Daniel Gates' Music Literacy Narrative
Music has always played an important role in my life. I grew up in a family where music was everything, regardless of whether you could play an instrument or not. It would have been impossible to avoid it. Early on, I didn’t really have a defined taste in any particular genre of music. I was relatively indifferent to what I listened to. Most of the time I would just go along with whatever my parents had on the radio, which was almost always classic rock. However, as I grew up and my appreciation for music developed further, I became fond of more and more genres of music. The 8 track that I have chosen reflects how I’ve come to know and love all the music that I do today.
“Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd
This song represents a lot of firsts in my musical journey. It embodies my musical tastes for the first half of my life. From an early age, I grew up with my parent’s love for classic rock. I was raised to love it. I was not always a big Pink Floyd fan though. In fact, I did not really care for them at all up until my first concert when my dad and I saw an Australian Pink Floyd cover band at Taft Theater in Cincinnati. Ever since that night, I have been practically obsessed with them, as well as many other classic rock bands like Led Zeppelin, The Who, and Steve Miller Band.
“Till You’re Gone” by Gabe Dixon Band
When I was seven years old my parents enrolled me in piano lessons, and I’ve been an avid pianist ever since. “Till You’re Gone” represents this huge piece in my musical voyage. Even though I stopped taking lessons right before coming to college, I still continue to learn new songs and methods every day. This song is one of my favorite piano-dominant songs even though I am still unable to play it.
“Enjoy the Ride” by Krewella
This song falls under Electronic Dance Music (EDM). This genre has only been around for a couple years, but in that short time it has easily become one of my favorites. Krewella is the artist that introduced me to this new type of music. I can remember seeing them live on Fountain Square in Cincinnati at a free concert before they exploded in the mainstream. This genre has played a huge role in my life for the past few years because both my friends and I love listening and dancing to it.
“I'm Yours/Somewhere over the Rainbow” by Straight No Chaser
This song is performed in a cappella, meaning it is made strictly with voices. This style of music was a big part of my life primarily in high school. In my four years at St. Xavier, I was a part of our two hundred person, all male choir. Each year, we went on a music trip and competed in competitions all over the United States. The majority of the time we took gold. Choir was a huge part of who I have become as a musical person.
“Blues Deluxe” by Joe Bonamassa
Ever since I was introduced to the blues, Joe Bonamassa has been one of my favorite blues artists. I’ve always loved the blues. Whether it is listening to it or playing it on the piano, I love the way it moves me. My parents were both huge blues fans, attending the Chicago Blues Festival religiously every year until I was born. Even though they no longer attend this festival, their love for the blues remains strong. I have not yet attended this festival, however, as an avid blues fan it is still one of my dreams to go to it at some point in my life.
“Knee Deep” by Zac Brown Band ft. Jimmy Buffet
This song represents my slow and gradual transition into liking country music. Growing up in a classic rock household, country music was portrayed as the devil. However, as I grew older and began to appreciate different genres of music, I learned that it wasn’t so bad after all. I have come to enjoy country music and all that it stands for. Zac Brown Band has an extremely unique sound as it seems they blend other genres with country. This song has a brilliant tropical influence fused with its original country sound. The way that Zac Brown Band is able to effortlessly merge genres together is one of the reasons why they have quickly become one of my favorite country music artists.
“Fix You” by Coldplay
This song has had a huge impact on my life. A couple years ago, both of my grandmas had passed away; and this song has been my way of coping with these sad moments in my life. Even to this day, if I am feeling upset about something that has happened in my life, I will run to this song. For example, this past October, one of my really close friends with whom I shared my love of playing piano passed away unexpectedly. At this moment, I was so lost and needed somewhere to turn. This song provided me with comfort and allowed me to push through this rough time in my life.
“Circle of Life” from The Lion King
This song has played a big role in my life for two reasons. First of all, as a kid, The Lion King was easily one of my favorite movies. I would constantly beg my parents and cousins to watch it with me over and over. I always loved the way the movie started, when the sun slowly rises up on the horizon while the “Circle of Life” plays in the background. Secondly, while in New York City on one of our many choir trips, our group attended The Lion King on Broadway. This being my first Broadway show ever, I was in awe at how the dancers moved across the stage in perfect harmony with the music. The show was everything I had hoped it would be and more.
Every person looks at music differently and experiences it in their own way. These musical experiences make-up who we are and what we stand for as an individual. Over the years, I have expanded my musical palate into loving many genres of music. I can honestly say that without the music I listen to and all the experiences that come with it, I would not be the same person I am today.
