Jethro Tull - Bouree

Here is a piece of music that I enjoy. The band Jethro Tull was lead by a flutist (!) named Ian Anderson.  This song is a reinterpretation of a piece by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750). After the flute states the melody with a walking bass line, the rest of the band, including drums and guitar, enter. The flute proceeds to improvise melodies over the form of the song. Parts of the flute solo remind me of the music for "Pirates of the Caribbean."

I like how the piece juxtaposes two completely different periods of musical history: a Baroque-era melody with a 20th century jazz inspired accompaniment. I also like Ian Anderson's wild extended flute techniques (can you hear how he hums while he plays the flute?).

Take the time to listen to this piece and share you thoughts by replying to this post. Please explain why you may like or dislike the piece. It is okay to say you like the piece, but I would like to know specifically what components of the piece intrigues you. Or, if you happen to not like the piece, I would like to know what makes you dislike it.

The Beatles

For anyone unfamiliar with The Beatles, here is one of their most well known songs, "Hey Jude."

From Left to Right: George Harrison, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney

If you are curious about the song, please take a quick read through the wikipedia entry:

Hey Jude

If you would like to learn more about The Beatles, I would recommend reading through either of these websites:
Wikipedia on The Beatles
Allmusic Guide on The Beatles

Welcome

Welcome all! This blog is being created primarily as a resource for my band students to find interesting links pertaining to music history and music theory. I may occasionally ask for students to reply to posts as assignments. I may also post important information (upcoming performances, playing test dates, etc.) I will be working on making this blog fun and exciting, and I hope everyone will enjoy it!