Your comment post should be at least 400 words this week due Thursday by 11:59 pm (worth 70 points) and you will be responsible for responding (respectfully) to one of your classmates in at least a one paragraph reply entries by Sunday at 11:59 pm (worth 30 points).
Student Question | What Are Your Earliest Memories of Music?
MAY 9, 2016 5:02 AM May 9, 2016 5:02 am 4
What does that statement mean to you?
David Gonzalez interweaves a story about what music meant to his father as he tells about his own first memory of listening to those songs in the section of the article called “A Bolero Between Father and Son”:
My earliest memory of being alive comes with its own soundtrack. My father, Pedro, used to sit with his battered guitar by the window of our first-floor apartment in the Bronx and slowly pluck out the songs he had learned decades earlier in Puerto Rico.
They were romantic boleros, filled with melancholy and heartbreak, or traditional aguinaldos from his own rural childhood in Caguas.
God, I hated those songs.
During the 1960s, when Puerto Ricans were depicted as knife-wielding know-nothings who would be the downfall of the South Bronx, the last thing I wanted to hear was some corny music that reminded me of where my parents were from. Besides, by the end of that decade I was too enamored of Jimi Hendrix, Creedence and The Guess Who to even give a second thought to papi’s music. So while he tried once to teach me guitar, all I ever learned to play were records.
A few weeks ago, I was driving by Van Cortlandt Park on a sunny morning when one of those old songs popped up randomly. I only had to hear a few notes from the lead guitar to know it was “Noche de Ronda” by Dúo Pérez Rodríguez, one of papi’s favorite groups. With flowery, poetic lyrics, they declared loyalty to a vanished lover, vowing to wait until death.
Waiting. Maybe that was also a theme of papi’s life. He had come here as a teenager to work in factories where, in time, he would lose most of two fingers on his playing hand. No longer able to play leads, he switched to rhythm. He didn’t really talk about that. Nor did he talk much about Puerto Rico, having only gone back to visit once in the mid-1940s after he married my mother.
Music was the link to the island he left behind. Along with his brother Eusebio, and Luis Reyes, a family friend, they would break out the guitars to perform the music of their youth.
Students: Read the entire article, then tell us:
— To what degree do you identify with Mr. Gonzalez’s story of listening to his father’s favorite music from his own childhood?
— Is being a fan of a certain style of music or artists connected to how you see yourself? What about how you view other people? Explain.
— What are your first memories of music? What is the setting for those memories?
— Have your parents, grandparents, other older family members or teachers introduced you to music that they loved when they were younger?
— If so, what artists or musical styles have you “inherited” from them?
— Have you likewise brought new music to older family members? If so, what?
ReplyDeleteI think from reading this article that Mr. Gonzalez learned to appreciate and really start to like the music his father used to listen too. Gonzalez explained that he did not really like the music his father listened to but preferred his own. Gonzalez did not want to be known as Puerto Ricans were back then as know nothings. I think he wanted to avoid his father’s music for this reason. Once Gonzalez grew up he began to realize that it wasn’t as bad and he should respect it more for what it is and what it means for his father.
I do not think a certain kind of music connects to how I see myself because a lot of music that I have listened to over the years really doesn’t connect to me as a person. It may for some others but for me I have memories and other things stashed away in my soul that I can’t release or even be able to find in a song. I also do not think that it depicts a person either or affect the way that i view a person. Just because they say they can relate to a song doesn’t mean it necessarily relates to them or to their personality for example. A personality of someone can’t just be viewed or judged by what you hear in songs or how the person says that they can relate to them. My first memories of music go back about 12-13 years. It was when I heard people sing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”. That was when I was about 2-3. Mainly my mom and dad sang these types of songs to me. I do definitely also know that they sang to me when I was younger but those memories are just too far gone that i am not able to hold them in my mind or be able to search for them in my mind. Those are the earliest memories of music that i have locked and stored away in my mind.
Some family member have introduced different types of music to me. For example, just a couple of years ago my parents introduced me to a genre known as Country. I honestly did not like it at all the first time i heard it, but over time, after listening to it more and more just caused me to grow into liking it. I do still listen to other music but this goes along with some of the other types of music I listen to. I really do thank my parents for introducing this kind of music into my life.
Some of the artists that I have come to like because of my parents include Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and many others that are really great. Because I have spent time listening to this genre I have also been able to observe and begin to like the other artists that are involved in this genre.
