Joseph+M's+OpEd+Article

Joseph M.
 * An Introduction to True Music**

media type="file" key="joem-muckraker-2011.mp3"


 * SWITZERLAND** (refer back to example essay with the editorial)- It is inconceivable to believe that there is such thing as a limit to music; music is endless; music is designed to reflect every realm and thought of the human conscience; yet, as time has progressed, music has reached a point where the "mainstream" music has also become the music that is also the most mindless. Though the beats thrown down and the occasional (but never enough) guitar riffs are added in, the music industry is beginning to topple into a state of mindless ranting on things that are not necessarily fit to be said by the set "role models" of mankind. This is my intro to music.

As a musician and songwriter of who knows how long, I have made it my first priority to never stoop below the standards of my morality. Music shouldn't be written to appease the pop culture of American life just to gain popularity; the cheesy love songs that are overplayed, the horrible rap vibes that promote ill will upon others and degrade women; it is all just a sham. First tip of music is, write from the heart. As Robert Frost once said, "No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader". Not only is it much deeper to have music that doesn't talk about drugs and sex, but it's real. When you listen to the radio, it is hard to tell whether or not the people you are listening to actually do that much drugs or have that much sex or are in love that much; for all you know they could be nerdy as can be and just want to appear like their popular, but for some reason, people eat that stuff up. Second tip of music, do NOT stick to four chord progressions. Mix it up, be creative, and be fun. Four chord progressions are really limited and are good for rhythm guitar, but if you are going to have them, write something to go over them or just let the bass play it. Lastly, be true to yourself. This one is kind of like the first one, but it is, in a way, more important than the first. This one means do not think that experimenting with music or sounding different in music will make you frowned upon (as long as you are not Rebecca Black.. who definitely does not deserve the popularity she is getting).

Live life to your fullest and let your music reflect it.