Each of us loves music in our own way. A large number of works of various genres are released monthly. Everyone downloads and listens to their favorite songs in different ways. Player, radio, TV, phone - all this and much more helps to play music.
Musical notes are with us both in reality and during sleep. Even the wind and the waves of the sea create their own sound that you want to listen to. There is a type of people who live only for music, they don't go anywhere without it. The other type, on the contrary, creates musical masterpieces.
Types and genres of music
Song types cannot be limited to a couple of categories. At a minimum, they are divided into:
- Russians.
- Foreign.
- Slow.
- Dance.
- Merry.
- Sad.
These groups can merge with each other. The types of Russian songs are different: it can be a cheerful dance composition or a slow and sad motive. Music is used to cheer up and dance, although not everyone uses it just for fun. Often a melody can cause a storm of emotions, up to tears.
Classification
Fans of listening to the new watch the release of albums of their favorite artists. Indeed, in our time, almost everyone can record their song, and the types of songs are different, one half of the audience likes it, the other does not approve and generally does not see talent in the performer. To better understand what types of songs and music are, you should pay attention to this list:
- Classical music.
- Pop music.
- Hip-hop.
- Electronic music.
- Jazz.
- Blues.
Fans of a particular genre sometimes get so sick of music that they form groups and go out to showdown. Hip-hop fans prefer to compete with each other using battles. In them they show their devotion to this style of music. Rockers are often seen sitting on bikes and drinking alcohol. Pop musicians are ordinary people who most often perform romantic types of songs that speak of love.
Classical, electra and jazz
Classical music was very popular a couple of decades ago, but even now it is not forgotten. There are not many real connoisseurs of this style who, at the opportunity, come to any corner of their country to attend a concert with live sound and hear the works of Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Bach and other great composers.
Electra music is played using a synthesizer, electric guitar. There are simply no sad motives in these melodies. Electronic playback and fun lyrics keep the younger generation moving rhythmically in the disco. In the modern world, this style occupies the first place, which uses old-style songs performed in a youthful way.
Jazz and blues are very similar to each other, sometimes it is impossible to distinguish between them. Jazz is performed by a group of musicians playing different instruments, with the main ones being wind elements. In the blues, only one instrument plays, while others create a certain color, playing along with the main performer. The songs are sung with a strong voice that can draw out and muffle the heaviest notes.
Pop, rock and hip hop
Pop songs are listened to by both children and adults. This music is considered the most popular, it is performed by famous singers and singers. This style can be sad, romantic, it will "melt" any heart. Pop music most often demonstrates feelings, love, indifference. The voices of the performers are mostly gentle and pleasant to the ear, gossip and high-profile scandals constantly curl around the stars.
The yellow press persecutes performers and sometimes publishes articles in which information does not coincide with reality. Pop lyrics are usually meaningful. Cheerful and danceable notes cheer up.
Types of songs in hip hop music are combined together with the style of RnB and rap. The first texts were written by African Americans, they told a story about a difficult life and abandoned places in America, where chaos and complete devastation are happening.
Rap, as the performers themselves say, is not sung, it is read. Wide jeans, long T-shirts, baseball caps - this is how rappers look, both black and white. Rap performers hang wide chains with various pendants around their necks.
As for rock, there are divisions within the style itself - the usual and the blues-based style. The first songs came out in the 60s. At the present time, rockers have their own traditions, which manifest themselves in the form of fights on stage, broken guitars, bottles, dousing musicians from head to toe with water. This was not the case in the last century. Rockers of the past sang about love.
Choose what you like the most. If you want, listen to everything at once. The choice is for everyone. In any case, without music, nowhere. She plays everywhere and everywhere.
Today's post is dedicated to the topic - the main musical genres. To begin with, let's define what we will consider a musical genre. After that, the actual genres will be named, and at the end you will learn not to confuse "genre" with other phenomena in music.
So the word "genre" is of French origin and is usually translated from that language as a "species" or genus. Consequently, musical genre- this is a type or, if you like, a type of musical works. No more and no less.
How do musical genres differ from each other?
How is one genre different from another? Of course, not only the name. Remember the four main parameters that help to identify a particular genre and not confuse it with some other, similar type of composition. This:
- type of artistic and musical content;
- style features of this genre;
- the vital purpose of works of this genre and the role they play in society;
- conditions under which it is possible to perform and listen (view) a musical work of a particular genre.