I, personally, have not shared any music that i have learned to like with anybody. I am mostly involved with people around my age but they mostly already know the types of music and artists that I listen to.
Justin, I like your post. My first song I can remember was also twinkle twinkle little star. It's cool that you also now like country. I've never been a fan of it though. And, just like you, my parents also introduced me to country. I think though, kind of how you said, if you listen to almost any type of music for a long time you'll learn to like it.
DeleteI agree with you Justin.My first memories of music were of songs like twinkle little star.Music for me doesn't depict of who a person and who they stand for
DeleteAfter reading this article that Mr. Gonzalez learned to like and really start to like the music his dad used to listen too. He said that he did not really like the music his father listened to but preferred his own type of music. I think he wanted to avoid his father’s music because he did not want to be labeled as that. Once he grew up he began to realize that it wasn’t as bad and he should respect it more for what it is and what it means for his father. I do not think a certain kind of music connects to how I see myself because a lot of music that I have listened to over the years really doesn’t connect to me as a person. It may for some others but for me I have memories and things like that about songs. I also do not think that it makes a person either or affect the way that I view a person. Just because they say they can relate to a song doesn’t mean it describing their life. A personality of someone can’t just be viewed or judged by what you hear in songs or how the person says that they can relate to them. My first memories of music goes back a while. It was when I heard people listen to certain songs it go stuck in my head. I do definitely also know that they sang to me when I was young but I do not really remember it. Those are the earliest memories of music that i have put away. Some family member have introduced different types of music to me. I really do thank my parents for introducing different kinds of of music into my life. Some of the artists that I have come to like because of my dad or mom. Because I have spent time listening to other genre I have also been able to start looking at and do to like the other artists that are involved in this that type of music. I have shared any music that i have learned to like with other people. I am mostly involved with people around my age but they mostly already know the types of music and artists that I listen to. So in conclusion there are a lot of different types of music and it connects to your life in a lot of ways.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Nick. Mr. Gonzalez didn't really like his dads type of music at first, but as he grew older he began to appreciate it more and more. I have shared music that I like with my parents, just like you. Overall, I am involved with the music of our time and and older music that my dad likes.
DeleteI personally don't agree with Mr. Gonzalez. For me, the music my Dad listened to when he was my age I still listen to. Many people are not like this. I personally don't really care for new music for certain reasons. Another thing is that I do believe that to some extent what music you listen to affects how you see others and yourself. But for me, I don't think it affects me. I don't even really listen to the lyrics of the song or the meaning behind them. I mainly just listen to it as music, as is the lyrics were more notes than words. After I hear that song again many times, I then listen to the words in it. So really, it doesn't affect my opinion on anything. As for my first memories of music, it was probably kids music. Like "Twinkle twinkle little star" and things like that. The setting I really can't remember. I guess mainly in my house. And, of course, I haven't brought new music to family members, because I listen to older music.
ReplyDeleteJosh I agree with you. Listening to music when you're younger can rub off onto you and you can like it when you're older. Not everyone needs to be into the newer music either.
DeleteI identify to a high degree with Mr. Gonzalez's story of listening to his father’s favorite music from his own childhood? I listen to my father's favorite music from his own childhood all the time. Whether I am with him or whether I am not. I still enjoy listening to that music either way. Therefore, I am in the same boat in Mr. Gonzalez and I identify to his story at a high degree. I think that being a fan of a certain style of music or artists is connected to how I see myself. For example, if I am listening to country or rock I see myself as being like my dad or my family. However, if I am listening to rap or hip hop I see myself as being like most of the kids in the school or people who live in the city. I definitely view other people based on what type of music they listen to. I tend to have better bonds with kids who listen to country and rock. Not many kids around here listen to that, so when I found someone who does we usually get along well. I have friends that listen to rap and hip hop and I don’t dislike them for that because I do too. However, hip hop and rap aren’t really my style compared to country and rock. Therefore I view people that listen to country and rock easier to get along with than the people who listen to hip hop and rap. My first memories of music are when I was little about 6 and my dad played music on a stereo. I first remember hearing older country because that is what he was listening to. I also remember hearing classic rock that why I know this music so well now. I only remember hearing country and rock because I hear it a lot. Yes my parents have introduced me to music they loved when they were younger, especially my dad. There are a few artists that I have inherited from my dad. They are Waylon Jennings, Alan Jackson, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. I like these artists and still listen to them because I listened to them all the time growing up. I have brought newer music to my older family members. For example, newer country music and some hip hop to my mom. My mom mainly listens to country and rock, but sometimes when she’s with me she listens to hip hop and she knows some of it. My dad listens to new country sometimes, but he doesn’t know all of it, so I bring some new music to him. Overall, I take after what my parents raised me listening to.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you jakob, the type of music can define who you are and how you see yourself. You can get along better with people who like the same type of music as you, and it's a good thing to like the music your parents raised you listening to.
