Pop Music Chap1

MUSC 3385 History of Popular Music Ch 1: Themes and Streams of American Popular Music, pp. 1 - 19 Lar Name Michael D. Oystern II _______________________________________________________________

Type your responses to the following questions. Include the page number(s) in your responses. Multiple pages will be stapled together. Include this sheet. 1. How does the chapter define “popular music”? How do you define it? The books definition of “popular music” is to indicate music that is mass-reproduced and disseminated via the mass media; that has at various times been listened to by large numbers of Americans; and that typically draws upon a variety of preexisting musical traditions (page 2, 3rd edition). My definition of “popular music” is any genre of music that is the dominant factor of mass exposure to the media. 2.

Theme I. Explain how the book suggests we can critically listen to popular music. Explain what specific parts of music we can listen to. How do we use these? The book suggest to seek out the meaning in music, and its cultural significance, and its historical development. You can listen to the chords or singer to clarify pitches and key based on conscious awareness (page 2, 3rd edition). 3.

Theme II. How does pop music promote identity over a lifetime? What is stereotyping? What examples are found in pop music? Pop music promotes identity once listened to at an early age. The influence of peers also plays a factor in identity. Stereotyping is when pop music of certain styles influences certain types of people. The examples are women as sexual objects, men with violence, African Americans as thugs (page 3, 3rd edition). 4.

Them III. What types, and in what ways, has technology impacted the growth of pop music? Explain at least four examples. How has technology impacted true musicianship? Mass media helped expose pop music into mainstream. DJs use turntables to scratch records. Analog recordings mirror energy sound waves. The digital recordings break down sound waves into packets of encouraged “passive listening” and games like Guitar Hero have decreased the value of discipline of learning an instrument (page 6-8, 3rd edition). 5.

Them IV. List and explain at least four roles and careers have been created due to the music industry. How has the music industry changed from the beginning to the present? The composer and lyricist help complement the strengths of the performer. The arranger decides the instruments and selected key of the song. The A&R are responsible seek out new talent. The producer brings everything together in regards to business and engineering the sound. The music industry is more capitalistic and industrialized based on profit and lacking talent. The major labels are buying out independent labels to exploit new artists (pages 9-10, 3rd edition).

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Theme V. Explain the difference between musical “centers” and musical “periphery.” List the specific markets/demographics each represented. The musical center represents where power, capital, and control over mass media are concentrated with New York, Los Angeles, and Nashville being the main centers. The musical periphery are the smaller institutions that are excluded from mainstream. Jewish, Latin America, and African Amercian communities are considered periphery (page 10-11, 3rd Edition). Every aspect of popular music that is today regarded as American in character has sprung from imported traditions. These source traditions may be classified into three broad “streams”: European, African, and Latin. 7.

Describe the European stream. Explain the musical elements contributed to American music. How did it impact early American music? What European cultures or countries are represented in this stream? During the American Revolution the English dominated the musical genre with ballads. Broadsides were used to transcribe music. The ballads were representation of current events. Parks were the main public venues to entertain and display ballads. England, Scotland, Poland, Ireland, and Germany are the main countries represented (pages 12-13, 3rd Edition). 8.

Describe the African stream. Explain the musical elements contributed to American music. How did it impact early American music? What African cultures or countries are represented in this stream? The African Stream started in the 17th century were African slaves were brought over to America. Syncretism was created as a blend of African and European traditions. Polyrhythmic textures are found in this stream. Bases of the music was used to parody during the creation of the Minstrel Shows. The countries of Brazil, Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, and the United States were the elements of African Music (pages 15-17, 3rd Edition). 9.

Describe the Latin stream. Explain the musical elements contributed to American music. How did it impact early American music? What Latin cultures or countries are represented in this stream? Latin America flourished with their musical styles that was blended with African and European traditions. Habanera was created with an eight-beat pattern divided 3-3-2 that was later used in American Jazz. The Caribbean, South American, Cuba, and Mexico are the represented (pages 17-19). 10.

What do you think: Does our present music reinforce/promote stereotypes? Explain your response (see #3). Music today still reinforces stereotypes with media exposing and promoting the stereotype. Shows like “Love and Hip-Hop” displays ignorance with the African American communities. Country music will forever be dominated by Caucasian prominence. Pop-music is more centered around shock value or sex appeal rather than actual talent.