The Importance of "Pop" Music

Pop music is a liberal and fuzzy category of modern music not marked by artistic considerations however by its promising fans or future market. Pop is music composed with calculated intention to influence the majority of its generation.

The original definition: “Pop” as it refers to the sound/style of certain music. In compare to music that calls for education or arrangement to realize, an important characteristic of pop music is that any person is able to find happiness in it. Artistic concepts such as composite musical form and aesthetics are not an affair in the writing of pop tunes, the key aim being fans satisfaction and profitable triumph. Although the aim of pop music is to sell records and do actually well in the charts, it doesn’t need extroverted acclaim or commercial success. There are awful or unsuccessful pop tunes.

Initially the term was an abbreviation of, and identical to, popular music, but developed about 1954 to express a particular musical category. The stylistic beginning of pop music is folk, jazz, Rhythm & Blues (R&B), rock and roll, traditional pop music. The classic instruments are bass guitar, electric guitar, drum kit and keyboard. The cultural origins date back to 1950’s in the America. It’s popular worldwide since 1960s.

The typical format of pop music is the song, frequently less than five minutes in length. The instrumentation could sort from an orchestra to a lone singer. In spite of this extroverted choice, a standard schedule in a pop band includes a drive guitarist, a bassist, a drummer (or an electronic drum machine), a keyboardist and one or more singers, usually not themselves instrumentalists.

Pop tunes are generally obvious by a deep rhythmic element, a normal style and traditional structure. The largest part common modification is strophic in form and centers on memorable melodies, catchy hooks and the request of the verse-chorus-verse arrangement, with the refrain sharply divergent the verse melodically, rhythmically and harmonically.

Lyrics in pop symphony are often simple and speak of universal experiences and feelings, moving away from inconceivable or debatable issues. The international appeal of pop was incontestable in the new millennium, with musicians from around the world influencing the type and local/regional variants merger with the mainstream. Since of 2008, pop music is now currently the most trendy style of music of youth culture, making competition with hip hop, dance and country.

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Reggae Music 101

The Beginning:
Reggae is a genre that grew out of several other musical styles, including both traditional Jamaican music, including ska and mento, and American R&B. In the early days of radio, stations were super-high-powered, and several stations from Florida and New Orleans were powerful enough to reach Jamaica. Reggae only came about as a distinct genre in the 1960s.
Characteristics of the "Riddim":
Reggae is characterized by a heavy backbeated rhythm, meaning the emphasis of the beat is on, for example, beats 2 and 4, when in 4/4 time. This backbeat is characteristic of all African-based musics and is not found in traditional European or Asian music. Reggae drummers also emphasize the third beat when in 4/4 time with a kick to the bass drum.
Rastafarianism:
Rastafarianism is a religion that is very common among Jamaicans of African descent. Many of the world's most famous reggae musicians practice this religion, and therefore many reggae lyrics reflect the beliefs and traditions of Rastafarianism.
Popularity of Reggae in the United States:
Bob Marley was reggae's best-known international ambassador. From his early days in a Rocksteady band to his later years as a Rastafari convert and political activist, Bob Marley planted himself deeply into the hearts of reggae fans throughout the world. Some people consider Marley to be exclusively responsible for the popularity of reggae worldwide, but many other artists, including Jimmy Cliff and Peter Tosh, were integral to the spread of the genre.


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The Royal Wedding Music

The music for the 2011 Royal Wedding of Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton has today been announced by representatives of Clarence House.

Two choirs, one orchestra and a fanfare team will provide the music at the wedding, which is to take place at Westminster Abbey on Friday April 29th 2011.

The bodies involved in providing the music for the ceremony are:

The Choir of Westminster Abbey
The Chapel Royal Choir
The London Chamber Orchestra
The Fanfare Team from the Central Band of the Royal Air Force & The State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry

The choirs will be directed by Mr James O’Donnell, the Organist and Master of Choristers at Westminster Abbey.

The Choir of Westminster Abbey is made up of 20 boys, who attend the Abbey’s residential Choir School, and 12 professional adult singers known as Lay Vicars.

The Chapel Royal Choir is made up of 10 Children of the Chapel – boy choristers who attend the City of London School under scholarships – and 6 professional singers known as Gentlemen-in-Ordinary. The Children wear distinctive unifroms which date from the reign of King Charles II.