DeleteI can agree with Mr. Gonzalez when he said that the music his father played just reminded him of where they were from. He thought it was outdated and corny, but it had much more meaning than the words in the songs. They told a story about his father's life and experience, and Mr. Gonzalez did not realize it until he was much older. I think that his father appreciated that type of music for a reason, being that it reminded him of where he was from and how hard he worked to get there. He sees the world differently than others and he sees his life differently than other americans. My first memories of music are in the car going on long trips. My dad would always have the music very loud and the windows down, and the memories are happy ones. Not like Mr. Gonzalez’s dad because when he played his music he remembered the work and labor that he took to get where he was. My parents have showed me the music that they listened to when they were young, but not my grandparents. The songs they liked were not terrible but it was understandable why they were popular during that time and some of them I listen to myself. Like Mr. Gonzalez I understood why they liked the songs and how it related to how they were raised and related to their experiences. I really don’t listen to anywhere near the same type of music as my parents, but that’s not related to how I was raised. Mr. Gonzalez’s music was him expressing his past and his soul for others to understand.
ReplyDeleteFrom Mr. Gonzalez’s story, I remember acting just like him in that situation. When my mom would play the music that she liked, I never liked to listen to it. When my mom would play her music in the car i would complain that it’s not what I liked. I would also complain that I just wanted to listen to the songs that I liked. As I grew up, I could recognize some of my mom’s favorite songs. I could name older songs songs and artist that she liked just by listening to just a few notes in the beginning. I don’t think that the certain style of music I listen to is connected to the way I view myself. I listen to all different genres of music but I feel like my view on myself never really changes. I don’t look at myself in a different way just because I like a certain artist or style. If I like a song from the 80’s I’m not going to think of myself any differently than I did before. My first memory of music was in kindergarten. I remember singing songs with the teacher and as a class. Then we would put on little shows for the parents and it would be really fun. Also, I remember all the older songs that my parents would listen to in the car together and I would remember some of the lyrics in the songs. Throughout my life my parents and other old family members have introduced me to songs that they loved when they were kids and that I ended up loving. I would say that about a quarter of the music that I listen to is songs that my parents and family members have introduced to me. I really do enjoy older songs that they liked because they all have catchy lyrics and nice beats to them. One genre that I have inherited was classic rock. My dad was the one that showed me different songs from different eras of time that are rock and they have always stuck to me as some of my favorite songs from older times. My mom has definitely showed me different pop and alternative songs from when she was growing up. I still listen to these different genres each day because they are still basically my childhood. I grew up listening to all these genres and ended up loving them. If I am looking for new music to listen to, I always end up looking through the classic rock section and 80’s pop and alternative. Now most of the time I like to show my parents what kinds of songs I like. I’ll show them new alternative and pop artist that are new. Twenty One Pilots is my favorite alternative group and I have showed them some of my favorite songs by them. I like to show them trending artist that are popular now.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Sam. Most of my memories of music were also from kidergarten since the teacher would have us listen and dance to many songs. Many of the music we learn about is from school, since we hear from our teacher's and classmates of what they like to listen too.
