Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Beat.
6 Tips to Become Great at Piano
Want to be great at piano? Use these tips to improve your skill! 1. Plan how much dedication you want. Dedicate yourself to your goals and find unchanging reasons to continue piano. Being good at piano is achieved through consistent persistence at accumulating many skills. The second most important facet to success in piano is a sense of purpose or underlying goal. The first is genetics. To keep something in the long-term it must have an unchanging reason to exist.
By Jesse Guerrero9 years ago in Beat
Music as Communication, Not a Sensation
I sang before I ever talked. Apparently, my uncle Jack was visiting my parents and I started singing "Scarborough Fair" by Simon and Garfunkel. I'd heard that song numerous times since my parents were huge fans of the duo. Of course, I didn't know how to articulate the words... but I could sing them.
By Kate Quinn9 years ago in Beat
Why Am I Here? Musics, Cultures, Emotions
I am new here. A good question to ask whenever one finds oneself in a new space, be it physical or virtual is, "Why am I here?" This is not always an easy question to answer, and can sometimes lead the witting questioner down a mountain path that leads to dead ends or disorientation.
By Thomas Graves9 years ago in Beat
Donna Summer: “I Feel Love”
It's been 40 years since the world first heard the future of music when “I Feel Love” by Donna Summer shocked us into a new sonic awakening. The electronic masterpiece — composed by Summer along with Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte — was the foundation for what was to become known as electronic dance music. Whether you loved or loathed disco, “I Feel Love” commanded everyone's attention and became a dance floor anthem during the summer of 1977. At the time, no one had previously heard anything like it. It's hypnotic melody, combined with an irresistible synthesized bass line and pulsating dance beat was musical nirvana. Summer’s sensual vocal delivery was the icing on top of the cake as she perfectly conveyed the euphoric essence of the song’s timeless and universal message of love. The first lady of love had struck gold (and platinum) again and delivered another game-changing record every bit as earth-shattering as her breakthrough hit, “Love to Love You Baby.”
By Eric Allen9 years ago in Beat
Unpacking Jay Z's '4:44'
I'll admit I was both excited and nervous to write this review. I've given quick verbal reviews for people who've asked but it’s been hard for me to sit down and write. For me, it’s overwhelming. Not only is this Jay-Z’s 13th album, but there’s just so much to unpack. The album covers literally (yeah, I’m from Jersey) everything. I can’t mess this up, but I put my nerves to the side and decided to do it. I had to formally review the album, how can I not? So I lived with the album, more so than any other project.
By Sadé Sanchez9 years ago in Beat
Music as a Healing Tool
Music is a wonderful thing. It can help you get over a breakup, help you get through a bad day, keep your spirits up when you're sick, and many other things. Artists put their souls into their music and often leave the true meaning up to interpretation. But can some songs can be used to tell the story of a struggle and help communities heal from a devastating event or tragedy?
By Kyle Stumpo9 years ago in Beat
The Sex Pistols — A Cheap Holiday in Other People's Misery
A bullet of AURAL TERRORISM. The sound of ANGER and DISILLUSIONMENT. A HAND GRENADE thrown at the MUSIC ESTABLISHMENT. Wait a second. This is just bad rock ‘n’ roll. You lied to me through the medium of canon.
By Sam Flintlock9 years ago in Beat
Top 3 K-Pop Groups To Add To Your Playlist.
Even though K-Pop has been around for a very long time, it blew up even more in the U.S after the phenomenal boy group known as BTS took home a Billboard Music Award back to South Korean. They are the first group to bring home such an achievement, but I doubt they will be the last. For those who are just getting into the K-Pop scene, here's a short list of K-Pop groups you should consider adding to your playlist.
By Anecia Lewis9 years ago in Beat
Best Goth Bands with Female Singers
Goth music has always involved hard beats, innovative electro-synth influences, and pretty dark lyrics. However, one thing that most goth music doesn't have is female vocals. For reasons beyond understanding, most goth bands don't really have female singers — or female bandmates.
By Skunk Uzeki9 years ago in Beat
5 Songs for Survivors of Sexual Abuse
Music is emotion, just as emotion is music. Music is a tool which can be used to make you feel better or worse. I guess this mostly depends on your preferences. I use music to make myself feel stronger, but also to release some of the pent up emotions I'm afraid to unleash. If I can feel through the music, maybe eventually it won't hurt anymore. On the other hand remembering makes me angry and anger gives me strength. I'm a survivor. I survived.
By The 'A' Girl9 years ago in Beat