What does all of this mean? Well, for example, let's take as an example such a genre as "waltz". Waltz is a dance, and that already says a lot. Since this is a dance, it means that waltz music is not played every time, but precisely when it is necessary to dance (this is a matter of performance conditions). Why do they dance the waltz? Sometimes for fun, sometimes just to enjoy the beauty of plasticity, sometimes because waltz dancing is a holiday tradition (this is the thesis about life's purpose). Waltz as a dance is characterized by whirling, lightness, and therefore in its music there is the same melodic whirling and graceful rhythmic three-part, in which the first beat is strong as a push, and the two are weak, flying (this is related to stylistic and substantive moments ).
Main musical genres
Everything with a high degree of conditionality can be divided into four categories: theatrical, concert, mass-domestic and cult-ritual genres. Consider each of these categories separately and list the main musical genres that are included there.
- Theatrical genres (the main ones here are opera and ballet, in addition, operettas, musicals, musical dramas, vaudeville and musical comedies, melodramas, etc.)
- Concert genres (these are symphonies, sonatas, oratorios, cantatas, trios, quartets and quintets, suites, concertos, etc.)
- Mass genres (here we are mainly talking about songs, dances and marches in all their diversity)
- Cult and ritual genres (those genres that are associated with religious or festive rites - for example: carnival songs, wedding and funeral laments, spells, bells, etc.)
We have named almost all the main musical genres (opera, ballet, oratorio, cantata, symphony, concerto, sonata - these are the largest). They are indeed the main ones and therefore there is nothing surprising in the fact that each of these genres has several varieties.
And one more thing... We should not forget that the division of genres between these four classes is very conditional. It happens that genres wander from one category to another. For example, this happens when the real one is recreated by the composer on the opera stage (as in Rimsky-Korsakov's opera The Snow Maiden), or in some concert genre - for example, in the finale of Tchaikovsky's 4th symphony, a very famous folk song is quoted . See for yourself! If you know what this song is, write its name in the comments!
P.I. Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4 - final
Song is the most common type of vocal music. Distinguish between folk and author's (professional) song. These two types of songs constantly interact: elements of folk songs are used by composers in their work, and the most popular author's songs are folklorized. Songs also differ in genre, structure, forms of performance, spheres of existence, etc. (both everyday, lyrical and hymn, monophonic and polyphonic, solo and choral, with and without accompaniment, songs for professional singers and for mass performance, etc. . P.). In some countries, the term "song" (German. Lied, French chanson, English song) applies to .
Lyrics are usually a special genre of poetry. It is distinguished by the clarity of composition, the coincidence of syntactic and structural facets (the equality of a stanza and a complete thought, a line and a phrase). In Russian song poetry, the most common are the four-foot trochee and three-part sizes. Poems constructed in this way most often became popular songs, folk or author's (A. S. Pushkin - “Winter Road”, A. A. Delvig - “Nightingale, my Nightingale”, Ya. P. Polonsky - “Song of a Gypsy”, N A. Nekrasov - “Oh, the box is full, full ...” and others).
M. Yakovlev. "Winter Evening" (verses by A. S. Pushkin)
Songs are characterized by a special type of connection between music and words. The melody of a song is a generalized, final expression of the figurative content of the text as a whole; unlike the romance, it is not associated with individual poetic images or speech intonations of the text. At the same time, the melody and text are similar in structure; they consist of equal (in music - and the same) constructions: stanzas or couplets (often with a refrain - chorus). The internal division of the musical stanza (couplet) also corresponds to the division of the poetic stanza.
Rimbaud de Vaqueira. Estampida
The origins of the song genre go back to ancient times. In ancient art, poetry and music were not separated and existed as a single art of song. The monophonic songs of the troubadours, trouvers, minnesingers and mastersingers of the Middle Ages reveal the inextricable unity of word and melody. As a rule, the connection between the structure of the poetic and musical stanza, the unity of rhyme and melodic cadence is clearly felt in them.