DeleteOn a mid-degree I agree with Mr. Gonzalez. I do not listen to much music my parents listen too. My mom is in love with Bruce Springsteen and as it was drilled into my head I began to dislike it. My dad listens to rock and when I was ever in the car with him he would put on the rock station and we would listen to that, I was also the child who would try and listen to classical music every time I could because of my grandfather and my great grandmother. My music taste today does not necessarily describe who I am. Just because I listen to music that varies in genres like Broadway to metal. I listen to a lot of alternative stuff that the average boy/girl would listen to. The types of music I listen to would put me under the description of “emo” but I am nothing like that. I have a bright personality and I’m just shy. I’m a performer so I must listen to pop music! Well that’s not the case. My music taste was heavily influenced by my family, mostly by my sister. My sister is my step-sister but I consider her my actual sister. She used to live in New York with her dad and also down here in Jersey with my mom. She would come down to visit and I would sit in her room with her and listen to her music with her. Once she graduated high school she moved to Las Vegas. Once she moved out there I always got this memory of a band and this guy in a red suit who got shot in the hand. It turns out it was a music video my sister showed me before she left. It was “Nine in The Afternoon” by Panic! At The Disco. After that I went through the whole one direction phase because I wasn’t in contact with my sister. Once I got a cell phone we started bonding over music again and I got back into the more alternative music. No we both listen to the same bands like Simple Plan, My Chemical Romance and Paramore. She took me to see our favorite bands when I visited her in Las Vegas. This past year she came down and took me to warped tour after she surprised me at my summer music camp. My sister had a huge impact on my music taste and honestly I’m grateful. Now my mom listens to some bands, for example she took me to an All Time Low concert and she knew a ton of the words. My sister is a great inspiration and I wouldn’t be who I am today without her.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the article, I can identify Mr.Gonzalez’s story by listening to his father’s favorite music from his own childhood because at the beginning he used to hate the music his father played. He didn’t appreciate the music that his father liked, while sitting by the open first floor window and strumming his guitar. Later on in life Mr. Gonzalez realized that he fell for Jimi Hendrix, the Who, and other music because of his father. Mr. Gonzalez also makes reference to his father once trying to teach him how to play the guitar. I don’t see certain music connected to myself, but I do see it connected to other people. Certain music that people listen to shows me a little bit about who they are. Music expresses people in many ways. People who listen to certain bands and/or artists are mostly going to be a specific group of people.
My first memories of music came from my brother. I remember going into my brother’s room when I was younger and he would be listening to Green Day. My mom and dad would also playing the latest hits on the car radio while I was sitting in the back seat. When I was driving with my uncle, he would be listening to Hard Rock. I would make him change the radio station.
My mom introduced me to all sorts of music, from the 60’s all the way through the 80’. Naming a few of the bands my mom like such as, Paul Simon, The Beatles, James Taylor, and Rick Springfield. This was just the beginning of my true love of music. As I got older, my friends introduced me to alternative music such as, The Neighbourhood, 5 Seconds of Summer, Arctic Monkeys, and The xx. From my mom I inherited my love for 80’s music, with all it’s quick beats, and soft rock tones. My dad listens to a lot of classical music, and I learned how to enjoy this slow but steady beat music from him. I have brought music into my Uncle’s life also. I introduced him to The xx, which he actually took from me so that he could listen to it himself. I also turned him onto Arctic Monkey’s, which would never have been something that he would have listened to. It’s kind of funny because i never would have imaged him listening to the same music that I listen to.
I agree with what you said Gabby. Mr. Gonzalez did not appreciate his fathers music at the beginning. But, as he got older he started to appreciate it more, especially after he fell for Jimi Handrix. Who was also a musician like his father.
DeleteThe degree that I identify with Mr. Gonzalez’s story of listening to his father’s favorite music from his own childhood, is a lot. When I was young, my mom and dad always listened to music. Every time in the car, my mom would turn on the radio and put on her music or find a song that she liked. However, my mom and dad had different tastes for music. My mom liked rap and hip hop music while my dad liked rock and metal music. So there was many different styles i grew up listening to, but I ended up liking my mom’s music more than my dad’s. Because of this, i began to listening to more of her type of music with her, and also found out styles I personally favor, such as pop and alternative. I think that being a fan of a certain type of style of music or artist is connected to the way you view yourself. For example, how i mainly listen to pop music, i view myself as a happy and fun person. Pop isn’t that music that you would cause you to do wild things, and it isn’t something that would be considered that peaceful either. It’s like in between the two and creates someone who would do things not to wildly, but not too calmly either. This is how I see mslef, as someone who isn’t too wild or calm. I also think that music makes me view people a certain way. People who like to listen to music such as rock or heavy metal I usually view as someone who likes to party or do some crazy stuff. People who listen stuff like classical or beethoven seem to be more relaxed and calm about their life. These styles and artists are what create a personality that I usually make up and view them that way. My first memories of music is my mom’s hip hop songs she’d play in the car. She would mainly listen to LL Cool J and his music since he was her favorite singer. The setting of these memories were in the car most the time but sometimes she’d put him on in the house. This caused me to believe to have when listening to music, you should have fun and enjoy it. My grandparents have introduced me to music that they liked, such as music from the 50’s and 60’s. When I listened to it, it wasn’t really my favorite, but it wasn’t bad either. It made me enjoy some of their old music and realize that how old a song is doesn’t effect how good it is. I wouldn’t really say I brought new music to older family members since I don’t listen to too much music when they’re around. I usually let them turn their music on cause i’m not that picky with music styles.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you hunter. As you grow up the music you hear your parents listen to begins to stick with you. You find what styles you like and dislike to see what your favorite is. I also agree with you saying that parents are the first influences on different types of music. They get their favorite style and as you grow up it sticks with you because it gets drilled into your head after a while.
