MUS 101
Music appreciation
Section-3
Assignment on Western music (25/03/22)
ISHRAK QUADIR
2110422
WESTERN MUSIC
Introduction
Music from Europe, the United States, and other parts of the world impacted by European
immigration is referred to as Western music. Western music is one of several separate, highly
developed musical cultures, each with its own theoretical underpinning, which includes, among
other things, tunings and scales, preferred soundscapes (tone colors), melodic hook approach,
and unique musical textures. Other major musical systems, such as those of India, Indonesia,
Islamic culture, China, and Japan, coexist with Western music.
Western music is a kind of country music written by and for individuals who settled and worked
in the western United States and western Canada. Western music pays tribute to the cowboy's
way of life on the broad meadows, rugged mountains, and landscapes of western North America.
Art music in Western culture has a long and illustrious history. Western music refers to
civilizations whose musical systems are based on Pythagoras' and his school's philosophy and
science. Music and musical instruments are unlike any other kind in terms of religious, symbolic,
and social components. The ancient Greeks were the first European civilisation to use
mathematics and fundamental science laboratory gadgets like the monochord to study acoustics.
Origin of western music
Western music has its roots principally in Greek and Roman antiquity. Before this, there was
music in almost every direction. Regardless, music was an integral component of the ancient
Greeks' lives. The power of music was discussed by Greek philosophers. The folk music
traditions of England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland had a direct influence on Western music, and
many cowboy ballads, such as "Streets of Laredo," sung around campfires in the eighteenth
century, may be traced back to European folk tunes. Appalachian music, also known as country
or hillbilly music, emerged at the same time as Western music in Appalachia and the
Appalachian highlands.
Genres of Western Music
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There are 10 genres of western music and these are as follows:
Religious music (Gregorian chant, choral music, organ).
Classical music.
Folk music
Gospel, Blues and Jazz (African-American folk).
Latin music.
Country (branched out of folk music).
Rock (branched out of blues), includes Heavy Metal.
Electronic music.
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Hip-hop (branched out of Electronic music), Trap.
And the major genres among them are:
1. Classical Music: The origins of Western Classical Music may be traced back to Europe.
Classical music is defined as music composed between the post-Baroque and pre-Romantic
periods (1750-1830). This style is frequently classified according to the time in which it was
created: Baroque, Romantic, Medieval, Renaissance, and Modern. It focuses mostly on
operatic singers and classical symphonies. It is distinguished by nature's organized music,
which is ornamented with clarity and balance.
2. Pop Music: Although it is commonly referred to as a unique genre with dancing and
rhythm at its center, it is often used in place of "Popular music" available, liked by the
general public, and propagated via communications. Pop music as a genre developed in the
late 1990s or early 2000s, and its sound was heavily influenced by Rap and R&B. Its
evolution, combined with the introduction of television reality programs, created the type of
music that exists now, allowing it to be recognized as a distinct genre. During this time,
Michael Jackson defined Pop music, earning him the title of "King of Pop.
Prior to being classified as a distinct genre, and also at times presently, pop music is divided
further into sub genres:
1. Blues: The Blues mostly derives its influence from African music. In the early 18 and 19th
centuries The Blues is mostly influenced by African music. When Africans were transported
to America as slaves in the early 18th and 19th centuries, their music accompanied them. It
made their labor and life easier by singing together, which is why this genre is frequently
sluggish and mournful. It was mostly performed acoustically. Later, once slavery was
abolished, some immigrants sung it as hymns, while others produced dancing melodies to
make a living. This genre gave rise to a variety of forms, including jazz, soul, hip hop, and
R&B. Not only so, but in the late 1940s, the introduction of several instruments and their
inclusion into Blues music transformed the genre itself. The most well-known practitioners
of this genre include, Muddy Waters, Son House, T-Bone Walker, Robert Johnson and
Bessie Smith.
