Joni+Mitchell

As you research your selected guitarist, you will need to note some specific information from his or her life and career. Include the following in your final writing: Details for your written assignment: ,
 * Introduction
 * Biography
 * Discography
 * Legacy
 * Conclusion

Your Name: (first name, last initial): Matt M.

Write your essay here! : As you enter information, the area will expand. Make sure to check the required details of the assignment and review the rubric (link from home page) to self-assess your work.

Joni Mitchell was born on November 2, 1934. She is a Canadian folk musician and song writer. Folk music is traditional music passed down through generations with a variety of rhythmic and metric approaches. She was primarily a folk musician but incorporated elements of pop and jazz into her music. She played an acoustic guitar but her first instrument was a ukulele. She self taught herself how to play the guitar and got interested in singing at the age of nine when she was in the hospital with polio.

She had a very tough childhood. At age three her appendix burst, then she got German and Red measles. At age eight she contracted chicken pox and scarlet fever which were followed by arbitrary tonsillitis.The worst occurred at nine when she was diagnosed with polio. Her spine was "twisted like a train wreck". During her time in the hospital she began to take an interest in singing. When she went to high school she had a mediocre academic performance but flourished artistically. After high school she went to the Alberta College of Art but left after a year heading to Toronto. Unfortunately she then had an unplanned pregnancy at the age of 20 with Chuck Mitchell. The two married then divorced two years later and the child was out up for adoption. After that she completely devoted herself to making music. Years later she found her daughter, Kilauren Gibb, who had become a model.

The very first album that she released was called Song to a Seagull or Joni Mitchell. It was produced by David Crosby. Another big album by her was Blue, produced by herself. When Timothy Crouse from Rolling Stone reviewed it, he said "she has given us some of the most beautiful moments in recent popular music". She was mainly influenced folk and jazz music. Some artists that had an impact on her are Debussy, Stravinsky, Chopin, and Tchaikovsky.

Joni Mitchell created a lasting legacy. She has influenced artists as well know as Led Zeppelin, Madonna, and the Counting Crows. Madonna "worshiped her in high school". The singer/songwriter was famous for her folk music and incorporation of jazz and pop. Many of the songs provide a "social history" of the 1960's. For example, her song "Woodstock" describes the famous concert of that era. Also Mitchell made a lasting impact on other artists by fighting for artistic independence. She is a role model to other musicians who do not want to cave to the materialistic pressure of today's industry.

Mitchell made a great name for herself after surviving a crippling childhood. The time spent in the hospital helped get interested in starting a musical career. After a bumpy start with a unplanned pregnancy and a divorce she began the make a name for herself connecting with her fans. She was praised by Rolling Stone and won many musical awards. Many renowned artists have also been affected by her. All in all she made a big impact on the musical industry and showed mastery in folk/jazz music.

Works Cited

Sources : Include the source information for all of the articles or web sites that were used to complete your project. Source information is found at the end of each article in iCONN.They should also be listed in alphabetical order by the first word of the source citation. sample: "Carol Kaye." //Contemporary Musicians//. Vol. 22. Detroit: Gale, 1998. //Gale Biography In Context//. Web. 8 Jan. 2012. "Selected Websites on Carol Kaye's Life and Works." //Gale Biography in Context//. Detroit: Gale, 2008. //Gale Biography In Context//. Web. 8 Jan. 2012.

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Guitarist Research Notes Table
||= **Your Findings** //cells will expand as you enter your findings// || "Big Yellow Taxi" was released in 1970 as her first hit single. || What do you like about his/her style? || Dave Matthews shares some of the musical elements that Joni Mitchell uses. The addition of different genres makes her music interesting to listen too. Also i like her guitar playing the best (more than her singing). ||
 * ** Information Feature **
 * The guitar style I am researching is: || Folk Music ||
 * The artist I am researching is: || Joni Mitchell ||
 * This guitarist lived from __to__ ___ || Born November 2, 1934 ||
 * Define and describe the guitar style you are researching. || Acoustic ||
 * What kind of musical training did the guitarist have? || She was self taught. ||
 * What types of music influenced this artist? || Jazz, Pop ||
 * Name some musicians who influenced the guitarist you are researching. || Most romantic melodies at the time. ||
 * Has this guitarist played more than one style? If so, what other styles? || Folk, Pop, Jazz ||
 * What type of guitar does this musician play? || Acoustic ||
 * What are some interesting facts about your guitarist’s childhood? || At 3 her appendix burst, then she had German and red measles, at 8 she had chicken pox and scarlet fever, and finally at 9 she got polio. ||
 * What did this guitarist do before he became famous? || She was also a painter. ||
 * List two interesting facts about the guitarist’s life. || She has a child that she put up for adoption. She beat polio twice. ||
 * List two albums or songs your artist released, the dates they were released and why they are important. || "Day By Day" written in 1964 was her very first song.
 * Who is playing this style of music today?
 * What legacy has this guitarist left to the world of music? || Incorporation of folk and jazz into pop music and beating the odds to do what she wanted (getting polio twice). ||