DeleteI enjoyed reading your blog and agree with you. we do inherit music from our parents and grandparents. As much as we don't like listening to it, we begin to enjoy it and then listen to more music like it. I'm glad you enjoy the music you listen too. Music choice does have some pretty good songs. music is very important and can help people in many ways.
DeleteMr. Gonzalez at the beginning of the article did not very much appreciate the music his father listened too. As I began to read i started to agree more and more with him. But, after a while he started to actually like his father’s music and appreciate it more. Like when his says his father lost two of his fingers he started to realize how much he actually like the music. Just like Mr. Gonzalez father, everyone has their own opinion of what music they like. My favorite music to listen to is pop. I do believe the type of music you listen to can define who you are as a person. People who listen to happy up beat songs seem to be more happy human being. Just like someone who listens to sad music, seems to be the type of people who are going through a hard time. Music defines people's personality, vibe, and culture. I feel like even as a little girl music has always been in my life. I remember listening to hip-hop music in my aunt’s basements and jumping around dancing. Even being in the car going on long car rides just screaming at the top of my lungs singing a song. I believe that I play music that relates to my life at that moment. For example if I win a soccer game, I would listen to music that gets me excited and happy. If I am feeling sad, I would listen to a song that relates to my situation. Usually my older family members would do the same thing. If we are on long trips and an old song comes on my mother will always turn it up and start singing the song. I always find my older family members music intriguing. It’s so interesting to see who they grew up and how they lived their life through the music that they listened too. As i start to listen to some of the older generations music I start to see some of them that I like. Just like how my older family members do with new music. Though sometimes they do not like it they start to deal with it. They live in the twenty first century and they need to see how the music is today. Most things on the radio and on tv today is music of this century not when they were younger.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Alyssa. Like Mr. Gonzalez, we sometimes don't appreciate the music our parents made us listen to as a kid or even now. you soon realize how much this music meant to them and you start to understand why they like it.
DeleteI agree with you Alyssa. The music you're listening to could define how you're feeling. You mentioned that people have their own opinions of if they like a certain type of music or not, just how Mr. Gonzalez didn't like his fathers music as a kid.
DeleteI agree with you completely Alyssa. I never understood my parents music or liked it at all. I couldn't understand why the would even like it since it wasn't any good. However, over time you begin to realize why they like the songs so much and they start to grow on you.
DeleteFrom reading the article about Mr. Gonzalez’s childhood music memories I slightly identified with it. When I was very young I barely remember my father playing his music to me. I remember a few of the songs today and how different they are compared to today’s music. I wasn’t in love with my dad’s music that he played with me but I still recognize it today. It is the same with Gonzalez. He didn’t think much of the music when he was young and hearing it but now when he is older he recognizes it. It is the same with me. I personally think that the type of music you listen to represents some of your personality. If you listen to happier music then to me it means you’re a happy and positive person. But if you listen to darker music and sadder music then you’re not in a good mood. Usually when I am happy I listen to light mood music. I subconsciously do this so I think music can represent your feelings. My very first memories of music is when I was very young. I remember watching TV and listening to songs from younger kid shows. The songs aren't really too fresh in my mind but I still have vague memories of them. My first memories are mainly just from listening to songs on the TV from shows such as Sesame Street and The Wiggles. The songs and music were very repetitive and had beats so I think it stuck in my mind for such a long time. I loved watching tv shows as kids with songs and dancing so it stuck in my mind when I watched the shows over and over again so I remembered a lot of the songs. My older family members have introduced a lot of music to me. They have showed me very old music to music from their childhood. I liked a lot of the music they showed me. The songs even left me really happy and a fan of the songs/bands so I bought a lot of the albums that older relatives showed me. Even though today’s music is a lot different from when they were my age I still like a lot of the music they have to show me. I try showing older family members music that I listen to but they usually don’t like the newer music. I understand why, it is a lot more techno-sounding and less singing from their music so I understand why they dislike it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Shane. I also found some similarities from this article and my real life. My parents also don't like my music either.
