Where did the phrase 'march to the beat of a different drummer' originate?
It is derived from the writings of the American philosopher Henry David Thoreau, who wrote:
"If a man loses pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured, or far away. "
Thoreau is the author of the expression, which has entered the language and appears in various forms. The form you mention is probably the most commonly heard.
"If a man loses pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured, or far away. "
Thoreau is the author of the expression, which has entered the language and appears in various forms. The form you mention is probably the most commonly heard.
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Answered
What does Walk to the beat of a different drummer mean?
It means you are an individualist , you do not follow the herd, but follow your own heart and think for yourself.
Answered
Who originally coined the phrase March Madness in regards to the NCAA basketball tournament?
Brent Musburger and March Madness March Madness is a popular term for season-ending basketball tournaments played in March (Brent Musburger is generally re…garded as the individual who first used that phrase in conjunction with the college tournament, using it during CBS Sports' coverage of the tourney back in 1982 - see below), especially those conducted by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and various state high school associations. The phrase was not associated with the college tournament in 1939, when an Illinois official wrote "A little March Madness [may] contribute to sanity." March Madness is also a registered trademark, held jointly by the NCAA and the Illinois High School Association. The trademark has sparked a pair of high-profile courtroom battles in recent years. (MORE)
Answered
Interpret this quote March to the beat of a different drummer.?
The first (but incorrect) answer to this quote was given as:"I believe that this quote saying that the individual is a conformist and follows other's opinions. Rather than for…ming his own thoughts and ideas, he simply accepts other's ideolgies in an effort to fit in. This is the opposite to the quote "marches to the beat of his own drum" which says the individual is not a conformist and creates his own opinions and ideas."However, the full quote is "If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away." The quote comes from 'Walden' by Henry David Thoreau. The quote actually means just the opposite of what the first person to answer this said. The individual is actually a nonconformist. He has chosen to go along a path different from his peers. Who is to say which direction is correct, just say that we all have our own paths and we should go where our hearts and minds guide us. (MORE)
In Children's
An Analysis of the Original Little Drummer Boy
The original "Little Drummer Boy" is a great classic of children's music. It is often played around the holidays. The story told by the song is a lovely fable. You will doubtl…ess enjoy learning about its origins.The story told by this song is really quite wonderful. Jesus Christ had been born, and a peasant boy had been summoned to the scene by some magi. The boy looked around and saw everyone giving Jesus wonderful gifts such as gold, frankincense, and myrrh. He was so poor that he could not afford to give Jesus gifts of that nature, so he played his drum for the babe instead. The boy played his drum to the best of his ability, and Jesus smiled at him in return.The song was written by Katherine Davis in 1941. She was an American teacher and composer of classical music. Her original title was "Carol of the Drum," and the song was originally based on a Czech carol. She wanted to produce rehearsal material for her amateur girls' choirs, so she gave the song all four vocal parts. She penned it under the pseudonym "C.R.W. Robinson." The von Trapp Singers were the first to record the song in 1955. The version which is popular now first appeared on an album by the Harry Simeone Chorale. That album was called Sing We Now of Christmas, and it was a huge success on both the critical and commercial levels. As a matter of fact, it quickly skyrocketed to the top of the American charts. When the album was released again, it was re-titled "The Little Drummer Boy."There is a 12th century legend called "Our Lady's Juggler". It has been retold by Anatole France and adapted into a 1902 opera by Jules Massenet. The story bears some similarity to the one being considered here. A juggler performs for a statue of the Virgin Mary, and the statue either smiles at him or throws him a rose depending on which version you hear. The statue does both of those things in the 1984 film adaptation.More recent years have seen the release of several very popular versions of the song. The 1970s version by the Brady Bunch was an especially big hit. A number of well-known secular and Christian pop artists have released versions since then. Some new artist adds the song to his or her Christmas album nearly every year. The song even appeared in a 1999 episode of "The West Wing." That episode was called "In Excelsis Deo," and it won a number of Emmys.It is easy to understand why this now-classic carol has become such a popular favorite. Its rich background seems to lend it an air of nostalgia that persists. It has a certain timelessness only a few carols enjoy. Children and adults will enjoy it for many generations to come.The song has also been recorded in other languages. In Spanish, it is known as "El Nino del Tambor." Loosely translated, that means "the boy of the drum." (MORE)
In Rock
Rush Drummer Overview
