Pop Music

As the title itself suggests, pop music is the most popular and listened to the music genre of all time. This genre has expanded and changed significantly over time and is now rather hard to define. In this day and age, it has evolved to include many different genres all merged into one category. For example, originally pop music started off as more of an electronic genre now it’s predominately hip-hop and rap. With many other genres too!

Jazz

Jazz music was born in America and was born ins New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th century. And I think we can all agree that it’s become one of the most popular genres of music. This music genre was mainly listened to and played within African-American communities. Jazz music is seen as representing cultural diversity, individualism and authenticness.

Rock

Rock music, also referred to as ”Rock N Roll” was created in 1955 by the talented Chuck Berry. And it was practically an overnight success! This genre has produced some of the biggest music names in the industry. With the likes of Elvis Pressley (1935 – 1977), David Bowie (1947 – 2016) and Paul McCartney (1942). The genre has grown to become extremely diverse with a whole range of themes. Usually, they are social or political.

Classical Music

This genre has its roots deeply in Western culture and became in Europe as early as the 5th Century CE. Instruments that you will typically hear in classical music include flutes, violins, violoncellos, clarinets, trumpets, bassoons, horns and timpanis. There are many extremely well-known classical songs that have become famous worldwide. Such as, ”Mozart” – Eine kleine Nachtmusik, ”Beethoven” – Für Elise, ”Puccini – ‘O mio babbino caro”’ from Gianni Schicchi, Vivaldi – The Four Seasons and many more.

Hip Hop Music

Hip Hop (also called rap music) originated in New York, United States in the early 1970s. It began at block parties because DJ would talk throughout the breaks in between each song. They needed to keep the crowd entertained so would sometimes rhyme whilst they’re talking over some instrumental music. Eventually, MC’s were introduced with the job of introducing the next music artist and talk/rhyme in the breaks. Eventually, they would do it in sync with the music and the hip hop/ rap culture kickstarted.

Reggae

The genre of reggae came about in the late 1960s and originated from Jamacia. It’s very linked to It didn’t take long for it to become an extremely popular genre of music and spread worldwide. Instruments usually included in reggae are drums, bass guitars and electric guitars. It’s known for lifting peoples spirits with its upbeat drums which create a cheerful atmosphere. It brings chaos and calms into one. So you’ll feel relaxed too. If you haven’t heard the music of some of the most famous reggae artists of all time, you must have been living under a rock. These include big names such as Bob Marley (1945 – 1981), Jimmy Cliff (1944), Peter Tosh (1944 – 1987), Dennis Brown (1957 – 1999) and so many more!

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Pop Music and Hip Ennui By Macon Holt

This book was published on December 12, 2019. It investigates pop music history and culture and provides analytical and creative resources to back the findings. It studies the common assumptions made about pop music and the changes that have happened over time. Hold highlights the diversity that you find in pop music with many different examples. How, it mainly focuses on contemporary pop music, political realities and capitalist realism.

Switch on Pop by Nate Sloan & Charlie Harding

This nonfiction book was released in 2019 and looks at pop music from a musicological perspective. It is especially useful to any aspiring songwriters, particular ones that are just starting out. But can also be useful for experienced musicians to expand their knowledge and highlight new music that they might not be familiar with yet. However, it’s also suitable for anyone who enjoys music and wants to learn more about it! It explains the basics of music construction, how popular music works and why it matters. And make sure you get your notepad out, a lot of new music terms will be mentioned!

From Pac-Man to Pop Music by Karen Collins

This book was published in 2008. Predominately, it explores interactive audio in games and new media. It covers a wide range of topics and virtually every aspect of sound and music in relation to the gaming industry. It’s full of useful facts, ingihts and ideas surrounding the use of music in video games. And it explores contemporary mass culture by bringing together contributions of academics and practitioners in the music and gaming industry.

Yeah Yeah Yeah by Bob Stanley

This book tells the story of pop music from Bill Haley to Beyonce and was published in 2013. Stanley was a music journalist before writing this book about the grand history of pop and rock music since 1950. He has a PhD in Musicology so you know his fascinating insights into the construction of music are well-informed with lots of research. Each chapter is dedicated to a different genre of music. It goes all the way back to NME’s first chart published on the 14th of November 1952. From ”Here In My Heart” by Al Martino (1952) to ”Crazy In Love” by Beyonce (2003).

Piano Book Pop & Music Hits by Mike Emerson

This book was published on April 14th by 2018 and dedicated to piano players at an intermediate to late intermediate level. It explores a huge collection of popular pop hits that piano players will enjoy. It’s a book for piano students at an intermediate to late intermediate level. You’ll find a piano sheet for so many different recent popular pop music hits. Such as Ed Sheeran ”Thinking Out Loud”, Shawn Mendes ”There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back”, Passenger ”Let Her Go” and ”Apologize” One Republic. But many more!

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