DeleteMr. Gonzalez's learned when he got older that his father listened to music that he listened to when he was a young boy in Pureto Rico, at the time he was ashamed of being Pureto Rican. He thought that if he was affiliated with his fathers music that he would be a know nothing nobody which is how people that were Pureto Rican were seen and happy people looked at them. The type of music you listen to does have an effect on how other people will look at you, and how you will look at yourself. For example my mom and I were in Shoprite and a man was walking around with his son, blasting rap music. I immediately thought to myself and made a bunch of accusations on how I think that man is as an individual, just because of the type of music he was playing. The first memories I have of music is back when I had just first started going to a school, like age 4 or 5, and I remember we would lay down for nap time and the teacher would put on music to help get us to fall asleep. I don't remember any of the songs, but it was mostly stuff like soft instrumentals and things like that, just as a background noise to help us fall asleep faster. My grandparents have not introduced me to any type of music they listened to, however my dad has shown me some of the music he listened to when he was a kid back in the 1980s. He mostly just puts on the 80s channel on the radio so I end up hearing a lot of older songs and my dad mentions the ones he likes the best so that's how he shows me music. The bigger titles he introduced me to are Micheal Jackson, Beatles a lot of the bigger names that everybody already knows about. Those are the names I was introduced to that I remember, there are probably others that I have heard but just don't remember. I have not introduced my family to any of the music from this generation for two reasons, first my parents think this music style is to fast and they don't like it. The second reason is that I don't know all the songs, and new songs come out everyday. also I don't listen to music much, most of the music I hear is 80 songs my dad listens to.
ReplyDeleteTroy I agree with you. Gonzalez was ashamed of being Puerto rican and he didn't like his fathers music. But the type of music you listen to you isn't you.
DeleteThe degree I identify Mr.Gonzalez's story of listening to his father's favorite music from his childhood, was that he hated it. Throughout the article we learn that Mr.Gonzalez was not very fond of his fathers taste in music. He just didn't appreciate it like his father did. Mr. Gonzalez was into Jimi Hendrix, Creedence and The Guess Who. Being a fan of a certain style of music doesn't connect to how I see myself. The type of music I listen to isn't very appropriate to be quit honest. The music I listen to involves drugs and just honestly non sense. I just like the beat and how the words sound to the music. However, the music doesn't reflect on who I am at all. The music other people listen doesn't affect me in any way shape or form. I mean if you wanna listen to country music or some pop punk go for it. Everybody has their own taste in music, it doesn't mean I have to like it or understand it. I just have to accept it, which I totally would. I'm not friends with your music I'm friends with you. So therefore you shouldn't judge people on what their taste in music is, even if its different from yours. My first memories of music is when I was younger and my sister would always play "What you waiting for" by Gwen Stefani or "Milkshake" by Kelis. The setting for when I would listen to these songs would always be in her car. She would put the Cd's in the player and just blast the music. We would always be driving somewhere, I can't remember off the top of my head. However, we would always be driving somewhere that took some time and we would listen to these songs on repeat. The thing about my sister and I is that we never get sick of a song. We play it so much until we eventually get sick of it. That takes awhile for that to happen though.Honestly, my parents didn't really introduce me to any music they loved when they were younger. My sisters did they would always play their music when I was in the car and I always happened to like it. My sister Melissa and I honestly have the same taste in music. However, my sister Nicole and I have similar taste in music but then again our taste is very different. The artists I have "inherited" from my sisters would be The Civil Wars, Glee Cast, JoJo, Kelly Clarkson, Phantom Planet, Salt-N-Pepa, and TLC. I honestly haven't brought new to my older family members. They stick to what they have been listening to in their generation and don't really wanna listen to anything else. Don't get me wrong I've tried to get to them to listen to the music I like but they would say its "garbage." Therefore, I just stopped trying. I don't mind listening to their music, sometimes the songs aren't as bad as you would think. All in all, this article about music and family is honestly truly interesting. I never really thought about where I got my taste in music from, until reading this so thank you for that!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Tori. Mr. Gonzalez and his father had different taste in music. I also agree that you shouldn't judge people's taste in music.