Neil Peart, was born on September 2, 1952. He is the drummer for the Canadian rock band, Rush. He has received many awards for his outstanding performances, which seem to make… the crowd go wild every time he performs. He is most well known for his stamina and interest in the hard rock-jazz theme that he has been playing for all these years. Neil is also an author, and his books have been written about his travels as the drummer for the hard rock band. Like every band, Rush has had a few flopped albums over the years. Early on in his career, Neil was a big fan of hard rock music. He was a big fan of the drummers Keith Moon and Buddy Rich. As his career grew, he found himself becoming interested in jazz music and big band musicians. His love for jazz started to show when he became a good friend of the jazz singer Freddie Gruber, in 1994. His interest in jazz music helped him become one of the most respected drummers in rock history. Neil Peart is the drummer for the band Rush. He is best known for his pyrotechnic drumming, and his ability to provide the band with lyrics since he joined in 1975. His past played a big role in the lyrics he writes today. His life though, has not always been so happy. Neil's style of drumming has been well regarded to his fans. Many have been influenced by his chosen style of drumming, such as Jon Thomas, John Bonham, and Michael Giles. His unique idea of using the butt-ends of the drumstick has made a big difference in his playing style. Neil knew the struggles of starting out in the music industry. He stated that, "When I was starting out, if I broke the tips of my sticks, I couldn't afford to buy new ones, so I would just use the back of them." This simple idea has caused his drumming skills to make him a legend in rock and roll history. Peart has used many different drum sets in his drumming career. He started out using Slingerland, which Peart himself purchased in 1974. He used it for 2 years in the band Rush, and was retired in 1977. This "vintage" drum set was put as a prize for a drumming magazine in July 1987, and was judged by Peart himself. A man named Mark Feldman, a drummer in New York, won the contest and put the set in storage until August 2009. It was then put on eBay so that Feldman could save up for funds for a community drumming school. The highest bidder, Dean Bobisud, purchased the set for $25,100 dollars. The set was then refurbished and is now in many famous drum shows in the United States. The Canadian rock band, Rush, hit a crisis on August 10, 1997, when Neil's only child, his daughter, was tragically killed in a car accident. Not more than 10 months later, his wife passed away from cancer. This caused Rush to be on an indefinite hiatus for a while so that he could recover. These tragedies prompted Neil to pursue his writing career while the touring was on hold. During this recovery, he finished his second novel, " Ghost Rider: Travels on a Healing Road" This caused the band to be on a major hold for a while so that he could recover, and in September of 2000, Neil married the famous photographer Carrie Nutall. This marriage provided some happiness at a stage of his life when, grief had taken over. After Neil recovered, Rush returned to recording more than ever, and produced the album, "Vapor Trails." This was their 17th studio album, and Neil now had more inspiration for his songwriting. A successful 2002 tour brought the band to finally return to the United States, Canada, and Mexico to perform their new songs. The final performance of the tour was considered one of the best of the bands career, and was recorded on DVD, called, "Rush in Rio." It was certified as a double-platinum only weeks after its release. With the band becoming more successful than ever, Neil's writing career skyrocketed. Even with this new found success, Neil stayed away from Meet and Greet interviews. He feared that it would make him relive the tragic details of the loss of his daughter and wife. Since the release of, "Rush in Rio", Neil's writing of his songs has become more personal to him. His live performances have been considered some of the best in rock and roll drumming history, and are considered his best to date. The band Rush is now one of the most successful bands, from Canada. Their biography" Contents Under Pressure: 30 Years of Rush" written by Martin Popoff, was released in June of 2004. The biography revealed that there was some drug use during album writing. It appears this was in the seventies though. The success of the band allowed them to tour in support their album "Snakes and Arrows" in 2007.Neil Peart has been drumming since 1974 and, continues to be an inspiration for many people today. His unique drumming style has captured the attention of all of his fans and, has won him the title of being the most influential drummer in rock history. The tragedies that have occurred in his family has given not only him, but the whole band, inspiration to write their songs on. This inspiration has made the band very successful, and hopefully will for many years to come.Neil Peart has been through a lot and, he has ended up back on his feet every time and has inspired many people. Rush has had a successful career as a band because, of Neil Peart's involvement. (MORE)
The Facts Behind the March Equinox
