by Manuel Marino | Architecture
Gothic architecture is a design style that reached its zenith during the High Middle Ages. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was later succeeded by Renaissance architecture. Gothic structures first appeared in 12th-century France and continued well into the 16th century. This architectural style was often used in the construction of cathedrals, abbeys, palaces, and guild halls across Western Europe.
Gothic architecture is synonymous with the most magnificent structures of the Middle Ages, such as Notre-Dame de Chartres in Paris and Salisbury Cathedral in England. Although Medieval Gothic architecture can be said to have concluded with the emergence of Renaissance design, variations of Gothic architecture appeared in New England and experienced a revival during the 19th-century Gothic Revival.
The characteristics of Medieval Gothic architecture include the pointed arch, ribbed vault, and flying buttress. A significant variant of Gothic architecture is the English Gothic style, which flourished in England from 1180 to 1520. Gothic styles first crossed the channel from France and were employed in the construction of Canterbury Cathedral and Westminster Abbey. Early English Gothic is characterized by the pointed arch and lancet windows.
Lancet windows are tall, narrow windows with pointed arches. With the use of the pointed arch, … ...Read the rest.
“The Evolution of Gothic Architecture”
by Manuel Marino | Guitar, Music
Photo by dcosand
Guitar chords are formed when a combination of at least three or more notes are played simultaneously. They create harmonious sounds by pressing down specific notes on all strings together or on a combination of individual strings.
In popular music, the most commonly known instruments have six strings. Each string is tuned from the lowest pitch to the highest pitch, designated with the letters E-A-D-G-B-E. The thinnest string has the highest pitch and is called the first string, while the thickest string has the lowest pitch and is designated as the sixth string.
Some players use a finger slide to transition between pitches easily. The intervals between most strings are tuned to perfect fourths, except for the interval between the second B string and the third G string, which forms a major third.
In heavy metal and hard rock music, the tuning is slightly different. Known as Drop D tuning, the low E string is tuned to a D. This creates power tuning, where the bottom three strings become a root fifth octave, D-A-D.
The five primary chord shapes are A Major, C Major, D Major, E Major, and G Major. These major triads serve as fundamental … ...Read the rest.
“Fundamental Components Of Guitar Chords”
by Manuel Marino | Music
Photo by Alexandre Cardoso
Music is considered one of the distinguished seven fine arts, using sound as its medium. Its fundamental elements include pitch, rhythm, and dynamics, which combine to divide this art form into various genres and subgenres. In the following paragraphs, you will learn about some of the major types of music and their historical development.
First and foremost, we must mention classical music, which has been around for centuries. It began to flourish in the 12th century and continues to be composed and performed today. Countless composers and musicians have dedicated their lives to this genre, and the fruits of their labor can be enjoyed (or rather, heard) whenever you step into a concert hall, opera house, or even your local music school.
Another popular type of music is pop music, a commercial art form designed for mass consumption. It typically features catchy, short songs with simple lyrics that easily stick in people’s minds. Its appeal to a broad audience rather than a specific culture allows it to amass fans of all ages and social backgrounds.
Hip hop or hip-hop music is also highly appreciated, originating from North America and incorporating African and Latino influences. Rapping, the … ...Read the rest.
“Music Genres – A Compressed List”
by Manuel Marino | Drums, Music
Photo by AdamAtom
Electronic drums have gained immense popularity among musicians today, but this wasn’t always the case. In fact, they initially had a bit of a negative reputation. The early models didn’t sound realistic enough compared to the powerful sounds of acoustic drums Warm-up Moves Ahead Of Playing The Drums - If you aspire to be a drummer, it's essential to consider that before you start playing, you must first engage in warm-up exercises. Typically, warm-up activities for drumming involve practicing drum rudiments or rolls. That said, if you want your body to be prepared when playing the drums, it's crucial to warm up physically. It's… , and they lacked the authentic look and feel of their acoustic counterparts. In fact, the very first models that emerged in the 1980s sounded more like Star Wars effects than actual drums. However, thanks to advancements by leading companies such as Roland, Yamaha, Alesis, and Simmons, this perception has completely changed. Let’s take a look back at the evolution of electronic drums.
The concept of the electronic drum was conceived by Graeme Edge of The Moody Blues in 1971. Together with Professor Brian Groves, Edge developed the first functional electronic drum kit. … ...Read the rest.
“History of Electronic Drums”
by Manuel Marino | Arts
Photo by stormbirdstudio
Art is truly a way to achieve immortality, as demonstrated by numerous famous artists throughout history. Countless books and documentaries have focused on the pioneering artists who shaped what we now recognize as art. Given the relativity of art, modern art has always been a subject of debate and critical acclaim. The term “modern art” is said to have originated as a movement during the post-war era, and contemporary artists are those who created their masterpieces in response to this art movement.
American abstraction emerged as a prominent trend after the war era. One could argue that abstraction served as a means for artists to express something new or to start afresh after a tumultuous period of repression. This era saw New York become a hub for artists to showcase their innovative works, while California’s modern art scene also flourished with remarkable abstractions.
A pattern emerges in how modern artists attain recognition. An artist is often deemed “modern” when their work captures the attention of relentless critics. Sometimes, a single exhibition can make or break a modern artist. Generally, the more unique an artist’s style is, the more receptive critics are to their future works. Contemporary art … ...Read the rest.
“Future Prospects of Contemporary Art in This Day and Age”
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