DeleteFrom Mr. Gonzalez’s story, I remember being just like him in that situation. When my mom would play the music that she liked, I never ever enjoyed listening to it. When my mom would play her music in the car I would constantly complain that it’s not what I liked. I would also complain that I just wanted to listen to the songs that I liked. As I grew up, I could recognize some of my mom’s favorite songs. I could name older songs songs and artist that she liked just by listening to just a few notes in the beginning. I don’t think that the certain style of music I listen to is connected to the way I view myself. I listen to all different genres of music but I feel like my view on myself never really changes. I don’t look at myself in a different way just because I like a certain artist or style. If I like a song from the 80’s I’m not going to think of myself any differently than I did before. My first memory of music was in kindergarten. I remember singing songs with the teacher and as a class. Then we would put on little shows for the parents and it would be really fun. Also, I remember all the older songs that my parents would listen to in the car together and I would remember some of the lyrics in the songs. Throughout my life my parents and other old family members have introduced me to songs that they loved when they were kids and that I ended up loving. I would say that about a quarter of the music that I listen to is songs that my parents and family members have introduced to me. I really do enjoy older songs that they liked because they all have catchy lyrics and nice beats to them. One genre that I have inherited was classic rock. My dad was the one that showed me different songs from different eras of time that are rock and they have always stuck to me as some of my favorite songs from older times. My mom has definitely showed me different pop and alternative songs from when she was growing up. I still listen to these different genres each day because they are still basically my childhood. I grew up listening to all these genres and ended up loving them. If I am looking for new music to listen to, I always end up usually looking through the classic rock section. Now most of the time I like to show my parents what kinds of songs I like and what I listen to. I’ll show them new alternative and pop artist that are new. Twenty One Pilots is my favorite alternative group and I have showed them some of my favorite songs by them. I like to show them trending artist that are popular now.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the article Mr.Gonzalez started to like the music his father listened to after awhile,even though he hated it growing up.Mr.Gonzalez probably didn’t like it because of the stereotype going around about Puerto Ricans at the time.As he was older though he sort of liked the music his father liked when Mr.Gonzalez was younger. Personally music doesn’t connect to who I am or how I see myself.I never really listened to music that my parents listened to as much.The music they listened never really made think of who I am and how I look at myself.Some people might think that but I really never listened to music that much.I can’t connect to music like other people can.Music in my personal opinion can and can't view someone’s personality and who they are.Music can show your heritage and were you come from and it can also show your culture.Music though can’t show your perosnality though and who you are.It can’t represent who you are and the type of person you are.My first memories of music aren’t of the music of what my parents listen but kids songs such as “twinkle twinkle little star”.I do agree though with what Mr.Gonzalez says about learning to like the music after a while.I honestly don’t like the music my dad listens to but after hearing so many times over the years I started to have a liking to it or I got used to hearing it after a while.If I am going to listen to music its going to be modern day music or all the other types of music people listen to.Music can connect some people,while others it cannot.
ReplyDeleteI like you opinion linking a persons heritage and the kind of music that they appreciate. I never really thought that that could play a big role in what sort of music a person likes but now that you've said it I completely agree with you.
