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Prompt 5: Define and evaluate the concept of transmission (Ratliff, Ch. 4) as an important musical element across all kinds of music. Do you agree with Ratliff’s arguments regarding this musical element? Why or why not? Examine at least one musical example in Ratliff’s playlist in detail – how does it exemplify this musical concept? Find at least one musical example outside of Ratliff’s playlist and justify its inclusion – how does it exemplify this musical concept?

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Prompt 5: Define and evaluate the concept of transmission (Ratliff, Ch. 4) as an important musical element across all kinds of music. Do you agree with Ratliff’s arguments regarding this musical element? Why or why not? Examine at least one musical example in Ratliff’s playlist in detail – how does it exemplify this musical concept? Find at least one musical example outside of Ratliff’s playlist and justify its inclusion – how does it exemplify this musical concept?

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Ben Ratliff explores transmission in Chapter 4, titled, "What If We Both Should Want More?" Ratliff defines transmission as, "an extreme form of emotion in music that transcends specific moods." I agree with Ratliff's arguments regarding this musical element in that the singer makes a connection to something greater than himself/herself and projects the message to the audience so that they may feel the same way the singer does. In beginning to understand the concept of transmission it would have been helpful to include more modern musical examples. One of Ratliff's musical examples, "The Morning After" exemplifies the concept of transmission. The song expresses doubt of an act of infidelity. The R&B tune evokes a moral discussion of his actions and the lasting effect on the people around him and his lover. The singer, Frankie Beverly, acknowledges his need to seek experiences and answers greater than himself. A musical example outside of Ratliff's playlist that should be included in the playlist is Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know". The singer emphasizes the word "sombody" to ponder the status of the former lover. While the singer feels the pain after breaking up, the lover refuses to feel. In both songs, minimal manipulations of sound were used. The transmissions of the songs derived mainly from the singer's vocals and the lyrics.

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"We're talking about trust in redemption, absolute confidence in the benefits of generosity, of willingness to get beyond earthly desires. We're talking about when a musician makes herself very small in relation to a force that guides her, and then directly transmits the force of that trust to the listener. That transmission is a motion. The musician gives with transmission, the listener receives with transmission."

~Ratliff, Ch. 4, Page 54

Ratliff's quote makes most sense in a religious sense where one let's go of their own existence and perceives the essence of a god. He gives the example of Sufi tradition, where receiving transmission is the equivalent of falling into the sea and immersing oneself into the music. The singer exposes their audience to "eternity" or inevitability". He stresses whether the individual perceives mood or tone is based on emotional intelligence.

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"Making music eventually becomes a higher devotion to an unstable process - and what is that if not transmission? The only signs that you are doing it well are two simultaneous connections - to the essence of your own sound and to the conscious of the listener."

~Ratliff, Ch. 4, Page 55

The music on Ratliff's playlist are simplistic. The raw vocals of the singers evoke feelings, but those feelings are up to the listener's interpretation. The singer may or may not be talking to a particular person. The singer's message expands the scope of the situation to a higher force working backstage behind the drama. The singer must most importantly make a connection to the individual listener even if the message does not apply to a particular audience.

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Ratliff describes singers as "ventriloquists", making a clear distinction of themselves and their forces. In a way, singers also act like ventriloquists to their audiences too. Singers influence how they feel towards certain subjects by projecting their feelings to their audiences. The forces are the actions and thoughts of the singer, who conveys the forces through words and vocal sounds.

CR: Dunham and his "Walter" dummy. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/ventriloquist-superstar-jeff-dunham-sues-807121

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In Sufi tradition, "awajjuh" means to focus with intention, to pay attention, or to send energy. In other words, "transmission" towards something or someone. Teachers project their energy to students. In the presence of the Sufi master and Divine Grace, a person is lifted from a fallen state into a destiny birthright. The general message is: " Everything is always the will of God, and the Work of God. A True Human Being is an instrument through whom grace flows and work is being done." The following elements are important for transmission: assessing something or someone, letting go of oneself, and communication with a higher being.

CR: Awajjuh. http://www.techofheart.co/2010/11/tawajjuh-spiritual-transmission-of.html

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Brendon Urie, the lead singer of Panic! At the Disco, sings about his frustration with Spencer Smith's drug addiction in "This is Gospel". Spencer Smith was the band's former drummer. The singer worries about the future of the band and their friendship as the situation has prolonged for four years. Urie's line, "the fear of falling apart," highlights his fear in the consequences of Smith's actions on himself and the rest of the band. The audience can feel the raw vocals of Urie pleading to Smith to recover and move on from his addiction.

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Panic! At The Disco: This Is Gospel (Piano Version)

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The U.K. girl band, Little Mix, with Jason Derulo, sing about a secret relationship between two lovers in "Secret Love Song". The lovers go "behind closed doors" to spend time together, but avoid showing affection in public. Although they both love each other very much, they acknowledge that they have "a love that is hopeless". The song has a longing tone that resonates devotion. Their fans have interpreted their song to apply to the LGBT community, who have faced discrimination by homophobic individuals and groups that do not agree with their lifestyle. Their song has been used as a rallying cry for the LGBT community and allies that believe everyone, regardless of their orientation, gender, or sex, should be treated with dignity and respect.

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Little Mix - Secret Love Song (Official Video) ft. Jason Derulo