Music has always played an important role in my life. I grew up in a family where music was everything, regardless of whether you could play an instrument or not. It would have been impossible to avoid it. Early on, I didn’t really have a defined taste in any particular genre of music. I was relatively indifferent to what I listened to. Most of the time I would just go along with whatever my parents had on the radio, which was almost always classic rock. However, as I grew up and my appreciation for music developed further, I became fond of more and more genres of music. The 8 track that I have chosen reflects how I’ve come to know and love all the music that I do today.
“Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd
This song represents a lot of firsts in my musical journey. It embodies my musical tastes for the first half of my life. From an early age, I grew up with my parent’s love for classic rock. I was raised to love it. I was not always a big Pink Floyd fan though. In fact, I did not really care for them at all up until my first concert when my dad and I saw an Australian Pink Floyd cover band at Taft Theater in Cincinnati. Ever since that night, I have been practically obsessed with them, as well as many other classic rock bands like Led Zeppelin, The Who, and Steve Miller Band.
“Till You’re Gone” by Gabe Dixon Band
When I was seven years old my parents enrolled me in piano lessons, and I’ve been an avid pianist ever since. “Till You’re Gone” represents this huge piece in my musical voyage. Even though I stopped taking lessons right before coming to college, I still continue to learn new songs and methods every day. This song is one of my favorite piano-dominant songs even though I am still unable to play it.
“Enjoy the Ride” by Krewella
This song falls under Electronic Dance Music (EDM). This genre has only been around for a couple years, but in that short time it has easily become one of my favorites. Krewella is the artist that introduced me to this new type of music. I can remember seeing them live on Fountain Square in Cincinnati at a free concert before they exploded in the mainstream. This genre has played a huge role in my life for the past few years because both my friends and I love listening and dancing to it.
“I'm Yours/Somewhere over the Rainbow” by Straight No Chaser
This song is performed in a cappella, meaning it is made strictly with voices. This style of music was a big part of my life primarily in high school. In my four years at St. Xavier, I was a part of our two hundred person, all male choir. Each year, we went on a music trip and competed in competitions all over the United States. The majority of the time we took gold. Choir was a huge part of who I have become as a musical person.
“Blues Deluxe” by Joe Bonamassa
Ever since I was introduced to the blues, Joe Bonamassa has been one of my favorite blues artists. I’ve always loved the blues. Whether it is listening to it or playing it on the piano, I love the way it moves me. My parents were both huge blues fans, attending the Chicago Blues Festival religiously every year until I was born. Even though they no longer attend this festival, their love for the blues remains strong. I have not yet attended this festival, however, as an avid blues fan it is still one of my dreams to go to it at some point in my life.
“Knee Deep” by Zac Brown Band ft. Jimmy Buffet
This song represents my slow and gradual transition into liking country music. Growing up in a classic rock household, country music was portrayed as the devil. However, as I grew older and began to appreciate different genres of music, I learned that it wasn’t so bad after all. I have come to enjoy country music and all that it stands for. Zac Brown Band has an extremely unique sound as it seems they blend other genres with country. This song has a brilliant tropical influence fused with its original country sound. The way that Zac Brown Band is able to effortlessly merge genres together is one of the reasons why they have quickly become one of my favorite country music artists.
“Fix You” by Coldplay
This song has had a huge impact on my life. A couple years ago, both of my grandmas had passed away; and this song has been my way of coping with these sad moments in my life. Even to this day, if I am feeling upset about something that has happened in my life, I will run to this song. For example, this past October, one of my really close friends with whom I shared my love of playing piano passed away unexpectedly. At this moment, I was so lost and needed somewhere to turn. This song provided me with comfort and allowed me to push through this rough time in my life.
“Circle of Life” from The Lion King
This song has played a big role in my life for two reasons. First of all, as a kid, The Lion King was easily one of my favorite movies. I would constantly beg my parents and cousins to watch it with me over and over. I always loved the way the movie started, when the sun slowly rises up on the horizon while the “Circle of Life” plays in the background. Secondly, while in New York City on one of our many choir trips, our group attended The Lion King on Broadway. This being my first Broadway show ever, I was in awe at how the dancers moved across the stage in perfect harmony with the music. The show was everything I had hoped it would be and more.
Every person looks at music differently and experiences it in their own way. These musical experiences make-up who we are and what we stand for as an individual. Over the years, I have expanded my musical palate into loving many genres of music. I can honestly say that without the music I listen to and all the experiences that come with it, I would not be the same person I am today.