Verse Engineering: A Compositional Analysis of World Music Cultures

Authors

Mosey Brown

Senior Project Advisor

Steven Sehman

Document Type

Project

Publication Date

Spring 2023

Keywords

music, composition, world music, folk music, ethnomusicology, music analysis, rhythm, Ireland, Bulgaria, Morocco

Abstract

This project is a creative examination of the folk music traditions of Ireland, Bulgaria, and Morocco from the perspective of a musician and composer. It consists of three original compositions inspired by these cultures with a focus on their rhythmic identity. Irish music consists of jigs and reels with a “3 feel” and “4 feel” respectively. Bulgarian music is characterized by uneven pulse with short and long beats defining accent patterns. Moroccan music uses polyrhythmic grooves in many folk and popular genres. Each piece is built upon these rhythmic elements and incorporates them into the author’s own compositional style. By combining formal analysis with creative participation, this project presents and advocates for composition as a novel form of engagement in the discipline of ethnomusicology.

(Irish file is at the download button. Bulgarian and Moroccan files are below.)

Department

Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies

Recommended Citation

Brown, Mosey, "Verse Engineering: A Compositional Analysis of World Music Cultures" (2023). WWU Honors College Senior Projects. 742.
https://cedar.wwu.edu/wwu_honors/742

Subjects - Topical (LCSH)

Ethnomusicology; Music; Composition (Music); World music; Folk music--Ireland; Folk music--Bulgaria; Folk music--Morocco; Musical analysis; Rhythm

Type

Text

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.

Language

English

Format

application/pdf