04 June 2014

28 May 2014 (Wednesday)

The quarter is winding down. Today was the second-to-last class and I guess most people are busy preparing for finals; only 3 people showed up -- and one had to leave early to go to the Lady Gaga concert (which actually ended up being cancelled!).


We started with one student telling about having visited the annual Northwest Folklife Festival (info) over the holiday weekend. At the festival she heard a band playing pan flutes and really liked it (video). 


I had a song that I wanted to play for one of the students who loves rock music: "Tough Girl" (video, song info) by Open Hand (info). I especially like the *sound* of the guitar, as well as the parts the guitar plays. And I like the drums on this song a lot, too.

We talked for a while about taking driving lessons and getting a driver's license in the US versus in their home countries.

Next we moved on to the first song according to today's theme ("Songs That You Relate To Your Time In Seattle"). The songs was "Learn To Fly" (video, lyrics, song info) by Foo Fighters (info). The student who chose it said it is about getting inspiration in life. The lyric "Looking to the sky" is like getting to Seattle for him. And, as in the lyrics, he learned a lot during his time in Seattle and is ready to go home. 

Coincidentally, this was the first song by the Foo Fighters he ever heard. And the first song he ever chose in The Language Of Music was a Foo Fighters song. So it's all coming full circle.

The next song was "Dark Horse" (video, lyrics, song info) by Katy Perry (info). The student who chose this song likes rap music because it makes her feel powerful and helps her let go of sadness. She doesn't pay attention to rap lyrics, she just likes the sound of the voice.

With that our time was over for the day (yes, we talked a lot today about other things than music!).

Next week is the last class until September. The theme is, naturally, "goodbye songs".