The March equinox is an astronomical event that takes place every year in the latter part of March. Marking the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in th…e Southern Hemisphere, the equinox occurs when the Earth's axis tilts so that it is neither directly facing or away from the sun. These kinds of astronomical events happen four times a year. These equinoxes and solstices move along the seasons we experience on the planet.An equinox is an astronomical phenomenon when the Earth's axis tilts in such a way that it is neither facing toward nor away from the sun. When the Earth's axis is facing toward the sun, the temperature on that side of the Earth is warmer. When it is facing away, it is colder. Since the sun is neither facing nor away from the axis, the temperature on Earth during this time is more moderate. The March equinox, which is the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, is also known as the vernal equinox. For the Southern Hemisphere, the March equinox signals the beginning of autumn, and is known as the autumnal equinox.The March equinox takes place in the latter end of March. It can take place as early as the 19th of the month, or as late as March 22, depending on whether or not the previous year was a leap year. The September equinox, known as the autumnal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere and the verbal equinox in the Southern Hemisphere, occurs during the same time period in September. The equinoxes are also noteworthy for having almost an even amount of daylight and nighttime, depending on the proximity to the equator. Nations closer to the North and South Poles will have varying amounts of daylight and nighttime.Originally, the date of the March equinox was set by Julius Caesar as being March 25. However, because of the Julian year was a little longer than an astronomical year, the date began to drift. Adjustments were made when the modern Gregorian calendar was created. Even now, there are times when the date of the equinox shifts, usually related to leap years.Other than equinoxes, there are also solstices. This is when the axis tilts in such a way that the Earth is either directly facing toward or away from the sun. In these instances, the temperature on that part of the world experiences more extreme temperatures. When it is facing toward the sun, it is warmer. This is called the summer solstice for the Northern Hemisphere and happens in June. When it is facing away from the sun, it is colder. This is called the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and happens in December. The solstices also mark the longest and shortest days of the year.The March equinox is the beginning of spring for the Northern Hemisphere. It is an astronomical phenomenon when the Earth's axis is neither facing towards or away from the sun. This brings the Earth more moderate temperatures. Equinoxes happen twice a year, once in March and again in September. The equinox rarely changes dates, but it will occasionally to make adjustments for the calendar year.People all over the world celebrate the different equinoxes and solstices. There are many reasons for this including religious beliefs and traditions. However, many people simply enjoy celebrating the changing seasons. The most popularly celebrated one is the summer solstice in June for the northern hemisphere. This is likely because it is the longest day of the year and is perfect for outdoor celebrations. (MORE)
In Sales
Is Your Business Using These Tired Sales Phrases?
Using tired sales phrases and quips turn consumers off. If everyone is already saying it, it's not relevant or useful. Your statements should be original and to the point. You… should avoid the following statements when creating your sales copy and website content. Your business will benefit from this decision and your sales rate should improve.This statement should be obvious. You should be providing comprehensive services centered on your area of expertise. Your customers expect that. If you have to state the obvious, perhaps you're not creative. This phrase certainly won't make consumers think you're on the cutting edge of whatever business you're in. Try being more specific. List the services you provide and invite consumers to contact you for more details.One may wonder if combining experience into years is an accurate measurement of expertise. This statement doesn't make sense, but it is used a lot. It would be better to list separate staff members and list their years of experience as individuals. Also, including specific areas of expertise and achievements is more helpful. This statement is vague and open to interpretation. It's best to skip this less than objective measurement of experience.This statement isn't objective. It is good to toot your own horn, but no one is going to believe that you're number one just because you say so. Use customer testimonials stating that your service or product is the best. However, stating that your number one is pretentious. No matter who you are, there is always someone better. Your customers know that. Show them why you're the best choice for their specific needs.This phrase makes one wonder who determines what practices are the best. Consumers don't even pay attention to this phrase. Consumers want to know what you're practices are and how these practices will meet their needs. The best practices available won't always work for each customer. Let customers know more about your process. They will be the ones to determine how good these practices really are.If you're making a business proposition, it should be valuable to someone. If it isn't, no one is going to be interested. This phrase is used most often by multi-level marketing companies. It seems to be some kind of buzzword designed to make people think that this is a professional operation offering a good deal. It rarely is. It also reeks of snake oil. Avoid this phrase at all costs.Using the same tired phrases and quotes is a huge turnoff. If you're using a template or phrase that others have used hundreds of times, you're probably not reaching anyone. It's much better to be original than to keep rehashing the same spiel. Avoid common statements and tired phrases. These cliches won't help your bottom line and consumers are already trained to tune them out.If you can't come up with something original, you can always hire the services of a professional. Advertising agencies, content companies, and freelance writers can help. These entities make a living by crafting original copy designed to inspire consumers to take action. (MORE)
