Aaron Copland: How We Listen

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This activity contains 3 questions.

Explain Copland’s three planes of listening to music in terms of a musical work you are familiar with. The work need not be “classical,” but it should involve some sense of musical complexity.

To create paragraphs in your essay response, type at the beginning of the paragraph, and at the end.

Copland suggests that music can express meaning for listeners, but that the particular meaning, especially for complex works, may be difficult to pin down. Referring to a variety of musical work that you are familiar with, explore the idea of meaning in music.

To create paragraphs in your essay response, type at the beginning of the paragraph, and at the end.

Copland argues that listeners should learn to understand music on the “sheerly musical plane.” What does he mean? Are you convinced by his argument? What would be required for most listeners to appreciate this “musical” plane?

To create paragraphs in your essay response, type at the beginning of the paragraph, and at the end.

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