The monophonic song genres also include Italian laudas, Spanish cantigas, etc. In the ars nova era in Italy and France, monophonic song forms are replaced by songs accompanied by one or more instruments. France in the 16th century the term “song” (chanson) began to be applied to polyphonic vocal works, sometimes of a program-pictorial nature (“Battle” by Janequin)
In the same period, simpler forms of polyphonic songs, gravitating towards a homophonic warehouse, also developed: Italian frottolas, villanelles and similar songs intended for home music playing. This tradition was continued in the Italian canzonettes of the late 16th-17th centuries, which had a great influence on the work of German, French and English composers. To the song genres of the XV-XVI centuries. include various religious and military songs: Hussite songs, Huguenot hymns, Protestant chants, etc.
In the 2nd half of the XVIII century. inside the song genres, a chamber song-romance crystallizes with the accompaniment of a stringed keyboard instrument. Song forms occupy a prominent place in 18th-century opera. and in other musical and theatrical genres. During the period of the French Revolution, the genre of mass revolutionary song was formed. The songs "La Marseillaise" and "Ca ira" ("Ça ira"), which arose at that time, retained their significance as artistic symbols of the liberation struggle of the people.
In the 19th century in connection with the general flourishing of lyrical art forms, as well as with the growing interest in collecting and studying folklore, song genres are intensively developing, dividing into a romance and a song proper (often in a folk spirit). The boundary between them is sometimes difficult to establish. The couplet structure is an important, but not decisive feature, since a romance can be couplet (for example, Glinka's "Do not tempt"), but a song can be non-couplet. A more accurate criterion can be the generalization of the melody of the song, which sometimes can even be performed with a different text (provided that the strophic structure and meter are preserved). Other genre features are also important. Romance is associated mainly with the lyrical sphere of feelings, the concept of "song" includes in the XIX-XX centuries. a wide range of genre varieties (satirical, dramatic song and others). Intermediate forms of song-romance, with a predominance of song features, occupy a prominent place in the work of Russian composers of the first half of the 19th century. - A. A. Alyabyeva, A. E. Varlamov, A. L. Gurilev and others. 19th century classics - from M. I. Glinka to S. V. Rachmaninov - they left relatively few songs in the exact meaning of the word, but songwriting as a type of melodic thinking, closely connected with folklore, is very characteristic of their work. This also applies to the musical heritage of many foreign composers of the 19th century: F. Schubert, I. Brahms, J. Bizet, G. Rossini, G. Verdi.
In parallel with the work of professional composers, a song tradition developed, represented by poets who themselves created (or selected from popular songs) melodies for their songs and performed them themselves. Their works were often distinguished by their bright publicism. The songs of French chansonnier poets, from P. J. Beranger to E. Pottier, were popular far beyond the borders of France.
At the beginning of the XX century. in a number of countries, the worker is experiencing an upsurge, the best examples of which have acquired international significance (the "International"). It served as one of the origins of the Soviet mass song, which also absorbed the features of folk songs, peasant and urban, Russian and Ukrainian. became one of the leading genres in Soviet musical creativity, especially during the Civil War of 1918-20, in the 30s. and during the Great Patriotic War of 1941-45. She had a great influence on other genres: opera, romance, cantata, film music. Many Soviet songs have spread abroad.
Since the 1930s the rise of the song genre is also observed in other countries; it is associated with the desire of composers to democratize creativity (G. Eisler, French composers who were members of the People's Musical Federation). Great development in the XX century. reached the pop song, performed by soloists or vocal-instrumental ensembles. In the 60-70s. in a number of countries, including the USSR, the tradition of chansonnier is being revived. The social, organizing role of modern song (above all, Soviet) is clearly revealed in the international movement for peace and social progress.
