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concept of linking (agree or disagree?) 

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concept of linking (agree or disagree?) 

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Ratliff describes the element of linkness as a musical piece where smaller components form a story. This allows the song to become a living organism because it moves forward through many different styles and musical phrasings in order to get to an end point. I agree with Ratliff's argument because a larger musical composition can only be created through smaller parts. When there are sections to a song, it allows for a more diverse sound and an actual relevant composition. I also agree that through linkness, a song becomes a living organism because there are many different feelings that derive from a song when smaller parts are contributed. The diversity is what allows this music to have a living feeling to it.

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An example Ratliff uses is Spiritual by Donald Lawrence. Lawrence's main goal is to connect the song to the faith he has. He does this by giving his performers specific instructions in order to insinuate this religious message. He includes that it has different sections such as A and B and C. Through these sections there is a "linkness" that brings them all together to form one grand piece. Through this it becomes a "living organism" because it grows and becomes something different as the song proceeds.  All these different sections play a large role in creating the song and allows it to grow emotionally through its diversity.

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An outside musical example of linking is Love Story by Taylor Swift. The song begins by telling the beginning of a love story. With the lyrics "we were both young when I first saw you", it introduces the beginning of the story. It proceeds to discuss the evolution of this "Romeo and Juliet" love story. This exemplifies Ratliff's idea of linking because it brings smaller parts not only musically, but also storywise. It takes little fragments and meshes them together in order to tell this progressing love story. It also shows the various elements used within the song that make the difference between the sections.

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"But music doesn't have to be set at right angles. It does not have to be square or symmetrical or neatly sequential."
- Ratliff (pg. 207)

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"It is not forbidding. But it takes that power away from you. Put another way, it relieves you of that burden."
- Ratliff (pg. 214)

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This shows the visual of linkness. It is similar to putting puzzle pieces together in order to form one larger piece.

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Another take on the idea of linkness and how two or more things merge together in order to become one.

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This is the example Ratliff used in his book.

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In the video, you can also see the love story portrayed in the lyrics.