The Origins Of Popular Music

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The Origins of Popular Music Introduction Popular music, strictly speaking, means music “of the people”. It can be defined as songs or tunes which are designed to reach a large audience; accessible to the public as oppose to an elite group. Popular Music is dependent neither on musical knowledge nor listening skills. It does not, however, exist in isolation. Man has probably always used music in some way, shape or form as a means of diversionary or recreational purposes, but it was revolutionary advances in technology, combined with sociological, cultural and political changes that saw Popular Music as the manifestation of mass culture. Music through the ages; a potted history The earliest music may have begun as a primitive form of communication, an accompaniment to religious or ceremonial occasions, or even merely a soothing accompaniment to labour. Archaeological excavations have revealed that the ancient Mesopotamian Regions had instruments of every basic type; e.g. Aerophones – an early “wind” instrument; Chordophones – an early “pluckable” stringed instrument; Membranophones – an early “percussion” instrument The music of the Hebrew people is also well documented, primarily via the Old Testament. Historical factors, such as the invading Roman forces, undoubtedly spread musical development, with sounds and styles being adapted to suit local tastes and customs. By the Middle Ages, it was the Christian Church and it’s music that dominated. Through the centuries, musical development can be tracked through unmetered psalmody; metrical hymnody; The Gregorian Chant and the development of polyphony. Away from religious influence, the 17th century saw the emergences of Operas, where music was used to heighten the dramatic effect of words. By the 19th Century, new resources rapidly enriched musical techniques. Expressiveness was
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