Study Notes on Emerging Popular Music, Electronic Innovations, and Global Filipino Arts

Introduction to Popular Music and Electronic Innovations

  • Popular Music and Electronic Innovations in Western Communities: The study of how modern music has been shaped by technological advancements and cultural trends originating in the West.

  • Rhythm: Defined as the pattern of sounds and silences in music.

Electronic Dance Music (EDM)

  • Timeline: 1960s to Present.

  • Definition: A broad category of electronically produced music designed primarily for dancing. It is typically associated with high-energy beats, DJs, and large-scale festivals.

  • Subgenres: EDM includes diverse styles such as house, techno, trance, dubstep, and drum & bass.

  • Key Examples of EDM Styles and Impact:

    • Levels (Avicii): Progressive House; credited with defining modern EDM.
    • Animals (Martin Garrix): Big Room House; known as a festival anthem.
    • We Found Love (Calvin Harris & Rihanna): EDM Pop; represented a major mainstream crossover.
    • Clarity (Zedd feat. Foxes): Electro House; a Grammy-winning hit.
    • Faded (Alan Walker): Melodic EDM; achieved global viral success.
    • Bangarang (Skrillex): Dubstep; popularized the use of heavy drops.
    • Titanium (David Guetta & Sia): Electro House; iconic vocal-driven EDM.

Retro Revival

  • Definition: A musical trend involving the return of older styles, sounds, or songs from past decades, reintroducing them to modern audiences. This involves a comeback of vintage eras often blended with contemporary production techniques.

  • Musical Philosophy: Retro music is seen as living culture rather than just history, where past beats echo in modern playlists.

  • Examples of Retro Influence:

    • Bruno Mars: Uptown Funk (Funk/Disco) and 24K Magic.
    • The Weeknd: Blinding Lights (80s Synthwave).
    • Dua Lipa: Levitating (Disco-Pop).
    • Daft Punk: Get Lucky (Funk/Disco).
    • Silk Sonic: Leave the Door Open (70s Soul/R&B).
    • Lady Gaga: Stupid Love (90s Dance-Pop).

Techniques for Music Analysis

  • Instrumentation: Identifying the specific instruments used in a piece.
  • Vocal Style: Analyzing how the song was sung.
  • Rhythm: Determining the tempo, whether it is fast or slow.
  • Production Style: Identifying the use of electronic effects.

Stages in the Development of Electronic Music

1. Magnetic Tape Recording (1940s–1950s)
  • Definition: A method of creating music by recording everyday sounds (voices, instruments, noises) onto magnetic tape and manipulating the tape to transform those sounds.
  • Characteristics:
    • Cutting and splicing tape to rearrange sounds.
    • Creating repeating loops for rhythm.
    • Changing pitch and texture by speeding up or slowing down playback.
    • Reversing tape for unusual effects.
  • Impact: Allowed any sound to be used as musical material, focusing on texture and sound design rather than melody. It led to styles such as musique concrète.
  • Technical Components (Ampex 456/AKAI): Supply Reel, Capstan, Take-up Reel, Erase Head, Record Head, Playback Head, Idler Roller, Tape Hub, and Tape Platters.
2. Synthesizers (1950s–1970s)

  • Definition: Electronic instruments that generate sound using oscillators, filters, and modulators.

  • Characteristics: Capable of imitating traditional instruments or creating new timbres; offered precise control over pitch, tone color, and dynamics.

  • Impact: Brought electronic sound into pop, rock, and film scores, shaping genres like disco, synth-pop, and progressive rock.

