Given that “music can be defined as the shaped sound between silences: the better the shape, the richer and more pleasing the sound,” consider this question: What kind of “shape” does the western classical piece “Ode to Joy” by Beethoven make compared to the shape the rap song “Love of My Life: (An Ode to Hip-Hop)” by Common is makes? (Both works should be available for free online.) In other words, what kinds of elements of sound and silence does each piece try to shape to maximum effect in its style of music? Where are they different? Where are they similar?
Review “A Beethoven Symphony” and “Hip-Hop and Rap” (chapter 6).