The London Chamber Orchestra shall be conducted by Mr Christopher Warren-Green, the Musical Director and Principle Conductor. The orchestra will comprise 39 musicians located in the organ loft of the Abbey. The London Chamber Orchestra is the longest established professional chamber orchestra in Britain.

A Fanfare Team of seven musicians from the Central Band of the Royal Air Force will perform under the direction of Wing Commander Duncan Stubbs. The Central Band was established in 1920 and provides musical support to the Royal Air Force throughout the UK. Musicians for The Royal Air Force also serve overseas for the UK Defence Force.

The State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry comprise musicians from both The Band of The Life Guards and The Band of The Blues and Royals. The Fanfare Team of eight Trumpeters will be led by Trumpet Major Grant Sewell-Jones of The Band of The Blues and Royals. In addition to their musical duties, all Army Musicians can be called upon to act as individual augmentee soldiers in support of operations across the world.

Following the Wedding Service at Westminster Abbey, Claire Jones, the Official Harpist to HRH The Prince of Wales will perform at a Reception hosted by Her Majesty the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

The music, which has been carefully selected by Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton for their Service, will include a number of hymns in addition to some specially commissioned pieces.



Copied from: Royal Wedding 2011: Music For Wedding of Prince William & Catherine Middleton Announced | The Global Herald http://theglobalherald.com/royal-wedding-2011-music-for-wedding-of-prince-william-catherine-middleton-announced/13527/#ixzz1KsMvzZ7b


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House Music

House music is a style of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American,and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other cities such as New York City, Toronto, Montreal, London, Detroit, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Miami. It then reached Europe largely due to the infamous House Music Tour visiting England. England played a pivotal role in the development of house music throughout Europe. Since the early to mid-1990s, it has become infused in mainstream pop and dance music worldwide.

While house music does not have a direct predecessor in genre, it is considered by some to be strongly influenced by disco with elements of soul and funk.

House music is based on four-by-four dance structure, popularized by disco, frequent use of a prominent bass drum on every beat, and may feature a prominent synthesizer bassline, electronic drums, electronic effects, funk and pop samples, often with reverb- or delay-enhanced vocals.

Roger Martinez - House Music (Original Mix) VIDEO

Check out this Music Site from DISNEY

Disney Music!!!!!

My Teacher - Julius Baker - Legend of the Flute - Julliard School of Music

I sit and listen to this interview and I instantly remember being in lessons with this amazing man. He was an incredible musician and an incredible man. And what a sense of humor!!!!

I remember my first lesson with him. He was a small man. Walked into the room slowly after his lovely wife, Ruth, showed me into their home and where I would be having the lesson. He just looked at me and gestured to start playing. As I ended he remained silent for quite some time and then he finally said, "Huh, you can really play. …Sounds beautiful. I just thought you were a cute blond!" Ha ha ha ha...I just about fell over. We had a wonderful friendship and teacher/student relationship ever since.

I will truly miss him as he passed August 6, 2003.


Fantastic Video Interview with Julius

I WANT TO BE THE NEXT POP STAR !!!: Happy Halloween!!!

I WANT TO BE THE NEXT POP STAR !!!: Happy Halloween!!!: "Happy Halloween! CLICK HERE FOR Groovie Goolies Monster Mash Music Video"

Great Expectations!

NOW That's What I Call Music! 30


This is from anonymous in Burke, VA -

"How do I know what to expect from my child's music lessons?"

That's a good question! In our experience parents come to the musical table with a wide variety of expectations for their children's musical exploration. The key is this is your CHILD's musical exploration. The goals and direction should be made with your child in mind and involved. At a very young age the main goal should be that of enjoyment. This goal should not be put aside as they get older either. Music should be a positive part of each person's life whether they become an avid listener or a participating musician on any level. When we come to the table with preset expectations or personal experiences that may cloud the present circumstances and education possible we potentially set ourselves and our children up for failure.

An easy way to know if your lessons are working - are they engaged and having a good time in the lesson? Yes? Success!

The practice and dedication will come if it's built on a solid foundation of fun and excitement for the music its' self!

Keep sending in your questions!

Happy Practicing!

Shelly