  • Key Synthesizers in History:

    • Theremin (1928): Invented by Leon Theremin. Played without physical contact using antennas that create electromagnetic fields. The vertical antenna raises pitch, and the horizontal antenna controls loudness. Known for eerie, wavering tones used in science fiction and horror soundtracks.
    • RCA Synthesizer (1955): An analog programmable electronic music synthesizer built by the Radio Corporation of America. Used punched paper tape to program instructions. It was very large and expensive, but proved machines could compose music without traditional instruments.
    • Moog Synthesizer (1960s): A modular analog synthesizer created by Robert Moog. Compact and more affordable than earlier machines. Used by Pink Floyd, The Beatles, and Wendy Carlos (for Switched-On Bach).
3. Computers and Digital Music (1960s to Present)
  • Definition: Music created or processed using computers, digital synthesizers, and software.
  • Characteristics:
    • Algorithmic Composition: Music generated by rules or code.
    • Digital Sampling: Recording and reusing sound snippets.
    • MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface): Standardized communication between instruments and computers.
  • Impact: Served as the foundation for EDM and hip-hop, making music creation more flexible and accessible.

Filipino Arts on the Global Stage

Filipino American (Fil-Am) Theater
  • Characteristics: A blend of Philippine indigenous and colonial traditions with US cultural influences. It explores identity, migration, colonial history, and racialization.
  • Core Themes:
    • Colonial History: Spanish and American colonization, the Filipino-American War, and independence struggles.
    • Identity and Diaspora: Negotiating identity in the US, immigrant labor, and generational conflicts.
    • Social Justice: Racism and representation in American theater.
    • Cultural Memory: Retelling myths and folk traditions in modern contexts.
Key Filipino Performers
  • Lea Salonga: The first Asian actress to play Éponine and Fantine in Les Misérables on Broadway. She provided the singing voices for Princess Jasmine (Aladdin) and Mulan (Mulan). Awards include the Tony, Olivier, and Drama Desk awards.
  • Rachelle Ann Go: Known for roles in Miss Saigon (Gigi), Les Misérables (Fantine), and Hamilton (Eliza Schuyler). Performing in London, New York, and Manila.
  • Jose Llana: Debuted in The King and I (1996) as Lun Tha; appeared in Flower Drum Song, Rent, and Spelling Bee.
Contemporary Dance
  • Definition: A blend of jazz, ballet, and modern dance emphasizing improvisation. Filipino companies integrate these with folk movements and indigenous music.
  • Reasons for Blending Techniques:
    1. Heritage Preservation: Traditional stories are reimagined for modern audiences.
    2. Global Reliability: Using techniques like floorwork makes performances accessible internationally.
    3. Innovation: Fusion encourages experimentation and unique dance identities.
    4. Youth Connection: Modern adaptations resonate with younger generations.
    5. Cultural Pride: Showcasing Filipino artistry reinforces pride in local heritage.

Social Media and Visual Arts

  • Influence of Social Media on Dance:

    • TikTok: Viral dance challenges; remixing global trends with OPM (Original Pilipino Music).
    • YouTube: Tutorials and virtual collaborations.
    • Instagram: Reels showcasing rehearsals and storytelling.

  • Characteristics of Modern Visual Arts:

    • Evolution from traditional forms (paint, stone) to digital platforms (film, design, photography).
    • Multimedia and New Media: Combining text, sound, video, and images using digital tools like tablets and VR (Virtual Reality).
    • Interactive Art: Includes VR (entire digital worlds via headsets) and AR (Augmented Reality, adding digital layers to real life).

  • Types of Visual Arts in Modern Context:

    1. Digital Painting and Concept Art: Using software like Krita, Procreate, or Photoshop. Artists design heroes and landscapes for video games and films. In the Philippines, illustrators highlight cultural themes like fiestas or the jeepney.
    2. Infographics: Visual tools combining text, charts, and images. They consist of Visuals, Content (brief and punchy), Data (research), and Narrative (storytelling).
    3. Phone Art and Social Media Art: Creating and sharing works via platforms like Instagram, Behance, and TikTok. Hardware used includes tablets, laptops, and smartphones. Software includes Pixlr, Canva, and Blender.

Western Visual Arts and Global Influences

  • Drawing and Painting: Transition from paper to digital tablets and AI-powered tools.
  • Sculpting and Installation: Mixing traditional materials with sensors, digital projections, and AI-designed 3D models.
  • Print and Design: Traditional techniques inspire modern graphic designs made via Canva and Photoshop.
  • Photography: Integration of AI, CGI, and advanced editing, often shared via Pinterest and Instagram.