Brief history of the song. LITERATURE. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Rozanov I. N. (Introductory article), in the edition: Songs of Russian poets, M., 1936;
Livanova T. N., Essays and materials on the history of Russian musical culture, issue 1 - Essay on the fourth. Music court, theatrical and household, M., 1938;
her own, Russian poets and vocal lyrics, in the book: Ivanov G.K., Russian poetry in Russian music, M., 1966;
Asafiev B., On Russian songwriting, in the book: Selected Works, vol. 4, M., 1955;
his own, Soviet music and musical culture, ibid., vol. 5, M., 1957;
Vasina-Grossman V. A., Vocal forms, M., 1960;
Kulakovsky L., Song, its language, structure, fate, M., 1962;
Keldysh Yu. V., Russian music of the XVIII century, M., 1965, chapter 4 - From Kant to the "Russian song";
Nestiev I. V., On the music of the oral tradition, in the book: Russian artistic culture of the late XIX - early XX century, book 1, M., 1968;
Sohor A. N., The path of the Soviet song, M., 1968;
Popova T.V., About the songs of our days, M., 1969;
Levasheva O. E., Song and Romance, in the book: History of Russian Music, vol. 1, M., 1972;
Erisman G., French song, M., 1974;
Artemenko E., Russian folk lyrical song, its melody, poetic structure, syntactic phenomena, Voronezh, 1976;
Tiersot J., Histoire de la chanson populaire en France, P., 1889;
Aubry P., Trouvèreset troubadours, P., 1909;
Vetter W., Wort und Weise im deutschen Kunstlied des 17. Jahrhunderts, „ZfMw”, 1928, Jahrg. 10, No 11 - 12;
Müller-Blattau J. Das Verhältnis von Wort und Ton in der Geschichte der Musik, 1952;
beaufils M., Music du son, musique du verbe, P., 1954;
Muller G., Geschichte des deutschen Liedes vom Zeitalter des Barock bis zur Gegenwart, 1959;
Sydow A., Das Lied. Ursprung, Wesen und Wandel, Gott., ;
Ruwet N., Language, musique, poésie, P., 1972.
musical genres.
Music(Greek μουσική, adjective from Greek Μούσα - muse) - art, the means of embodying artistic images for which are sound and silence, organized in a special way in time.
Musical genre- a kind of music, musical works, distinguished by special stylistic features peculiar only to it. The concept of a genre in music stands on the border between the categories of content and form and makes it possible to judge the objective content of a work based on the complex of expressive means used. Characterizes, as a rule, the historically established genera and types of musical works. In musicology, various systems for classifying a musical genre have developed, which depend on which of the genre-causing factors is considered as the main one. Often the same work can be characterized from different points of view, or the same genre can be attributed to several genre groups. It is also possible to single out “genres within genres”, for example, various genres of vocal and instrumental music included in the opera. Opera, on the other hand, is essentially a synthetic genre that combines various art forms. Therefore, when classifying, it is necessary to keep in mind which factor or combination of several factors is decisive. Genre features can be intertwined: for example, song and dance genres. The composition of the performers and the method of performance determine the most common classification of genres. This is, first of all, the division into vocal and instrumental genres. Some genres have a complex history that makes them difficult to classify. Thus, a cantata can be both a chamber solo work and a large composition for a mixed composition (xop, soloists, orchestra).
Genre- a kind of model with which specific music is correlated. It has certain conditions of execution, purpose, form and nature of the content. So, the goal of a lullaby is to calm the baby, so “swaying” intonations and a characteristic rhythm are typical for it; in the march - all the expressive means of music are adapted to a clear step.
The simplest classification of genres is by way of execution. These are two large groups:
instrumental(march, waltz, etude, sonata, fugue, symphony);
vocal genres(aria, song, romance, cantata, opera, musical).
Another typology of genres is related with performance environment. It belongs to A. Sohor, a scientist who claims that the genres of music are:
1. Ritual and iconic(psalms, mass, requiem) - they are characterized by generalized images, the dominance of the choral principle and the same mood among the majority of listeners.
Psalm(Greek "praise") - hymns of Jewish and Christian religious poetry and prayers from the Old Testament.
Mass- the main liturgical service in the Latin rite of the Catholic Church. Consists of opening rites, Liturgy of the Word, Eucharistic Liturgy and closing rites
Requiem(lat. “dead”) - a funeral service (mass) in the Catholic and Lutheran churches, corresponds to the funeral liturgy in the Orthodox Church.
2. Mass-household genres(varieties of song, march and dance: polka, waltz, ragtime, ballad, anthem) - they are distinguished by a simple form and familiar intonations;
3. Concert genres(oratorio, sonata, quartet, symphony) - characteristic performance in a concert hall, lyrical tone as the author's self-expression;
Oratorio- a large piece of music for choir, soloists and orchestra. It differs from the opera by the absence of stage action, and from the cantata by the larger size and branching of the plot.
