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Cool Stuff Blog #2

Gourd Folk Fiddle

     The Gourd Folk Fiddle was created in 19th century Maryland. The fiddle and the bow it is played with were from the slave cultural tradition on the American Plantation. The instrument was made from a skin top nailed to the body of a gourd with fifty five iron nails. It also has two slit sound holes. There is nothing extraordinary about the bow; it looks like a normal bow you would see with a violin.  I find it fascinating that instruments can be created out of gourds and still have such a beautiful sound. The Gourd Folk Fiddle sounds very similar to a violin and the way it is played on the shoulder reminds me very much of a violin. This instrument is most commonly seen in Black American Blues music. 


Lollapalooza Chile 2020


     Concerts and festivals are something that I really enjoy attending. Thousands of fans listening to the same artist(s) screaming their lyrics to the top of their lungs is just an amazing feeling if you ever get to experience going. I decided for my blog to research a South American festival that is coming up this year. It is called the Lollapalooza Chile 2020. This festival is taking place March 27-29, 2020 in Santiago, Chile. The top headliners for the show consist of Guns N Roses, Lana Del Ray, Gwen Stefani, Cage the Elephant, Charli XCX, IDLES, Martin Garrix, Rex Orange County, The Lumineers, The Strokes, and Travis Scott. General Admission tickets are around $225 each day to see two of the major artists. Going to an International Festival is definitely on my bucket list and this one seems to be one of the most popular festivals in South America. 

The Movie: Selena
     After researching South American musicians,  Selena is one artist that I remembered learning about in high school. Selena was a Mexican- American singer and songwriter who was also an actress. She had a movie made about her life which starred Jennifer Lopez as Selena. This movie was created in 1997 and the movie was basically about her father realizing that Selena had talent and it ends with her falling in love with the guitarist which makes her father angry. I remember really enjoying this movie whenever we got to watch it in Spanish class. Sadly, Selena was shot by her former manager at the young age of 23. 

Image result for selena movie


Comments

  1. WenTing YaoJanuary 20, 2020 at 5:04 PM

    I have heard of Selena. I heard that she was an inspirational artist. I did not know that the instrument used in the blues was called the gourd folk fiddle. I though it was a guitar.

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  2. Kendyl ScottJanuary 21, 2020 at 9:41 AM

    That is interesting that the Gourd Fiddle was made and created in Maryland. And it is also on my bucket list to go to the Chile Lollapalooza festival and other festivals around the world.

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  3. UnknownJanuary 21, 2020 at 10:31 AM

    I didn't know that there was a thing called the gourd fiddle, but now I want to go look at more videos of it, so thanks for that! I would also love to go to the Chile Lollapalooza festival! I've heard of it and really want to have that experience of connecting with thousands of other people from all different countries as we rock out to the same music! Sadly I don't know Selena, but I would love to learn more about her! Thanks for the introduction!
    -Katie Edge

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  4. ChristinagsJanuary 21, 2020 at 11:34 AM

    I have heard a few of Selena's songs and I think that she was a beautiful singer. Also, I'm guessing that they learned how to make the gourd fiddle from their parents or other people in their community who learned to make instruments out of gourds in Africa; very cool!

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  5. Hannah DaggerhartJanuary 21, 2020 at 1:48 PM

    I had never heard of the gourd folk fiddle. I was not expecting it to sound the way that it does, and was pleasantly surprised.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anna PettusJanuary 22, 2020 at 10:22 AM

    I have never heard of the gourd folk fiddle I would love to look into it more after reading what you found. I also have heard of Selena and have seen the movie about her and absolutely love her voice. My friends have gone to Lollapalooza in Chicago and they had so much fun, I love going to music festivals and the energy they bring.

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  7. Dr. Kelly VanemanJanuary 26, 2020 at 6:44 PM

    You know, I'm always amazed at the way that gourds can be used--not only as instruments, but as all sorts of things. The variety of gourd-based instruments is just amazing. And I'm happy to see the video about Chile--my husband's college roommate is from there, and he's invited us to come visit this year. We just have to get around to making some choices....

    ReplyDelete

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