Week 4
This week's reeding focuses on authenticity. We read Koops's (2010) publication "Can't We Just Change the Words?" This is something that as a vocal teacher, I encounter all of the time. When I say to my students that we are going to perform or listen to something in another language, I always get some eye rolls or sighs because it is so different for a lot of my students. I always think it is important to perform a piece as it was intended to be perform. I try and provide as much contextual background and assistance in students accessing the material so it does not seem as daunting as it once did. In fact, most students end up loving the experience.
That being said, I think that while I can convince students to step out of their comfort zone in the safety of my classroom, most will not on they own time. Here is an example: not too long ago, I witnessed a group of students singing this summer's "hottest song" "Despacito" by Luis Fonsi feat. Daddy Yankee and Justin Bieber. However, instead of singing the Spanish lyrics as intended (or even attempting to decipher what they were, even if it was not 100% accurate), they added in words like "dorito" and "burrito." I asked them why they were singing it that way and they said that they saw a video of Justin Bieber singing it that way (see video below). We actually ended up having a great discussion of why it is important to sing a piece, even in passing, with as much integrity as possible, and if not, to at least not take away it's cultural identity by mocking the lyrics with food items. The students had the realization that they were actually making fun of the piece of music because they did not understand it, and that it was wrong to do so. One of them actually made a comment that Justin should not perform the song if he didn't want to take the time to learn it the right way.
Now that being said, "Despacito" would be a nice way to show elements of Puerto Rican music (including instruments and the salsa-influenced melodies, it is not an appropriate piece to explain more to my middle school students (it is about 'adult relations'), I do think the lesson learned from this experience is very valuable. I think it is important for us as educators to provide the context and understanding of musics from other cultures, and also teach students how to investigate other musics they hear on their own.
That being said, I think that while I can convince students to step out of their comfort zone in the safety of my classroom, most will not on they own time. Here is an example: not too long ago, I witnessed a group of students singing this summer's "hottest song" "Despacito" by Luis Fonsi feat. Daddy Yankee and Justin Bieber. However, instead of singing the Spanish lyrics as intended (or even attempting to decipher what they were, even if it was not 100% accurate), they added in words like "dorito" and "burrito." I asked them why they were singing it that way and they said that they saw a video of Justin Bieber singing it that way (see video below). We actually ended up having a great discussion of why it is important to sing a piece, even in passing, with as much integrity as possible, and if not, to at least not take away it's cultural identity by mocking the lyrics with food items. The students had the realization that they were actually making fun of the piece of music because they did not understand it, and that it was wrong to do so. One of them actually made a comment that Justin should not perform the song if he didn't want to take the time to learn it the right way.
Now that being said, "Despacito" would be a nice way to show elements of Puerto Rican music (including instruments and the salsa-influenced melodies, it is not an appropriate piece to explain more to my middle school students (it is about 'adult relations'), I do think the lesson learned from this experience is very valuable. I think it is important for us as educators to provide the context and understanding of musics from other cultures, and also teach students how to investigate other musics they hear on their own.
"Despacito" by Lusis Fonsi, feat. Daddy Yankee (remix with Justin Bieber)
Puerto Rico
Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Guache, Cowbell, Timbales, Guira, Drums, Electronic instruments
Koops, L. H. (2010). "Can't we just change the words?" The role of authenticity in culturally informed music education. Music Educators Journal, 97(1), 23-28.
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