Instructions
Purpose: In this assignment you’ll practice your listening skills and your understanding of musical concepts, as well as develop your own musical opinions while comparing a Baroque and a contemporary composition.
Tasks: Listen carefully to both songs below, and follow the prompts below to complete your Unit 3 Listening Reflection.
Lyrics from Barbara Strozzi’s La Vendetta (Revenge):
Revenge is a sweet thing
one ill turn deserves another,
and getting back is a great delight!
In vain are excuses and reasons
to try and placate an outraged woman;
don’t believe that she will forgive you!
The woman that has never taken revenge
has peace in her mouth and war in her heart.
When taking revenge, she won’t forgive
even the most welcome lover
who adores her and wants to make up
when the fierce and proud fellow
loses respect for her.
Lyrics from Carrie Underwood’s Before He Cheats:
Right now, he’s probably slow dancin’
With a bleached-blond tramp and she’s probably gettin’ frisky
Right now, he’s probably buyin’ her some fruity little drink
‘Cause she can’t shoot whiskey
Right now, he’s probably up behind her with a pool-stick
Showin’ her how to shoot a combo
And he don’t know
I dug my key into the side of his pretty little souped-up four-wheel drdive
Carved my name into his leather seats
I took a Louisville slugger to both headlights
I slashed a hole in all four tires
Maybe next time he’ll think before he cheats
Answer the following questions. You may wish to consider the concepts and terms you’ve learned so far in the course – melody, harmony, rhythm, texture, tonality, etc. – to help you do so.
How do you think the motivations of the two women represented by the songs are similar or different based on the lyrics?
How do you think the songs are similar or different based on the accompaniment (musical background.)
Listening to both selections, how do you think we have changed in how we express emotions through music across the centuries?
Write at least 150 words, and as many as you need to answer the questions completely. Although this is an informal writing exercise that is meant to prepare you for later assignments, be sure to review your work for grammar, spelling, and full sentences before you upload it to the assignment folder.
Criteria on which you will be graded: This is an informal writing exercise that is meant as practice to prepare you for the writing assignments later in the course. If you’ve answered the questions above and followed directions, you’ll get full credit.
