I’ve always had a fascination with music and language, and the use of various languages in a single piece of music. I think the combination of various spoken languages creates a music of their own without any need for musical instruments. Hence, I try to include spoken languages (aside from English) in my music whenever the opportunity affords it.
My first language other than English was ‘Basic’ but that was a computer language and not a spoken language. My second language was Spanish (during the eleventh grade), but my Spanish teacher had concluded during the middle of the semester that some people just couldn’t learn languages. I was offended! After my experience with that Spanish teacher I decided to put down languages for a couple of years, until later when I served in the military and decided to embark upon learning French. I had begun to enjoy coffee at the time, and my new found love of coffee encouraged me and gave me a goal in my desire of learning of the French language. My goal was to have the full French experience, and in my mind that experience was drinking coffee at a Cafe in France while discussing politics the world and life (in French). I did achieve my goal! 🙂
My language skills have since expanded from just English, French and moved onto Hebrew and Swahili. I’ve also learned a whole slew of computer languages (I like to program and enjoy Linux). I’m now better at Hebrew than I am at French. Once again, I was able to have my authentic French experience, and it was in a host of places from Paris to Bordeaux to Nice to Marseille and countless other cities in France. Unfortunately I could never bring myself to attempt to learn Spanish again, the bad Spanish teacher that I had in the eleventh grade has scarred me and my ability to learn Spanish for life :(. Ok, I’m from San Diego, California so maybe I do know a little Spanish. 🙂
>Back to Language and Music
While in college I had heard Einstein on the Beach by Phillip Glass, and this changed my entire world. When I heard the Knee Play’s I lost my mind with excitement. Upon listening to that first Knee Play my love of spoken language, Music and Rhythms was cemented for life. Aside from Philip Glass, some of my other musical influences have included Jean Michel Jarre, Eric Serra, Steve Reich, Kraftwerk, Prince and a whole slew of other artist.