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It's Christian Charm,
Of Course Music!
Part of charm and beauty is developing a taste for aesthetics.
Not only is it important to develop your own style, but to have wide exposure to various types of music. Your local library will be helpful for you in this area if your home does not have a variety of music. Again, part of beauty is encouraging others around you to feel at ease and comfortable. By exposing yourself to a wide variety of music, you will be prepared to be gracious to others that may visit your parents that may be homesick. Being able to either listen to, enjoy or discuss those things that mean a great deal to your guest is more than being courteous, gracious, and hospitable — it is actively practicing the Golden Rule and servanthood. Just as in all things, not all music — no matter the type — is appropriate. Humanists will come attempt to destroy it. Nevertheless, there are enough samples of music available from the various types that Christians may enjoy.
| Classical |
Folk
Music (Various Countries) |
| Big Band | Dixieland |
| Bluegrass | Hymns |
| Military Marches | 1920s-1930s |
| Comical | Operetta (light) / opera |
| Psalm | Patriotic |
Big Band Era Music — This type of music was popular just before and during World War II. Both parents and their children that were young adults during this time would enjoy this type of music together. Famous names from this era would be Benny Goodman, the Dorsey Brothers, Andrew Sisters, Harry James, Phil Harris, etc. It is fairly easy to obtain a "Best of the Big Bands" audio tape and/or CD inexpensively ($3/$4). Can you see how classical music and folk music have influenced music from this era?
Bluegrass Music — This is a happy type of music. If you listen closely, you will hear how the folk music from Wales, Ireland, Scotland and England has strongly influenced it! There are plenty of types of "sampler" bluegrass music available fairly inexpensively ($3-$4) at department stores. If you have an opportunity, I would highly recommend Ricky Skaggs and his band, Kentucky Thunder.
Classical — Most individuals are familiar with classical music. If you are not already, attempt to become familiar with the styles of one or two artists that are closely associated with this branch of music like Beethoven, Brahms, Bach, Mozart, Chopin, Liszt, etc. There are plenty of 1930s-1940s movies around that will briefly expose you to their lives either prior to or as you are reading about these individuals. Try listening to these composers during dinner or supper.
Dixieland — Reminiscent in this type of music are the jigs, reels and flings from times long ago. It is a happy type of music that allows the various musicians in the band to play with the melody. Clarinet, horns, drums and a variety of other instruments are utilized. Pete Fountain is a well-known, Christian musician in this type of music.
Folk Music — Attempt to acquaint yourself with music from various countries. Have fun listening to Scottish highland dances, Irish reels, Welsh jigs, German Oompah music, Spanish Flamenco dancing, American square dancing, etc. The majority of this music is what most people would have understood long ago and have enjoyed as families, when they got together for community gatherings, etc. Folk music may also include those tunes and songs closely associated with a country like Yankee Doodle, Traditional Welsh Music, Australia's Waltzing Matilda (go here for Waltzing Matilda lyrics/tune), etc.
Hymns — This is probably one of the oldest styles of music around. From ancient times to the present, folks have utilized hymns to express thoughts and convictions that are deeply held. There are plenty of examples of hymns throughout this web site.
|
Presidents' Day |
Memorial Day |
| D-Day | Pearl Harbor Day |
| Independence Day | Veterans' Day |
| Flag Day | Thanksgiving Day |
Patriot — Military marches (see below), there are patriotic hymns and songs to remind American citizens that we, the people, are responsible for our government. We have fought and died for those things that we, as a nation, hold to be right and true even if the odds looked slim! See Yankee Doodle, Jazz/Swing from World War Two, and Patriotic Music.
Psalm — This beautiful style of music actually sings the psalms in the older testament and has been gaining popularity in recent years perhaps out of a desire to learn the psalms in the older testament by heart or for the joy of listening to many voices singing together.
Military Marches — Attempt to become familiar with military marches. They tend to be exuberant, uplifting and encouraging. The most known individual for this style of music is John Philip Sousa who has been referred to as The March King.
| Liberty Bell March, Listen |
| Washington Post March Listen |
| Stars and Stripes Forever Tune #1 Listen , Tune #2 Listen, lyrics |
| For even more military music samples check Independence Day |
1920s-1930s — This music includes a beginning of jazz like Al Jolson, Eddie Cantor, the music of Irving Berlin (e.g., Alexander's Ragtime Band), Fats Waller along with the continuation of Stephen Foster's music from the late 1800s.
Comical — There are many funny musical pieces available ... Spike Jones' Der Fuhrer, Roger Miller's You Can't Roller Skate in a Buffalo Herd, Phil Harris' Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens, etc.
Operetta (light) / opera — Mario Lanza, Katherine Grayson, The Three Tenors, Charlotte Church, etc. These highly trained voices sing music from times past.
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