Sonata(ital. sound) - a genre of instrumental music, as well as a musical form called sonata form. Composed for chamber composition of instruments and piano. Usually solo or duet.
Quartet- a musical ensemble of 4 musicians, vocalists or instrumentalists.
Symphony(Greek "consonance", "euphony") - a piece of music for the orchestra. As a rule, symphonies are written for a large mixed orchestra (symphony), but there are also symphonies for string, chamber, wind and other orchestras; a choir and solo vocal voices can be introduced into the symphony.
Folk music, musical folklore, or folk music (English folk music) - the musical and poetic creativity of the people, an integral part of folk art (folklore), which exists, as a rule, in oral (non-written) form, passed down from generation to generation.
Spiritual music- musical works related to texts of a religious nature, intended for performance during a church service or at home.
Classical music(from lat. сlassicus - exemplary) - exemplary musical works of outstanding composers of past years, which have stood the test of time. Musical works written according to certain rules and canons in compliance with the necessary proportions and intended for performance by a symphony orchestra, ensemble or soloists.
Latin American music(Spanish música latinoamericana) is a generalized name for the musical styles and genres of Latin American countries, as well as the music of people from these countries who compactly live on the territory of other states and form large Latin American communities (for example, in the USA).
Blues- This is a musical style that was created by black musicians living in the United States of America. The blues was first played at the end of the nineteenth century in the southern states, in the vicinity of the Mississippi River Delta. The music of this style is very diverse, many musicians have created their own style of performance.
Jazz(English jazz) - a form of musical art that arose in the late XIX - early XX century in the United States as a result of the synthesis of African and European cultures and subsequently became widespread. Characteristic features of the musical language of jazz initially became improvisation, polyrhythm based on syncopated rhythms, and a unique set of techniques for performing rhythmic texture - swing. Further development of jazz occurred due to the development of new rhythmic and harmonic models by jazz musicians and composers.
Country(English country music from country music - rural music) - the most common variety of North American folk music, in popularity in the United States is not inferior to pop music.
Romance in music- a vocal composition written on a short poem of lyrical content, mostly love.
Electronic music(German Elektronische Musik, English Electronic music, colloquially also “electronics”) is a broad musical genre that refers to music created using electronic musical instruments and technologies (most often with the help of special computer programs).
Rock music(Eng. Rock music) - a generalized name for a number of areas of popular music. The word "rock" - (translated from English "rock, rock, swing") - in this case indicates the rhythmic sensations characteristic of these directions associated with a certain form of movement, by analogy with "roll", "twist", "swing ”, “shake” and so on. Some distinctive features of rock music, such as the use of electric musical instruments or creative self-sufficiency (it is typical for rock musicians to perform compositions of their own composition), are secondary and often misleading.
reggae(English reggae; another spelling is "reggae") - Jamaican popular music that appeared in the 1960s and became popular since the 1970s.
Pop music(English pop-music from popular music) - the direction of modern music, a type of modern mass culture. It is a separate genre of popular music, namely, an easy-to-remember song.
You have landed in the genres of music section, where we will get acquainted with each musical direction in more detail. Let's describe what it is, why it is needed and what features it has. Also at the very end there will be articles of this section, which will describe each direction in more detail.
What are genres of music
Before discussing what genres of music are, the following should be mentioned. We need a certain coordinate system in order to be able to put all the phenomena into it. The most serious and global level in this coordinate system is the concept of style or art-historical system.
There is a style of the Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque or Romanticism. Moreover, in each particular era, this concept covers all the arts (literature, music, painting, and so on).
However, music has its own categories within each style. There is a system of genres, musical forms and means of expression.
What is a genre?
Each epoch sets musicians and listeners a certain set of stages. Moreover, each site has its own rules of the game. These sites may disappear over time or remain for a while.
New groups of listeners with new interests appear - new stage platforms appear, new genres arise.
Let's say, in the era of the European Middle Ages, approximately, until the end of the 11th century, the church was the only such stage platform for professional musicians. Time and place of worship.
Here are the genres of church music. And the most important of them (Mass and Matet) will go far into the future.
