Music is enjoyed universally, in a wide variety of forms. It promotes creativity, offers a sense of achievement, and enables people to communicate in different ways. Despite its enriching effects, it is often neglected in school systems. The arts promote skills such as "project management, team building, and effective time administration" yet these programs are labeled as "secondary to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), which "robs not only students, but also parents and communities of one of the most honest public measures of student achievement and success" (Williams).
As a senior at Saint Louis University, studying biomedical engineering, mathematics, hoping to attend medical school, and working two jobs, I oftentimes forget about how much music helps me - relaxing me during periods of stress, motivating me at the gym, or keeping me attentive while studying. Beginning last Fall, I picked up one of my dusty guitars, a Takamine Jasmine JS-341, which I hadn't touched in three years, and brought it to school with me. Being able to play guitar while at school not only manages to keep me entertained and happier, but it also allows me to be more efficient in my schoolwork. This semester, I have also brought along my old electric guitar, a Yamaha Pacifica, with a black body and white pick guard. Unfortunately, I could get no sound from it, and I discovered that the wiring inside the output jack of my guitar had disconnected and was completely broken off. The engineer in me come out, and I disassembled the guitar to remove the outer covering, re-soldered the wires together, and got it to work again.
As I continue to develop my skills and learn music theory, I also want to learn about how engineering applies to music. How does an electric guitar send sound into an amplifier and produce a wide variety of noises? How does a clip-on tuner know which note a guitar is playing? What new instruments have been created in the last decade? Through my studies involving circuits, signals and systems, and programming, I hope to advance knowledge in how engineering can aid and advance the word of music. I'd like to invite you along to learn with me every week.
JV
Works Cited:
Williams, Yohuru. (2014, Nov. 17) "Rhythm and Bruise: How Cuts to Music and the Arts Hurt Kids and Communities." The Huffington Post. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/yohuru-williams/rhythm-and-bruise-how-cut_b_5838406.html
As a senior at Saint Louis University, studying biomedical engineering, mathematics, hoping to attend medical school, and working two jobs, I oftentimes forget about how much music helps me - relaxing me during periods of stress, motivating me at the gym, or keeping me attentive while studying. Beginning last Fall, I picked up one of my dusty guitars, a Takamine Jasmine JS-341, which I hadn't touched in three years, and brought it to school with me. Being able to play guitar while at school not only manages to keep me entertained and happier, but it also allows me to be more efficient in my schoolwork. This semester, I have also brought along my old electric guitar, a Yamaha Pacifica, with a black body and white pick guard. Unfortunately, I could get no sound from it, and I discovered that the wiring inside the output jack of my guitar had disconnected and was completely broken off. The engineer in me come out, and I disassembled the guitar to remove the outer covering, re-soldered the wires together, and got it to work again.
As I continue to develop my skills and learn music theory, I also want to learn about how engineering applies to music. How does an electric guitar send sound into an amplifier and produce a wide variety of noises? How does a clip-on tuner know which note a guitar is playing? What new instruments have been created in the last decade? Through my studies involving circuits, signals and systems, and programming, I hope to advance knowledge in how engineering can aid and advance the word of music. I'd like to invite you along to learn with me every week.
JV
Works Cited:
Williams, Yohuru. (2014, Nov. 17) "Rhythm and Bruise: How Cuts to Music and the Arts Hurt Kids and Communities." The Huffington Post. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/yohuru-williams/rhythm-and-bruise-how-cut_b_5838406.html
I apologize that my initial comment last week did not actually post. This is an excellent post that is well- written, interesting, and quotes your very strong source effectively. I am very much looking forward to following your blog this semester. JM
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