A Genre of Music I Don't Like

A Genre of music that doesn't necessarily appeal to me is Heavy Metal. Heavy Metal music usually has very loud, rhythmic guitar and drums. What bothers me about most Heavy Metal songs is that the singers growl or scream the lyrics. As a singer and a music teacher, I know that there are "correct" ways to do this. However, I don't think that these singing techniques are always healthy, and they can lead to many vocal problems such as nodes, polyps, or damage to your vocal cords. Also, this music is usually very loud and dark, and for me, it can be hard to listen to.
I realize that some people might love Heavy Metal. That's great! We can all have our own opinions. I think people may like how powerful the music can be. The guitar players have to move their fingers incredibly fast, and their guitar solos are really impressive. Also, the drummers are really talented because they have to use a double bass pedal, which can require a lot of coordination. While I can understand the appeal, I don't particularly like listening to Heavy Metal. If you do, maybe you can tell me some bands to listen to!

Source: https://goo.gl/yCiggQ



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Comment Below and tell me what genres you like and don't like!

Musical Role Model

         I have many role models in my life. One of my musical role models is the singer/songwriter, Sara Bareilles. She has recorded 4 studio albums and wrote the music for all of her songs. She also recently wrote the music for the Broadway Musical, "Waitress", and was very involved in its production. She plays piano, ukelele, and guitar, and sings all of her songs. She was a judge for the reality TV show, "The Sing Off" before it was cancelled. She also does covers of really great songs such as "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" and "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay".

Sara Bareilles

Source: https://goo.gl/cm6O4I

        Sara Bareilles is my role model because she is a very talented musician. She has written some outstanding songs that I love to listen to, and I am very inspired by her. She also wrote the music for a musical, which shows her versatility in songwriting. I love the lyrics of her songs, and I think they are relatable to a lot of people. I am also inspired by her drive. She is very determined and focused on her music and I find that commendable. I love her music and I hope that you check her out and enjoy her music too! I recommend the song below, "She Used to be Mine". It is from her musical, "Waitress".

"She Used to be Mine" by Sara Bareilles

source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53GIADHxVzM

About the Blogger

             My name is Kerri MacLennan and I am the Choral Director at Pentucket Regional Middle School and High School. I also teach Music in Society and Public Speaking. I went to the University of New Hampshire and graduated with a degree in Music Education in 2014. My major instrument is my voice, and I have studied and analyze music from all time periods. I am a soprano, and my favorite type of music to sing is Baroque or Classical Opera. One of my favorite performances was in the Fall of 2013 when I performed in my own Senior Recital. I sang pieces by Handel, Faure, Bernstein, Mendelsson, and Donizetti. Currently, I am a member of the Newburyport Choral Society. I enjoy being a part of that ensemble because I learn choral techniques that I can pass onto my students. When I am not singing or planning lessons, I enjoy watching TV or movies, shopping, and drinking coffee.
              I am starting this blog so that I can share my love of music with my students. I would also like to post about lesson plans, teaching strategies, tried-and-true pieces of music, and other happenings in the music education field. I hope you enjoy reading!

This is a picture of me at my Senior Recital at UNH. (Fall 2013, photo by Hannah Marlin)