Andrea Said:

What is good music to listen to whilst writing an essay?

We Answered:

Hey Duncan

DON'T listen to music you don't know or the radio. The radio has lots of talking going on, which will straight away confuse you. Also if you have bought a new album recently don't listen to it while doing your essay, as not knowing the tune or words will also be distracting.

I think something not too bouncy... not Black Eyed Peas or Mika... they are too dancy... they will just have you wanting to get up and dance.

Maybe listen to RnB... or old music like Beatles/Queen/Take That

x.o.x.o

Sylvia Said:

Help writing a music essay?

We Answered:

I heard this interview on National Public Radio a few months back.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story…

It may be a good place to start. Click on the Listen Now button to hear the interview. Though it is now archived on the web, it was originally a RADIO show. I think this qualifies it as a non web source. Since practically everything known to man is represented somewhere on the web, I think Your teacher is a bit unrealistic about the non web sources. If I were you, I would list sources that do not start with http, but may or may not be represented on the web somewhere. Examples: radio shows, records, books, etc.

Tammy Said:

how should i start out writing an essay about the evolution of music ?

We Answered:

Over the past 300 years, would be a bit long
I would say a better option would be doing it over last 110 years
You will be able to go in more details about classical music using tonal scales
The introduction of the Major scale, the brake through of the blues, The Beatles creating the pop culture, Hendrix creating a whole new meaning to the guitar etc
Just start at the beginning and work through it.

Edward Said:

How to write music essay academically?

We Answered:

The committee that will judge your application is looking for a paper that is suitable for publication in an academic journal. Typically 10-30 pages in length (including diagrams and musical examples).

It might be possible to revise a paper you already have from an undergraduate theory or history class, though the subject matter should be more than just regurgitating what other people said. You need to offer some new insight into whatever subject you're discussing. Depending on the topic you may need to consult either primary or secondary sources.

Generally speaking music papers are either formatted in Turabian or Chicago style. If you're not familiar with these styles consult the most recent edition of the book. It's important that you do NOT use the internet for this since there are numerous incorrect and old versions floating around. (though I've seen a few college websites that have some limited correct information but not the whole style manual.)

Just pop into your library and pick up a copy of any of the following to see an example the kind of thing they're looking for. If you have access to JSTOR just log in and look up a few articles.

Journal of Musicology
Journal of Music Theory Pedagogy
Journal of Music Theory
Perspectives in New Music
The Journal of Early Music
Journal of Musicological Research

EDIT:
The subject of the article should be something you are familiar with and have researched. As long as your subject has something to do with classical music you'll be ok, what they're really looking for with this is your ability to explore a topic in depth, consult the relavent resources to find out as much as you can about the topic, and to synthesize all of this information to say something new or interesting about that topic.
You could do an analysis a Scriabin symphony, or explore the impact of the reformation on church music in the Rennaissance and Baroque, or do a comparative analysis of modernist trends in Europe and America through the music of Stockhausen and Cage. Whatever it is it should be something you can not only write about but also that you can discuss at length in greater depth. Many graduate schools will have a panel of faculty ask you follow-up questions about your paper, try to poke holes in it to see how well you really know the subject.

Reginald Said:

Is it a good idea to listen to music whilst writing an essay?

We Answered:

I must admit when i was doing my first OU course i found that listening to classical music helped me study and write up my tma's(essays). I was actually surprised because i never liked classical music before -my type of music is heavy metal,blues,etc. and i found when i listened to it -it would distract me ( i would be singing along to it , or my head would be into the guitar rifts) but when i but Beethoven etc on it was more like background music and it actually helped me to concentrate.

Bryan Said:

I am writing an essay on Jonathan Swifts a modest proposal and am doing it on music need suggestions..?

We Answered:

Well - you could try anything by "The Young Cannibals"... sorry, couldn't resist. Check out Tom Lehr music, you may find something satirical enough in a similar vein.