Pop Music

Definition

Pop Music is a genre of popular music that originated in the 1950s and became increasingly dominant in the following decades. Pop Music is characterized by its catchy melodies, simple structure, and focus on commercial success. It draws on a variety of influences and often features electronic instrumentation, auto-tuned vocals and heavily produced soundscapes.

History

Pop Music can be traced back to the early 20th century, but its modern form began to emerge in the 1950s with the birth of rock and roll. Since then, Pop Music has evolved through several distinct eras, each marked by distinct musical styles and cultural influences.

• 1950s-1960s: Early rock and roll and Motown influenced Pop Music, with artists like Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, The Beatles and The Supremes all finding success.
• 1970s-1980s: Disco, punk, and New Wave were prominent Pop Music styles, with artists like ABBA, The Bee Gees, Blondie, Michael Jackson and Madonna dominating the charts.
• 1990s-2000s: Pop Music embraced electronic and hip-hop influences, with artists like Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Christina Aguilera, Destiny's Child, Beyoncé and Justin Timberlake rising to fame.
• 2010s-Present: Pop Music's integration with electronic dance music has led to the rise of artists like Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Drake, Rihanna, Ed Sheeran and Ariana Grande.

Characteristics

Pop Music has several key characteristics that set it apart from other genres:

• Catchy Melodies: Pop Music is known for its memorable, singable tunes that often get stuck in your head.
• Simplified Song Structure: Pop Music typically follows a verse-chorus-bridge-chorus structure that is easy to follow.
• Electronic Instrumentation: Pop Music often features digital production techniques and synthesized sounds.
• Auto-Tuned Vocals: Pop Music often incorporates pitch correction software to create a polished, perfect vocal sound.
• Focus on Commercial Success: Pop Music prioritizes accessibility and popularity, often at the expense of artistic expression.

Influences and Trends

Pop Music is heavily influenced by current trends and cultural movements. Some of the recent trends in Pop Music include:

• Electronic Dance Music: Pop Music has increasingly incorporated electronic dance music (EDM) elements, such as big drops and build-ups, into its songs.
• Hip-Hop: Pop Music has also integrated hip-hop influences, such as rap verses and trap beats, into its sound.
• Globalization: Pop Music has become increasingly global in recent years, incorporating sounds and styles from around the world.

Conclusion

Pop Music has a rich history and continues to evolve with changing trends and cultural influences. It is a genre that prioritizes accessibility and commercial success, often through the use of catchy melodies, digital production techniques, and polished vocals. As a college student, it's important to understand the key characteristics and influences of Pop Music as part of a broader understanding of music and culture.

Study Guide: Pop Music

Overview

Pop music is a genre of popular music that originated in the 1950s in the United States and United Kingdom. It is characterized by catchy melodies, simple song structures, and a focus on vocals and production. Pop music is diverse and constantly evolving, with influences from various other genres.

History

• The genre emerged in the 1950s with artists such as Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry
• The 1960s brought the British Invasion and artists such as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones
• The 1970s saw the rise of disco and pop rock
• The 1980s were known for synth-pop and pop ballads
• The 1990s saw the emergence of boy bands and girl groups
• The 2000s were known for the rise of hip-hop influenced pop music and digital streaming platforms
• Today, pop music continues to evolve and experiment with various styles and influences.

Characteristics

• Catchy melodies
• Simple song structures
• Focus on vocals and production
• Often accompanied by electronic beats and synthesizers
• Relatable lyrics that often deal with love, relationships, and current events
• Collaborations with other artists and producers are common

Influential Artists

• Michael Jackson
• Madonna
• Prince
• Whitney Houston
• Beyonce
• Lady Gaga
• Justin Timberlake
• Katy Perry
• Ed Sheeran
• Taylor Swift

Pop Music in Culture

• Pop music has a significant impact on popular culture, from fashion to film to social media
• Pop music plays a role in shaping youth identity, attitudes, and behaviors
• Pop music concerts and festivals attract large crowds and generate significant revenue
• Pop music is often used in marketing and advertising campaigns to appeal to a diverse audience.

