Musical Links Investigation

Polynesian Folk vs Bruno Mars

Access Code: gzj128

“Polynesia”

● poly= many, nesia= island (greek)● Made up of over 1000 islands

scattered across the southern and central pacific ocean

● Inhabitants are called Polynesians● Population: 691,565 (not including

Hawaii)● About 118,000 square miles of land ● New Zealand, Easter Island, Hawaii

are the three corners

Polynesian triangle

Cont.

Most backed up theory:expansion out

of Taiwan between 3000-1000 BCE

through the Philippines, Indonesia,

and New Guinea, then reaching

Polynesian islands by 900 BCE

As a result, sailing and navigation

are key to polynesian culture

Where’d they come from?

Cont.

● Previously consisted of a number of different polytheistic beliefs

● Christianity became the main religion after European colonization

● Many mythologies still incorporated today

What about religion?

Volcano Goddess: Pele

Cont.

What language do they speak?

● Each island has its own individual language, still similar

● Stem from Austronesian languages

● Many languages are unfortunately dying out

Instruments

Steel Guitar

● Played horizontally● Strings plucked with one hand● Other hand changes pitch● Slide technique done with steel bar

Ukuleles

Tahitian Ukulele

Traditional ukulele

8 strings tuned:GG,CC,EE,AA

C and E strings tuned an octave up from traditional

4 strings tuned:G,C,E,A

-Soprano-Concert-Tenor-Baritone

Rhythm Instruments

Ipu hekeIpu heke ‘ole

Made from gourds in HawaiiAssociated with growth and the circle of life

(skip to 0:34)

Rhythm Instruments Cont.

‘Uli’Uli Pu’iliHigher pitched and shakier sound

Contribute to rhythm

Held by dancers

(skip to 0:30)

(skip to 0:25)

Dances

Haka

Developed by the Maori people of New Zealand

Initially considered war dances

Also considered “celebrations of life”

Performed by group; vigorous yet rhythmical foot stamping and shouting

Hawaiian Hula

Each movement has a meaning

Tells a story

Is usually slow, fluid, and peaceful like the ocean

Accompanied by oli (chant) or mele (music), as well as the instruments mentioned before

Tahitian Hula

Movements have meaning

Generally faster than Hawaiian

Incorporates more instruments than Hawaiian

(Skip to 2:30)

Poi

Involves swinging of tethered weights in rhythmic and geometric patterns

Originates in New Zealand

Poi can be made from different objects and have different effects

Israel Kamakawiwo’ole

Brief Life Summary● Born in Honolulu on May 20, 1959● Died in Honolulu on June 26, 1997● Was musically influenced by his

Uncle, a famous Hawaiian musician named Moe Keale

● Studied at the University of Hawaii at Hilo

● Was part of the Hawaiian Music Renaissance

Prominent Works

“Somewhere Over the Rainbow” was his breakthrough song, along with his Facing Future Album

Notable songs include “White Sandy Beach”, “Maui Hawaiian Sup’pa Man”, and “Kaulana Kawaihae”

Henehene Kou Aka

In the key of C

In simple common time

Is about the appreciation of someone special

Commonly played on guitar and uke

https://youtu.be/4IRTkJUlIcE

Bruno Mars

Early Life

● Born Oct. 8, 1985 in Honolulu Hawaii

● Birth name: Peter Gene Hernandez● Father was a half Puerto Rican/

half Jewish rock and roll musician while his Mother was a Filipino and Spanish singer and dancer

● Joined family band at age four as an Elvis and Michael Jackson impersonator

Education/Studies

● Raised around music; was a performer from a young age

● Graduated from President Theodore Roosevelt High School

● Moved to LA in 2003 (struggled a bit)

● Met up with Atlantic Records in 2006 but didn’t sign until 2009

● Wrote music for people like Sean Kingston, Flo Rida, and Adam Levine in the meantime

Prominent Works

Albums that became top 100 on the Billboards:

Doo-Wops and Hooligans

Unorthodox Jukebox

24K Magic

Became famous off of single, “Just the Way You Are”

Count On Me

In the key of C

In common/simple time

Is about how he will always have the back of a certain someone (not specified)

Commonly played on guitar or uke

https://youtu.be/hN5WMvtzaD8

Secondary Link

The structure:

Written in common time

In the key of C

https://youtu.be/hN5WMvtzaD8 https://youtu.be/4IRTkJUlIcE

Primary Link

Both emphasize the idea of togetherness and being there for others; called “Kokua” in Hawaiian

Commonly played with a guitar or a ukulele

Works Cited http://www.languagesgulper.com/eng/Austronesian.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poi_(performance_art)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruno_Mars

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/396035360957838704/

https://christopher-j.net/henehene-kou-aka-chords-and-lyrics/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Kamakawiwoʻole

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxFSHJR795M

https://www.sheetmusicdirect.com/se/ID_No/183206/Product.aspx

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/228979962289516772/

https://www.music-theory-for-musicians.com/time-signatures.html

https://www.alohaoutlet.com/shops/108/en/itemdetail.aspx?iid=4655

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polynesia

https://www.everyculture.com/wc/Mauritania-to-Nigeria/Polynesians.html