2. Jazz: Jazz is a blend of African music, Western Classical music, European harmony, and
Blues scales. It arose in the late nineteenth century in the Southern states and gained
popularity, particularly among Black artists. Ensembles are usually used to perform it. It is
perhaps the only type of music in the western world that combines a number of
characteristics with Indian classical music, the most notable of which is that both genres of
music emphasize improvisations and a mixture of concurrently played rhythms. Louis
Armstrong is the most well-known player in this genre, and he has also influenced many
other subgenres of this music. Swing music is another notable genre originating from this
type; it was the music that everyone danced to in the 1940s and was extremely popular.
Swing music is typically performed by jazz orchestras with rhythm sections (drums, guitar,
double bass, and piano) and, at occasionally, many singers. Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra,
John McLaughlin, Miles Davis, and Ella Fitzgerald are examples of renowned artists in this
genre.
3. R&B (Rhythm and Blues): This genre, like Blues, features a style that emphasizes rhythm.
Contrary to how it was originally formed and gained popularity, the R&B we presently listen
to is soulful and beautiful. It began as a loud, energetic song, played on electric guitar or
drums and sung by men or women with huge, deep voices. Muddy Waters, Ruth Brown, Ray
Charles, and Louis Jordan are all well-known names in this genre.
4. Rock: This magnificent form of music, which is the most popular in human history, is a
combination of Blues and Country music with elements of Jazz. Along with the Snare drum,
this shape revolutionized the music landscape in the 1950s. Elvis Presley epitomized this
movement. Rock music encompasses a wide range of styles, from the melodic Beatles to the
ferocious Carcass and Deicide. Its harsh and edgy style is its distinguishing feature, without
which it is easily confused with pop voice or adult contemporary. This field's most illustrious
artists are Elvis Presley, John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, Paul McCartney, David Bowie, Little
Richard, Alice Cooper, Keith Moon, Ronnie Wood, Chuck Berry, Kurt Cobain, and some of
the bands are the Nirvana, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Queen, Red Hot Chili Peppers,
and The Byrd’s.
5. Rock and Roll: This music style was established by blending Western swing, country
dance music, and R&B. It has the rhythms of Blues and R&B yet the melodies of Country
music. Elvis Presley popularized this genre with his unique and flamboyant manner, which
resulted in this form being enormously successful globally, earning him the title "King of
Rock and Roll" or simply "The King." Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and the band "Bill
Hayley and His Comets" are examples of well-known musicians from this genre.
6. Hip Hop: It is the most popular type of music in today's music scene and is a popular
choice among young people. Many people are unaware that this type of music is not a new
trend, but was initially produced in the 1970s. It only got more popular in the twenty-first
century when a number of albums and solos reached the top of the charts. It has also had a
significant impact on pop music culture in the modern day. It's strongly rhythmic: rhyming
singing, which usually has an edgy, at times nasal aspect to it, has become synonymous with
rapping and beatboxing. Well thought of artists are, Eminem, Kanye West, Snoop Dogg,
Hard Kaur, 50 Cents, Fergie, Ludacris, Akon and Will.i.am.
Contemporary: 1945-present
The time of Contemporary Music comes after the age of Modern Music. It is thought to have
lasted from 1945 till the present day. Contemporary music is defined by its originality (in
general). Then, by employing dissonances, contemporary musicians strove to break "the laws"
that had hitherto guided music. Following the Romantic period, music began to break down into
many different genres, and the term "current music" was coined to refer to the time period rather
than the style. Minimalism, a form explored by numerous musicians like Steve Reich, John
Adams, and Philip Glass, is one of the sub-categories of contemporary music. Some of the other
genres are neoromanticism, serialism, and postmodernism.
Conclusion
Bangladesh was once a country brimming with cultural activities. This was largely due to the
numerous festivals that took place across the country. This diverse assortment of music, songs,
poetry, dance, rites, and other forms of expression comes from a variety of places and times.
These cultural qualities not only differentiated our country, but also served as its symbol.
People's musical tastes and preferences change as the country matures and modernizes. Every
day, our illustrious folk music tradition perishes. The current music industry is growing in
today's cities.