It has long been said that music is a language that spans cultures, ages and differences. Through the years, new music genres have developed and old ones have been revisited. It is a true testament to the power of music that today we can still appreciate pieces that were composed centuries ago. While rock, pop and hip-hop tend to make up the bulk of popular music today, there are also plenty of other wonderful styles of music that include jazz, classical and folk.
Caribbean
As the name suggests, Caribbean music originated among the Caribbean islands. Its roots lie in the musical differences introduced by African slaves and colonists or settlers from Europe. Early Caribbean music included local folk music, with a heavy emphasis on drums and other percussion instruments. Today it has branched out into many styles, such as reggae, calypso, soca, pan music and much more.
Classical
Classical music is largely associated with the instrumental genre that came about in Europe around the 17th century. One of the largest variations in classical music had to do with the performers. While some pieces were specifically written for an entire orchestra, others were performed by a solitary musician. The overall genre of classical music is marked by certain defining eras that include Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, and Romantic. Many composers, who are household names today, were considered controversial in their time for their use of minor scales, and dark or risqué themes.
Folk
Unlike the formality of classical music, folk music is passed down aurally from one generation to the next. This has led to numerous variations in songs and styles. Folk music can vary largely depending on the area that it originates from. For example, American folk music is quite unlike Russian folk music, even though some of the instruments might be the same. Folk music is also a way for generations to preserve stories, religion, values and essential parts of their culture through song.
Jazz
Jazz began in the late 1800s in the United States, ignited by a collision between African American and European music. Originally it was heavily criticized and associated with the lower and working classes. New Orleans became a hotbed for jazz and many famous musicians got their start there. It took off in the mainstream by the 1920s. As musicians began experimenting, jazz soon spawned a number of stylistic variations that include Dixieland, swing, ragtime, cool jazz, hard bop and modern fusions.
Latin
Latin music stems from the Central and Southern American countries. It is closely tied to dances, due to the nature of the music. The influences are somewhat varied and include inspiration from Spanish music, local folk music and African culture. While some Latin music still stays true to its original roots, many other types have become more modernized and combine other genres.
R&B
Rhythm and blues, also colloquially known as R&B, comes from many different musical styles. Among the primary ones are blues, soul, gospel, and funk. R&B came about during the mid-1900s in response to the surging popularity of jazz. It became so widespread that it even influenced a lot of rock and roll musicians. Modern-day R&B is quite different from the original version; it tends to be a more mellow style with highly finessed production values.
Rock n Roll
Rock n’ roll started in the 1950s in the United States, taking off from electric blues and R&B. Elvis Presley was one of the first mainstream musicians to bring this form of music to the attention of mass audiences. Through the sixties, other groups developed their own styles. Some, like Aretha Franklin, combined soul music with rock, while others such as The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin went for a heavier, more energetic approach. Rock music branched off into many variations in the next few decades, such as punk rock, soft rock, heavy metal, and pop rock.
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