If we take the late Middle Ages, the era of the Crusades, then a new scenic platform appears - a feudal castle, a feudal court of an aristocrat, a court holiday or just a place of leisure.
And here the genre of secular song arises.
For example, the 17th century literally explodes with fireworks of new musical genres. Here things arise that go far ahead of our time and will still remain after us.
For example, opera, oratorio or cantata. In instrumental music, this is an instrumental concerto. There is even such a term as a symphony. Although it may have been built a little differently than it is now.
Appear genres of chamber music. And underneath it all lies the emergence of new stage venues. For example, an opera house, a concert hall or a richly decorated salon of an urban aristocratic house.
Before you, be sure to start exploring various areas. This is then very well reflected in practice. It will be especially useful when creating something new!
musical form
The next level is musical form. How many parts are there in a work? How is each part organized, how many sections does it have, and how are they interconnected? That's what we put in the concept of musical form.
Let's say opera is a genre. But one opera can be in two acts, another in three, and there are operas in five acts.
Or a symphony.
Most familiar European symphonies are built in four movements. But let's say there are 5 movements in Berlioz's Fantastic symphony.
Expressive means
The next level is the system of musical expressive means. Melody in its unity with rhythm.
Rhythm is the deep organizing force of all musical sound. It underlies the existence of music. Because through the rhythm human life is connected with reality, with the cosmos.
Very many labor movements are rhythmic. Especially in agriculture. Rhythmically much in the processing of stone and metals.
The rhythm itself appears, perhaps, before the melody. We can say that the rhythm generalizes, and the melody individualizes.
The feeling of rhythm, as some kind of magic, arises in the very early stages of civilization. And later, in the era of antiquity, such a feeling is realized as an idea of the universal connection of phenomena, which is rhythmic.
Rhythm is associated with number. And for the Greeks, the number was an extremely important representation of the world order. And this whole notion of rhythm persisted for a very long time.
At the beginning of the 17th century, the German composer Michael Pritorius spoke of the early experiences of the Italians in opera (there was no ordered rhythm): “This music is without connections and measure. It is an insult to God's established order!"
The nature of the movement is fast, lively, moderate and calm. They also set the tone for any superstructure that takes place on them. There is also a sense of connection here. 4 sides of the character of movement, 4 cardinal directions, 4 temperaments.
If you delve even more deeply, then this is a timbre or sound coloring. Or let's say how the melody is pronounced. Distinctly divided or connected.
Melody, rhythm and everything else appears as a direct emotional response to reality. And they are formed in those infinitely distant times in the primitive communal system, when a person has not yet realized his own self in comparison with other selves or with nature.
But as soon as a class society appears, then there is a distance between one's own and other selves, between the self and nature. And then the genres of music, and musical forms, and styles already begin to form.
Genres of chamber music
Before talking about the genres of chamber music, let's deal with the direction. Chamber music is music performed by a small number of performers for a small number of listeners.
Previously, such music was often performed at home. For example, in the family circle. Hence, they came up with such a name as a chamber. Camera means room in Latin. That is, small, home or room music.
There is also such a thing as a chamber orchestra. This is such a smaller version (usually no more than 10 people) of a regular orchestra. Well, there aren't many listeners either. Usually, these are relatives, acquaintances and friends.
folk song is the simplest and most widespread genre of chamber music. Previously, very often, many grandparents sang various folk songs to their children and grandchildren. One and the same song could be sung with different words. Like adding something of my own.
However, the melody itself, as a rule, remained unchanged. Only the text of the folk song changed and improved.
Many favorite romances is also a genre of chamber music. Usually they performed a small vocal piece. It was usually accompanied by a guitar. Therefore, we are very fond of such lyrical songs with a guitar. Many of you probably know about them and have never heard of them.
Ballad- this is a kind of narration about various exploits or dramas. Ballads were often performed in taverns. As a rule, they praised the exploits of various heroes. Sometimes ballads were used before the upcoming battle to raise the morale of the people.
Of course, in such songs, some specific moments were often embellished. But in fact, without additional fantasy, the very significance of the ballad would have decreased.
Requiem is a funeral mass. Such funeral choral singing is performed in Catholic churches. We usually used the requiem as a tribute to the memory of folk heroes.