DeleteI can relate to some of Mr. Gonzalez’s story. When my mom shows me her music from her childhood, I really like it because it’s 80’s music and appreciate that it was apart of her life. Sometimes a certain style of music or artists are connected to how I see myself, but other times it is not connected. I listen to almost all types of music because I have an appreciation for all styles and their origin. However this doesn’t mean I connect to all of these styles and artists. I personally might connect to a song that has a story or memory, because everyone has emotional memories they can relate to. It makes it even more special when the artists shares a personal experience in their “story”. I feel like when analyzing other people and the music they listen to it’s the same as myself; sometimes it could be connected and sometimes it may not be. I think it really depends if I know the person or not to judge this. For example, maybe someone who is, not physically, but a more hurt person might listen to songs where an artist is also very hurt to help them cope through it. On the other hand, you may have a generally content person who listens to the hurt artist simply because they like the beat of that song. It depends on the person and situation, which is why I’m not quick to judge someone and their music preferences. One of my earliest memories of music was Broadway. I must have been at least 4 years old at the time when my family and I went to New York City to see “The Lion King”. It was my very first Broadway show and my very first time being in a theater watching a play. When the play had began, a single lion actor went on the center of the stage and started to sing the foreign words from “The Circle of Life.” Before I knew it exotic and colorful animals were dancing down the aisle toward the stage, and my seat was right there next to them. I was completely mesmerized and amazed in the variety of African animals; the tall giraffes, majestic gazelles, the large elephants were all gracefully prancing upon the stage. When the song had finished, the room permeated with a loud disruptive noise, like if I was in the presence of thunderous clouds and a heavy rainstorm. It was the first time I had ever heard an applause from an audience. I became frightened but my mom explained that people clapped to show that they enjoyed and appreciated the performance. I clapped for every song enthusiastically after she told me that. My parents have definitely introduced me to music they liked when they were younger. They both have different taste in music. I “inherited” 80’s music from my mom (like I mentioned before) and more rock styled music from my dad. I showed my mom the Broadway production “Hamilton”, specifically the song “You’ll Be Back” and she really liked it.
ReplyDeleteI can identify with Gonzales’s story in not a lot of ways. The story of his father playing guitar when he was a little kid is very distant to me. The only times I saw my father when I was a child was when he came home after work past 8pm, since he left so early (around 5-5:30am) I never really got to see him in the morning. I don’t see being a fan of certain fan of a certain genre of music as a defining factor to a person, or as a way I see myself. I just see myself as myself and others as what they are, not what they are trying to be. If someone likes hard rock, metal, classical, dubstep, etc I don't see that as a trait, I see it as a fact. The kind of music people like is dependant on them and what they like, so why look at a person differently just because I don't appreciate the same forms of music as them? It's like criticizing a person for the kind of clothes they wear, it changes nothing. My first memories of music are either when I was an infant and my mom would play Baby Einstein all the time. The first memories of music actually having an effect on my life was when I turned to heavy metal and other “hard” forms of music such as Bring me the Horizon when I was struggling during the hard parts of my life. That was during what I call the great movement, after sandy when my family moved 8-10 times because of hurricane sandy displacing us. My parents have not really interacted with me music wise, unless you count my mom playing christian rock when I we are stuck in the car. I have not inherited anything from my parents musical wise, except my mom's hatred of Elvis. I pretty much already said this, but my mom is into christian music and I am into the exact opposite of that (metal, hard rock, etc) so it is pretty awkward when we listen to each other's music. As to the last point in this essay, I am never going to bring any other members of my family into my genre of music because I would become known throughout my family's jet fast gossip train as the satan worshipping metal fan. (maybe not that extreme but nobody would look at me the same way)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mr Gonzalez story about listening to his Dad's music as a kid.As a kid you have no say on what to listen to on the radio. So you're stuck with your parents old crappy music. I can relate to this because my mom and dad still play what they want in the car. They know I don’t like it but they don't care. The type of music I listen too isn’t connected to how i see myself. I feel music expresses me but it's not who I am. My first memories of music is from when I was watching Elmo and the theme song was the first memory I have of anything musically. The setting was in my house. My dad shows me music from when he was younger. He shows me classic songs that were hits back than. There not that bad except for a few. I havent inherited any music styles from them. Most of the songs I dont like at all or there just alright. Wouldnt pay 1.29 for something i dont like tha much. I havent brought new music into my family. I agree with Mr Gonzalez story about listening to his Dad's music as a kid.As a kid you have no say on what to listen to on the radio. So you're stuck with your parents old crappy music. I can relate to this because my mom and dad still play what they want in the car. They know I don’t like it but they don't care. The type of music I listen too isn’t connected to how i see myself. I feel music expresses me but it's not who I am. My first memories of music is from when I was watching Elmo and the theme song was the first memory I have of anything musically. The setting was in my house. My dad shows me music from when he was younger. He shows me classic songs that were hits back than. There not that bad except for a few. I havent inherited any music styles from them. Most of the songs I dont like at all or there just alright. Wouldnt pay 1.29 for something i dont like tha much. I havent brought new music into my family.
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