I'm very excited about continuing on our personal reflections for different composers in the new year. You all have been doing a wonderful job of putting your most honest comments on paper when listening to composers, and it is a great record of your journey into music appreciation.But what happens when you are listening to a composer's pieces, and you can't think of anything to write down? I've found a handy list of "helping questions" to guide you through creating a personal reflection.
Questions for Guided Listening and Reflection:
- How does the music make you feel?
- When you close your eyes, what do you see?
- What do you think the composer was feeling when he wrote this piece?
- Does the music tell a story?
- Are there patterns in the music?
- What instruments do you hear?
- Is the music fast? Slow? Loud? Soft?
- Do you like this piece? Why or why not?
- Does this piece remind you of another piece?
- If this piece was a drawing, what would it look like? Can you "draw" the music as a picture?
You don't have to answer all of these questions, but they do give you a good starting point for thinking about the music. Best of luck!