- song without Words. Usually intended for one singer as a practice exercise. For example, to develop the vocalist's voice.
Serenade- a genre of chamber music, which was performed for a beloved. Usually men performed them under the windows of their beloved women and girls. As a rule, such songs praised the beauty of the fair sex.
Genres of instrumental and vocal music
Below you will find the main genres of instrumental and vocal music. For each direction I will give you small descriptions. A little more touch on the basic definition of each type of music.
Genres of vocal music
There are several genres of vocal music. It is worth saying that the direction itself is the most ancient in the history of the development of music. After all, it is the main key for the transition of literature into music. That is, literary words began to be used in musical form.
Of course, these words played the main role. Due to what such music began to be called vocal. A little later, instrumental music appeared.
In vocal, in addition to vocals, various instruments can also be used. However, in this direction, their role is relegated to the background.
Here is a list of the main genres of vocal music:
- Oratorio- a very large work for soloists, orchestra or choir. Typically, such works dealt with religious issues. A little later, secular oratorios appeared.
- Opera- a huge dramatic work that combines the genres of instrumental and vocal music, choreography and painting. A special role here is assigned to various solo numbers (aria, monologue, and so on).
- Chamber music- was mentioned above.
Genres of instrumental music
Instrumental music- These are compositions that are performed without the participation of a vocalist. Hence the name instrumental. That is, it is performed only at the expense of instruments.
Very often, many artists in their albums use instrumentals as bonus tracks in the album. That is, several of the most popular compositions can be selected and then their versions without vocals can be recorded.
And they can be selected in full, all the songs of the album. In this case, the album is released in two versions. This is usually done to increase the value of the product and raise the price of it.
There is a list for certain genres of instrumental music:
- Dance music- usually simple dance music
- Sonata– used as a solo or duet for chamber music
- Symphony- harmonious sound for a symphony orchestra
Genres of Russian folk songs
Let's talk about the genres of Russian folk songs. They reflect all the beauty of the soul of the Russian people. Usually in such musical works the nature of the native land, heroes and ordinary workers are praised. It also mentions the joys and troubles of the Russian people.
Here is a list of the main genres of Russian folk songs:
- labor songs- sang at work to facilitate the labor activity of a person. That is, it was much easier for workers to work with such songs. They set the rhythm in the work. In such musical works, the main life of the working class people was reflected. Labor exclamations were often used for work.
- Chastushki is a very common genre of folk music. As a rule, this is a small quatrain with a repeating melody. Chastushki carried a great meaning of the Russian word. They expressed the main mood of the people.
- Calendar songs- used on various calendar holidays. For example, on Christmas or New Year's Eve. Also, this musical genre was well used in divination or when changing the seasons.
- Lullaby- gentle, simple and affectionate songs that mothers sang to their children. As a rule, in such songs, mothers introduced their children to the outside world.
- family songs- used at various family celebrations. This genre was reflected very well in weddings. It was also used at the birth of a child, sending a son to the army, and so on. It is worth saying that such songs were accompanied by a certain rite. All this together helped protect against dark forces and various troubles.
- Lyrical compositions- such works mention the difficult lot of the Russian people. For example, the hard lot of women and the hard life of ordinary peasants are often mentioned.
Genres of contemporary music
Now let's talk about the genres of modern music. There are quite a few of them. However, they all deviate from the three main trends in modern music. Here we will talk a little about them.
Rock
Rock is popular these days. Maybe not in the same way as before, but in our time it has been reliably strengthened. Therefore, it is impossible not to mention it. And the direction itself gave impetus to the birth of many genres. Here is some of them:
- folk rock- elements of folk songs are well used
- pop rock- music for a very wide audience
- Hard rock- heavier music with a sharp sound
Pop
Popular music also covers a lot of genres that are often used in modern music:
- house- electronic music played on a synthesizer
- Trance- electronic music with a predominance of sad and cosmic melodies
- Disco- dance music with copious rhythmic drum and bass sections
Rap
In recent years, rap has been gaining momentum quite well. In fact, this direction has practically no vocals. Basically, they don’t sing here, but read as it were. This is where the phrase rap came from. Here is a list of some genres:
- rapcore- a mixture of rap and heavy music
- alternative rap- a mixture of traditional rap with other genres
- Jazz rap- mix of rap and jazz
Genres of electronic music
Let's take a look at the main genres of electronic music. Of course, we won't cover everything here. However, we will analyze some of them. Here is the list:
- house(house) - appeared in the 80s of the last century. Originates from the disco of the 70s. Appeared thanks to the experiments of DJs. Main features: repetitive beat rhythm, 4×4 time signature and sampling.
