Major 2nd

5. Unison

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1. Have you achieved your goal or accomplished anything?

2. What's your short-term goal for this quarter?

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1. The technical name for diatonic scales

2. Augmented, Diminished interval

3. Compound Interval

4. Music as a medium

SOI: Art advocates social consciousness

GC: Fairness and Development

KC: Communication

RC: Audience

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List any 2 components you have learned in this week's class and 1 question on anything that you find intriguing.

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What is a diatonic scale, and how is it defined in Western music?

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What is a diatonic scale, and how is it defined in Western music?

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Whats the purpose of studying The technical name for diatonic scales?

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Performance

Why did you choose the song for your performance, and how does performing it connect you to the song's national pride or message?

I chose Vande Mataram because it’s a song that carries a lot of national pride and has a powerful message of unity and patriotism. Even though I’m Malaysian, I feel a strong connection to the cultural and historical significance of the song, especially as a Tamil person. It reflects the idea of honoring one’s roots and the sacrifices made for independence. Through this performance, I wanted to express my respect for my heritage and the broader Indian culture.

Appraising the Performance

How do you feel about your performance, and what went well?

I feel proud of my performance of "Vande Mataram." I worked hard to express the song's emotion through smooth phrasing and dynamic changes, and I’m happy with how I articulated the Sanskrit lyrics clearly, even though it was a challenge for me. I think the second verse, in particular, was very expressive. In the future, I want to improve by adding more variation in tone and expression during the dramatic parts to make the performance even better.

What vocal or instrumental techniques were important?

Breath control was very important for the long phrases, and I focused on using my diaphragm to keep the tone steady. Dynamics helped me express the emotional highs and lows of the song, and I practiced to make sure the transitions felt smooth. Pronouncing the Sanskrit lyrics accurately was a big focus for me since I wanted to respect the song’s cultural roots. I also paid attention to phrasing to make the melody sound natural.

What challenges did you face, and how did you address them?

One of the biggest challenges was pronouncing the Sanskrit lyrics correctly since I’m not familiar with the language. I had to spend a lot of time listening to recordings and breaking the words into smaller parts to get them right. Another challenge was expressing the deep emotion of the song. Knowing that Vande Mataram was so important during India’s independence movement made me feel like I needed to do justice to its history and meaning. This inspired me to focus more on dynamics, making sure I emphasized the softer and more powerful moments in the song.I also want to experiment with changing the tempo and volume a bit to add more variation and emotion to the performance.

How did understanding the song's message influence your performance?

Knowing the cultural and historical importance of Vande Mataram really shaped how I performed it. The song is so closely tied to India’s fight for independence and symbolizes devotion to the homeland, which made me feel a responsibility to perform it with sincerity and respect. Understanding this gave me a deeper connection to the music, and I tried to express that pride and unity through my phrasing and dynamics. I focused on bringing out the emotional intensity of the song, especially in the powerful sections that celebrate patriotism.

Reflection on Artistic Development

How has preparing for this song contributed to your growth as an artist?

Answer: Preparing Vande Mataram helped me grow as a performer in many ways. I worked on breath control to keep my tone steady, especially through the song’s dynamic changes. In the beginning, it was hard to keep my voice consistent, but with practice, I gained more confidence. I learned that with enough effort, I can improve at something difficult. The process also taught me how to connect with the song emotionally, and that growth came from pushing myself to be better each time I practiced.

What personal values or identity are reflected in your choice of song?

Vande Mataram reflects my pride in my Tamil heritage and my connection to Indian culture. The song represents patriotism, unity, and love for the homeland, which are values I believe in. Through this performance, I was able to express how important it is to honor our history, to stay proud of where we come from, and to celebrate the unity in our diverse cultures. It made me feel more connected to my roots and reminded me of the significance of respecting those who fought for our freedom.

How did performing this song influence your view of music as expression?

This performance made me realize that music is a way to tell stories and communicate deeper emotions. Vande Mataram is more than just a song—it's a symbol of patriotism and history. As I learned about the song's background, I was able to bring that emotion into my performance. Music became a way to express something meaningful that words alone can’t convey. I understood that through music, you can influence others and help them connect to something bigger than themselves.

Call to Action

What cause does your chosen song address, and how can others engage with it?

Vande Mataram addresses patriotism and national pride, celebrating unity and devotion to the homeland. It encourages people to honor the sacrifices made for independence. Others can engage with it by reflecting on their own cultural pride and understanding the importance of standing together for a greater cause.

How can your performance inspire others to support this cause?

Through my performance, I hope to inspire others to appreciate their heritage and understand the importance of unity. The emotion behind the song and its message of sacrifice can help others connect with the cause of patriotism, inspiring them to show respect and contribute to their communities or causes they care about.

What did you learn about yourself through this assignment?

Answer: I discovered a strong connection to sharing cultural stories through music. Preparing this song highlighted my appreciation for heritage and cultural expression. This assignment has shown me that I can incorporate cultural roots into my performance while bringing my unique interpretation to each piece.

How does this performance reflect your artistic identity?

This assignment challenged me to push through my own limits. Learning Vande Mataram was tough, especially because of the pronunciation and the emotional depth it required, but I realized I can handle challenges when I put in the effort. It taught me to be persistent and confident in my abilities. My performance reflects my identity as someone who values authenticity, culture, and personal growth. This experience showed me that I’m willing to take risks and step outside my comfort zone to improve as an artist.

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Let's listen and do some analytical research and studies on this music.

1. What is the genre of this song?

2. what‘s the background of this song? Do you think it has a message to deliver?

3. What musical elements (such as melody, rhythm, or harmony) do you think are used to convey the social message in this song?

4. How do the lyrics and the music work together to communicate the message of the song?

5. Who do you think is the intended audience for this song, and how might they respond to its message?

6. How can the audience play a role in spreading the social message of this song?

7. Can music like this inspire positive changes in society? How?

8. How does this song make you more aware of the social issue it addresses?

9. Can you think of another song that addresses a similar social issue? How does it compare to "Do You Know What I Hear"?

10. After you are aware of the background of this music, how would it affect you when it comes to performing this song? Or how would it contribute to your growth as an artist?

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Bing Crosby - Do You Hear What I Hear? (Lyric Video)