ONGOING PROJECTS

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Master’s Thesis, McGill University 

Department: Schulich School of Music, Department of Research.

Advisor: Prof. Robert Hasegawa

Status: forthcoming, June 2023  

Abstract: This thesis discusses prominent musical elements found in anime (Japanese animation). The resulting analyses show that several elements contribute to extramusical expression (emotion, storytelling) and meaning (aesthetics, sociocultural values, identity). The research material in this thesis situates anime music in both the topics of global pop music theory and media studies, particularly Japanese aesthetics in entertainment multimedia. Prominent musical aspects in anime music, such as the opening sequence format (“OP format”), and the timbrally bright pre-introduction (“call section”) within the OP format, are both products of my research and analysis. Other musical aspects already discussed academically or in public music theory are further analysed here, such as the “Royal Road” progression and the “Japanese augmented sixth.”  Analyses and discussions presented in this thesis benefited from academic discourse in the field of music theory, specifically pop music theory (Peres 2016, Biamonte 2010, Duinker 2019) and semiotics (Greimas 1970, Simeon 1996). 

Status: writing and presenting 

Next presentation: CUNY GSIM March 24-25 2023 [REGISTER]  

Abstract: to be published soon

Status: writing and presenting

Next presentation: Mechademia May 27-29 2023

Abstract: to be published soon

Status: editing and presenting

Abstract: Korean contemporary popular music, or K-pop, is a well-established genre having reached (or nearing) the top of the Billboard Global charts with artists such as PSY ("Gangnam Style") and groups like BTS and BLACKPINK. To this date, K-pop remains an under-researched topic in the field of music theory; in response, this paper provides a non-exhaustive collection of common musical elements heard in recent K-pop hits. Topics that may appear theory-heavy will be discussed on tier levels to make them accessible to readers of different backgrounds, from fans to researchers. The main objective of this paper is to provide new, more diverse, material for the undergraduate-level popular music theory syllabus.

Status: writing

Abstract: There are numerous pedagogical approaches one can take to improve the delivery of the undergraduate post-tonal curriculum. However, these approaches may be rendered ineffective when a curriculum uses a minuscule sample of music styles (mostly comprising mid-1950s music) to exemplify post-tonal techniques. This paper argues that adding a variety of contemporary genres (e.g., pop, rock) which use the same, or slightly altered, post-tonal techniques will result in an increase in student engagement since contemporary commercial music (CCM) may be more relevant to them. For the purpose of this paper, two prog-rock tracks which use and transform common post-tonal techniques are analysed: "Cretaceous Chasm" by the American prog-metal supergroup Blotted Science, and "The Architect" by the British prog-rock band Haken.