- Deep house(deep house) - lighter, atmospheric music with a deep dense sound. Includes jazz and ambient elements. When creating, keyboard solo, electric organ, piano and female vocals (mostly) are used. Developed since the late 1980s. Vocals in this genre are always in a secondary place. On the first are melodies and sounds to draw the mood.
- Garage house(garage house) - the same as deep house, only vocals are taken out for the main role.
- new disco(nu disco) is a more modern musical genre based on the resurgent interest in disco music. Now it is very popular to go back to the roots. Therefore, the basis of this genre is the music of the 70s - 80s. The genre itself appeared in the early 2000s. Synthesized sounds similar to the sounds of real instruments are used to create disco from the 70s and 80s.
- Soul full house(soulful house) - the basis is taken from house with a 4x4 rhythmic pattern, as well as vocals (full or in the form of samples). The vocals here are mostly soulful and very beautiful. Plus the use of a variety of musical instruments. Such a rich presence of instruments very well enlivens the music of this genre.
Rap genres
Let's move on to consider the main genres of rap. This area is also actively developing. Therefore, it would be nice to touch on him. Here is a short list of genres:
- comedy rap- intelligent and funny music for entertainment. Has a mix of real hip-hop and casual humor. Comedy rap appeared in the 80s.
- Dirty rap- dirty rap, characterized by a pronounced heavy bass. Basically, this music is intended to plant the public at various parties.
- gangsta rap— music with a very hard sound. A genre of music appeared in the late 80s. Elements from hardcore rap were taken as the parent basis for this trend.
- hardcore rap- aggressive music with noisy samples and heavy beats. Appeared in the late 80s.
Genres of classical music
There are works divided into many genres of classical music. They became especially widespread in the 18th century. Here is a partial list of destinations:
- Overture- a short instrumental introduction to a performance, plays or works.
- Sonata- a work for chamber performers, which is used as a solo or duet. Consists of three parts connected with each other.
- Etude- a small instrumental piece designed to hone the technique of performing music.
- Scherzo- the beginning of music with a lively and rapid pace. Basically conveys to the listener comic and unexpected moments in the work.
- Opera, symphony, oratorio- they were mentioned above.
Genres of rock music
Now let's look at some genres of rock music other than those already mentioned above. Here is a short list with a description:
- gothic rock- rock music with a gothic and gloomy direction. Appeared in the early 1980s.
- Grunge- music with a solid guitar sound and gloomy depressive lyrics. Appeared sometime in the mid-1980s.
- folk rock- was formed as a result of mixing rock with folk music. Appeared in the mid 1960s.
- Viking rock- punk rock with elements of folk music. Such works reveal the history of Scandinavia and the Vikings themselves.
- trashcore- faster hardcore. Items are usually small.
Genres of sacred and secular music
Let's look at some genres of sacred and secular music. First, let's define these two areas. You will find out what it is and what is the difference. After that, let's go through several genres.
Spiritual music
Spiritual music is designed to heal the soul. Such works are used mainly in the service in churches. Therefore, some also call it church music. Here is a short list of her genres:
- Liturgy- Easter or Christmas liturgy. It is performed by the choir, and can also additionally connect individual soloists. As a rule, various scenes of events from the Holy Scriptures were inserted into the liturgical drama. Theatrical elements were often used.
- Antiphon- repetitive music performed by alternating several choral groups. For example, the same verses can be performed alternately by two faces. There are several types of antiphons. For example, festive (on holidays), sedate (Sunday), everyday, and so on.
- Rondel- was created on the original melody in the form of a special form with the next introduction of vocals to the same motive.
- proprium- part of the mass, changing depending on the church calendar.
- ordinary- unaltered part of the mass.
secular music
Secular music is recognized to show the national character of different cultures. Described mainly the main image and life of a common man. This direction of music was very common among itinerant musicians in the Middle Ages.
