Music Genres and Features: Fusion, Jazz, Classical, Pop, Folk, World, and Technology

Features of Fusion music

blend of 2 or more styles of music.

Samba

energetic drumming, layered and syncopated rhythms

Bossa nova

slower and more lyrical while keeping syncopation

Cool jazz

lightness of tone and instrumentation, flowing melodies and rich harmonies

Features of Western pop

electronic instruments— electric piano, drum machine, samples, synthesiser

Features of Electronic dance music

Harmony- Pedal, drone, static, limited number of chords, slow harmonic rhythm Rhythm and meter- loops, ostinato, layered beats, 2 and 4 bar phrasing Texture- layers, gradual changes builds in complexity

Features of Baroque music

Ornamentation, contrasting sections (loud/soft), polyphonic writing, contrapuntal texture, harpsichord continuo, sequences, Scalic passages, Trills to sustain notes in harpischord Melodies- develop sequences, conjunct/scalic, some leaps, subject/answer/countersubject, diatonic, suspensions to develop tension, ornamentation/trills to sustain notes in harpsichord Texture- alter number of parts to create variety, melody shared between instruments to create interest, concertina and Ripieno- concerto grossso, fugal opening, monophonic at start to show off soloists then can become polyphonic, imitation between instruments, complex polyphonic Harmony- pedal, suspensions, sequences, primary chords, functional, basso continuo, musical devices such as sequences, pedals and suspensions,

Features of Classical music

Less complex and clearer than Baroque music Balanced phrases, mainly homophonic texture, variety and contrast, wide range of dynamics, harpsichord replaced by piano, sonata forms Melody- often diatonic, regular/balanced phrasing, ornamentation, accented passing notes- expressive, scalic runs display technical skill, wide leaps- expressive, virtuosic to show off soloist Texture- mainly MDH, dialogue, melody shared between instruments to add interest,

Features of Early Romantic music

Large range, parallel octaves, sustain pedal, tremolo octaves, sudden dynamic changes, virtuosic writing, changing tempos, rhythmic complexity, unexpected modulations, drama created through wide leaps, expressive powerful emotions Sufferings - minor keys, dramatic chords, accented notes, strong melodies, diminished seventh chords

Harmony- chromatic, dissonant, diminished 7th, inversion Texture feature characteristic of romantic period- accompaniment in left hand, broken octaves, melody and accompaniment, pedals, MDH, alberti bass,

Baroque Vocal music (Purcell)

Ornamentation, contrasting sections with polyphonic or contrapuntal texture, harpsichord continuo/basso continuo, limited dynamics or expression written in score

Pop and rock music (Killer Queen)

Heavy metal- loud distorted guitars, shouting vocals

Folk music

melody- flattened 7th, glissando/slide, improvised, limited range, ornamentation, repetitive

Folk music

tonality- aeolian, modal,dorian

Typical instruments for Celtic tradition

Bodhran, vocals, Uillean pipes (play celtic reel), tin whistle, fiddle,

African tradition

drum (syncopated rhythms), shakers, kora,

Indian

Tumbi/mandolin type instrument, vocals (ornamented melody), Bhangra rhythms,

3 features of celtic music

double stopping, regular beat, ostinato, solos based on folk melodies, modal, ornaments, pedal/drone, pitch bends, repetitive melodies, folk dance rhythm, swung quavers,

Progressive rock

draw influence from classical music

Punk rock

short songs, basic structure, fast tempo, heavily distorted guitars, power chords, loud vocals

Disco

fast tempo

Funk

heavy emphasis on rhythms and strong bass lines

Reggae

syncopated, short and detached chords, clear simple harmonies, medium slow tempo, backbeat emphasis on beats 2 and 4

Jazz

improvisation, syncopation, blues notes/flattened 5th, chromatic/altered/substitution chords, added/extended chords, triplet crotchets

Screen/stage music

Tempo changes, stab chords, syncopated rhythms- build momentum/anticipation, modulation to change mood, ambiguous tone, leitmotifs, Accents/staccato articulations- reflect courage and defiance Slow progressing crescendo- represents confidence Increasing intensity in rhythm- builds suspense Varying orchestration depending on budget! No set structure as reflects what happens on screen- varied phrase length Wide range of dynamics and expressionNon-diatonic harmonies Dissonant chords Frequent changes in metre to reflect what is happening Quartal harmony- harmonies built on intervals of fourths- creates feeling of suspense/unresolved feelings Tempo changes Doubling of parts- when character is becoming stronger Pedal - can create tension that is resolved when released and bass note joins the chord Fanfare- good way to capture listener/open a section Pizzicato-excellent to create a different sonority from the strings

Music Technology

Stereo field Samples (breath/instruments) to create interesting sonorities Reverb, delay - create sense of space Layering- build up texture Synthesisers- create different types of timbres Loops- to build up texture Multi-tracking- allows for textural effects Parts fade in and out and panned in stereo field- to make parts more audible/to sound live Distortion Wah wah Panning Overdubbing Guitar effects- String bends, slides, pull offs (pluck string with fretting hand), vibrato Studio effects to enhance sound