Pop Music in Education

• Students can study the history and evolution of pop music in music courses
• Students can learn about music production, songwriting, and recording techniques used in pop music
• Students can analyze the cultural impact of pop music in media and communication courses.

Resources

• Billboard (https://www.billboard.com/charts/pop-songs)
• Rolling Stone (https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/greatest-pop-songs-of-all-time-172472/)
• Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/genre/pop-page)

Practice Sheet: Pop Music

Section 1: Music Theory

1. Write down the 4 main chords used in pop music and their corresponding major keys.
2. Identify the time signature of the following popular pop songs:
   • Shape of You by Ed Sheeran
   • Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
   • Baby One More Time by Britney Spears
3. Write out the melody for the chorus of your favorite pop song using sheet music notation.

Section 2: Music History

1. Identify the artist(s) responsible for starting the pop music genre.
2. Name 3 iconic pop artists from the 1980s and describe their impact on pop music.
3. Discuss the influence of Motown Records on the development of pop music.

Section 3: Music Analysis

1. Analyze the lyrics of your favorite pop song - what is the message conveyed by the lyrics?
2. Listen to a popular pop song and identify the different musical instruments used in the track.
3. Discuss the use of electronic dance music (EDM) elements in modern pop music.

Section 4: Performance

1. Sing your favorite pop song in front of a mirror and analyze your facial expressions and body language
2. Practice performing a pop song using different vocal techniques such as vibrato, runs, and ad-libs.
3. Learn a popular pop song on a musical instrument of your choice and perform it for someone.

Section 5: Music Industry

1. Identify the major record labels that dominate the pop music industry.
2. Discuss the role of social media in promoting and discovering new pop artists.
3. Research the process of how a pop song gets made and released, including the roles of producers, songwriters, and recording artists.

Section 6: Music Appreciation

1. Analyze the music video of your favorite pop song - what themes and motifs are used?
2. Discuss the use of auto-tune in modern pop music and its effect on the industry.
3. Research the cultural impact of a major pop music festival such as Coachella or Glastonbury.

Sample Problem:

Write a 4-bar phrase in the style of a Pop Music song.

Step 1: Choose a key.

Step 2: Choose a time signature.

Step 3: Choose a chord progression.

Step 4: Write a melody.

Practice Problems:

1. Write a 4-bar phrase in the style of a Pop Music song using a minor key.

2. Write a 4-bar phrase in the style of a Pop Music song using a 3/4 time signature.

3. Write a 4-bar phrase in the style of a Pop Music song using a I-V-vi-IV chord progression.

4. Write a 4-bar phrase in the style of a Pop Music song using a I-IV-V-vi chord progression.

5. Write a 4-bar phrase in the style of a Pop Music song using a I-vi-IV-V chord progression.

6. Write a 4-bar phrase in the style of a Pop Music song using a I-IV-vi-V chord progression.

7. Write a 4-bar phrase in the style of a Pop Music song using a I-IV-ii-V chord progression.

8. Write a 4-bar phrase in the style of a Pop Music song using a I-vi-ii-V chord progression.

9. Write a 4-bar phrase in the style of a Pop Music song using a I-vi-IV-V chord progression.

10. Write a 4-bar phrase in the style of a Pop Music song using a I-ii-V-IV chord progression.

Pop Music Practice Sheet

Warm-up Exercises

1. Identify the different elements of a pop song (e.g. verse, chorus, bridge, etc.).
2. Listen to a pop song and identify the different instruments used.
3. Listen to a pop song and identify the tempo.

Music Theory Exercises

1. Describe the chord progression of a pop song.
2. Identify the key of a pop song.
3. Analyze the structure of a pop song.

Performance Exercises

1. Sing a pop song with correct intonation and dynamics.
2. Play a pop song on a chosen instrument.
3. Perform a pop song with a band.

Pop Music Quiz