What Did You Just Say? The Origins of Eight Bizarre Expressions
Among all the popular expressions we use in our language, some of them, in their literal sense, can be a bit morbid. The exact definitions of these sayings are essentially har…mless; however, some of their origins depict the often violent histories of human culture.The first recorded use of this expression was in the 1840 publication of "The Money Diggers" by Seba Smith, but was most likely popularized by Mark Twain's use in "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" in 1889. Earlier versions of this expression, which has come to mean that there is more than one way to do something, includes "there are more ways of killing a cat than by choking it with cream" in Charles Kingley's 1855 piece "Westward Ho!" The exact origin of this phrase has a few possibilities but is most commonly attributed to the use of cats in women's fashion. The "Minutes of Evidence Taken Before Committee on Bill for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 1832" reported on the practice of using cats for women's furs, and the alleged cruelty of skinning them while alive. The most accepted origin of this saying stems from naval terminology as explained in "Salty Dog Talk, The Nautical Origins of Everyday Expressions." The "dead horse" referred to the first month that sailors were at sea. Because they were paid in advance for this first month, and more than likely spent their earnings before heading out to sea, sailors considered this a time that they were working for "free." To mark the end of the month, seamen created a horse-like statue or model that they would beat and dump overboard as a celebratory gesture. The contemporary meaning of this phrase is to waste time or energy on a lost cause, and probably relates the most to the naval officers who made futile efforts to get the sailors to work hard during this month.Meaning to give someone a severe reprimand, this idiom originates in mediaeval times when alleged heretics were "hauled" or "raked" over red hot coals. Practicing unorthodox religions in the Middle Ages, when the Catholic Church became an elaborate hierarchy, was a crime punishable by death; however, not all of the accused died from this torture. Death of the criminal solidified the belief that he was, in fact, guilty. Living even after the ordeal indicated that the accused was innocent, that God intervened to spare the unfortunate soul.Used to indicate that someone will suffer a dire consequence, "heads will roll" undoubtedly evokes a very literal image. One form of punishment criminals suffered was at the hands of a headsman, whose job was to behead the convicted. The guillotine, a French device, was made of wood and boasted a very large, very sharp blade that would be suspended at the top of the guillotine with a rope. The victim would lie across the bench at the base of the structure with his or her head in the track of the blade which, when released, would also sever the head of the criminal. With both forms of decapitation, the head would fall to the ground and most likely roll a bit before stopping. This saying is typically used in the business context referring to employees who will be fired, usually as a punishment for making a tremendous error.This expression is often used as a synonym for "raising hell." Although the origins of this phrase vary, the most popular one relates to a religious event because of the capitalization of "Cain." Cain and Abel were the first sons born to Adam and Eve. Cain was a farmer and Abel a shepherd. When each of them produced an offering of their labors to God, God only accepted Abel's sacrifice of the lamb. In a fit of jealousy, Cain killed Abel and was then exiled by God. Because of this event, Cain is viewed as being the first murderer. Because one of the definitions of "raise" is to stir up or incite, "raise Cain" has evolved to mean "to create a disturbance."Each of these sayings is called an idiom. The meaning of idioms, as used in everyday language, is different from the image created by the actual words. Despite having historic roots in their creation, these and other idioms evolve over extended time and repeated use.Many of us have used these and other expressions at one time or another. While we recognize the contemporary definitions of these sayings and how to use them in our speech, it is always interesting to discover the histories behind the phrases to give us a more complete understanding of their meanings. (MORE)
In Dance Music
The Dance Beat: What it is and How to Learn It
You know the routine. You go to a club or get some music streaming at home, and before you know it, you find yourself moving rhythmically to the music. Probably, no one showed… you how to do this; it just happens without you thinking too much about it. Whenever you move like this to a song, you're responding to something called a dance beat. This can refer to two separate things, but no matter what definition you take, it provides a base for the steps or gestures you do. You can learn how to master dance beats with practice.Very generally, when you hear people say "dance beat," they're talking about the pulse, feel, or groove of the music you're listening to. Technically speaking, they're referring to the basic units of time in a piece of music, such as a quarter note, as well as which of those individual units get emphasis. Most of the time, your dance moves are directed by which beats are stressed, as well as how many beats there are in a measure. The term "dance beat" also can refer to a whole composition (set of tracks) "mixed" or put together especially for dancing. Using professional equipment such as keyboards and computer programs, musicians sometimes can mix simple pieces in as little as 10 minutes. The way you mix a dance piece dramatically affects its overall sound and effect and, as a result, how "into it" dancers get. Most people who do audio mixing have at least some basic musical training that lets the work sound coherent.When you're talking about the feeling of the music, a dance beat tells you when you should move, especially in reference to taking a step. The beat is predictable in many cases, so as a dancer, you can listen and coordinate what you're hearing to when you move your body. For many people, this tends to happen somewhat naturally, such as when you're listening to music and find yourself tapping your foot. When you're talking about a composition, a dance beat usually provides a continuous sequence you can move to. Many beats are "looped," meaning much of it repeats over and over again, which lets you enjoy and get engrossed in your dancing without worrying about things getting changed up too much. A good dance beat sets a very specific mood at a party or club, as well.Some people are naturally a little better at sensing patterns of emphasized beats in music, but you still can learn to dance on beat even if you don't consider yourself a musician or dancer. To start, you'll need to practice listening to music and clapping whenever you hear a stressed beat. Once you can do this pretty well, instead of clapping, stomp your feet. After you're comfortable moving your feet in a basic stomp, you can move your feet on the beat wherever you want based on how you feel, and you can experiment with different patterns, such as only moving on beats one and three of a four-count (one, two, three, four) beat. When you get more advanced, you can also listen to individual tracks or instruments in a song, such as the bass guitar, and try to match their specific beat instead of the beat of the whole piece--this emphasizes that instrument or track and can be really effective in getting people to view the music in a certain way. In terms of compositions, each type of beat has its own unique sound and feel. A hip hop beat, for example, sounds and feels different than a rock one, which you can show in your number and approach to the movements you pick. Watching others or taking lessons is usually the best way to learn the differences between different beat styles.Whether you're talking about units of time and their emphasis or an entire composition, probably the biggest consideration you have with beats is tempo, which is the speed of the music. Slower beats usually feel more low key or relaxed. Faster beats typically feel energetic. If your beat speed is too slow or too fast, dancing can feel unnatural or difficult, and the mood in your dance area can drag or seem insanely hyper. Good DJs can sense how people feel about the beats being played or danced to, and they'll switch up the music to cool things down or spice them up.The term "dance beat" can have two different meanings: units of time and how they are emphasized in music, or a musical work meant for people to dance to. Under the first definition, a beat's main role is to direct your movement, especially that of your feet. Under the second definition, beats let you dance continuously without worrying about interruption or change, setting the mood of your space. You can learn to dance on beat initially by listening to music and clapping the beat with your hands, then moving to stomping the beat when you're comfortable with claps. If you want to learn different beat styles, some lessons or just watching others is best. No matter what kind of dancing you're doing, you have to be mindful of tempo or speed, because a beat that is too slow or fast feels unnatural and is hard to move to well.In some music, you have what's known as a backbeat. This is where you accent or stress the "off" beats in the music. In most modern music, which tends to be in 4/4 time (four beats per measure of music, counted one, two, three, four), the backbeats are counts two and four. (MORE)
Answered
March to the beat of a different drummer?
marching to the beat of a different drummer means to like for example do what you think is right not what other people think its right. Here is a musical example: If a man do…es not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. from the "Conclusion" to WaldenI Hear a Different Drummer ChorusI hear a different drummer,I hear another beat,I'm marching to a rhythm ,From a distant street.I'd like to stay here Johnny,I'm sure your song is fine,But I hear a different drummer playing mine.It pleases me to think,That I think as I please,I'm bothered not at all,When someone disagrees.He's welcome to his song,And anytime it's played,I'll cheer the man along,But I won't join his parade.ChorusA man at Walden Pond,Began this song I hum,He learned it from his heart,Not from a hollow drum.The note he struck was brave,He sang it loud and clear,When other music plays,Only his song do I hear.Chorus (MORE)
Answered
Where did the phrase you can do it originate?
1996 Summer Olympics when Kerri Strug was preparing to do a vault with a broken ankle, the camera flashed to her coach, Bela Karolyi shouting "You can do it!" With a Russian a…ccent. It was parodied shortly thereafter by numerous Adam Sandler films, most recognizably Rob Sneider's line in "The Water Boy". (MORE)
Answered
In The Beatles
Can you name the original drummer for The Beatles?
Tommy Moore; he went with them on their first professional tour, backing singer Johnny Gentle in Scotland. (He quit after they got back.) Pete Best was their next regula…r drummer; he joined in August 1960. (MORE)
