Musical Styles

Here's a library of musical styles with descriptions and examples. Note that I have not tried to be scholarly; I have tried to be vague and generic, and think of what an audience would be thinking of.

Thanks to Tim Hellendrung for writing the Hip Hop and Heavy Metal entries and John Mechalas for the Techno entry.

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BAROQUE
A type of classical music known for having lots of flourishes and harpsichord.
Examples: Bach, Pachelbel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Af372EQLck (Pachelbel Canon in D Major)

BLUEGRASS
A sub-genre of country music. Uses banjo & tight harmonies & is typically very fast.
Examples: The movie soundtrack "O Brother Where Art Thou"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4t2dgqyi7AU (Del McCoury Band "High On A Mountain")

BLUES
Sad music that uses a lot of call and response.
Examples: BB King, Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nwHdvxEDaU (Louis Armstrong 8 "St. Louis Blues")

BOY BAND
Emotional pop music performed by cute boys doing choreography.
Examples: Backstreet Boys, N'Sync, New Kids on the Block
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgH-jWCny9U (Backstreet Boys "I Want It That Way")

BROADWAY MUSICAL
Broadway musicals use lavish sets and costumes and musical numbers to tell stories, usually romantic.
Old: South Pacific, Guys & Dolls, the Sound of Music, My Fair Lady
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IJYDPxLzNE
New: RENT, Wicked, Les Miserables
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryhslEPIUH0 (Lion King on Rosie O'Donnell)

CAJUN ZYDECO
A mix of French and Country music from Louisiana, features accordian and often sung in Creole.
Examples: Buckwheat Zydeco, the song "Iko Iko"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yz2qV9qk_XI (John Delafose)

CELTIC
Irish folk music featuring fiddle & pennywhistle. Pogues is a bit hard-core and Riverdance is a bit pop.
Examples: The Chieftans
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1_W7Og-L3Q (Boys of the Lough "La Grande Chaine Medley")

CHILDREN'S SONGS
Sing-songy numbers that teach a lesson or tell a fairy-tale. Often involve audience participation.
Examples: Raffi, Barney, the Wiggles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC1rdq8u-Rk (Sesame Street "People In Your Neighborhood")

CLASSICAL
A really broad category of older European music.
Examples: Beethoven, Motzart
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ee8F3olCLM ("Great Classical Music Composers Pt. 2")

COUNTRY (old)
Southern music with a lot of twang and heartbreak.
Examples: Johnny Cash, Hank Williams Sr, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhRqDvP-mwM (Waylon Jennings "Mommas Don`t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys")

COUNTRY (new)
More pop-influenced than old country.
Examples: Travis Tritt, Keith Urban, Shania Twain
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIyxkZod2cM (Sugarland "Stay")

DISCO
Dance music from the seventies. Flashy clothes and flashy moves
Examples: Donna Summer, the BeeGees, Gloria Gaynor, Lipps Inc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jLGa4X5H2c (Earth Wind and Fire - "Boogie Wonderland")

DOO WAP
Boy bands of the 50's, called Doo Wap because they actually said that a lot
Examples: Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons, the Drifters, the Coasters
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q96ylFiQK_I (Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers "Why Do Fools Fall In Love")

EMO
from http://www.luv-emo.com/what-is-emo.html "2003 saw the success of singer-songwriters such as Chris Carrabba (of Dashboard Confessional), who himself was seen to be at the forefront of a new movement of artists with (supposedly) overtly emotional music. MTV had to come up with a tag to market this movement at adolescents in a catchy manner, so the tag 'emo ' was chosen."
Examples: Jimmy Eat World, My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy, Dashboard Confessional
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SN-t_mA0pjU (Senses Fail "Calling All Cars")

FOLK
The traditional music of any country is called folk music. In America, folk music was popularized in the 60's by the peace movement. The movie "A Mighty Wind" is a solid parody.
Examples: Peter Paul & Mary, Pete Seegar, Bob Dylan, Arlo Guthrie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vXmx3A1SyA (The New Christy Minstrels "Michael Row The Boat Ashore")

FUNK
From wikipedia: "Funk is an American musical style that originated in the mid- to late-1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, soul jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground. Unlike R&B and soul songs, which had many chord changes, funk songs are often based on an extended vamp on a single chord." Features outrageous costumes & stage theatrics.
Examples: James Brown, Parliament-Funkadelic, Bootsy Collins, the song "Brick House"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Bqf2mPoOns (George Clinton & The P Funk All Stars "Flashlight")

GOSPEL
Spiritual songs from the Baptist church, often featuring huge choirs in robes.
Examples: Mavis Staples, Mahalia Jackson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQcQWpABjfw (The Edwin Hawkins Singers "O Happy Day")

GREGORIAN CHANTS
Music sung by monks in Latin. Actually became popular when set to dance beats a while back.
Examples: Gregorian Masters Of Chant
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MbDqc3x97k (Gregorian Chant "Benedictinos")

GRUNGE
A sub-genre of rock that came out of Seattle. Wikipedia: "grunge is generally characterized by heavily distorted electric guitars, contrasting song dynamics, and apathetic or angst-filled lyrics." Flannel shirts, greasy hair, ripped jeans.
Examples: Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_emm2_T_nx4 (Nirvana "Smells Like Teen Spirit")


HEAVY METAL

Heavy metal or simply, metal, is a sub-genre of rock. It is characterized by amplified distortion and an overall loud volume. Metal usually has a dense bass and drum rhythm and intense vocals, not excluding screaming. The popularity of heavy metal peaked in the 1980s when glam metal (a subgenre of heavy metal) made metal commercially viable. Examples: Black Sabbath, Motörhead, Kiss, Led Zeppelin, Pantera, Marilyn Manson.
Motörhead – “Ace of Spades” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BstyQX-kQQ&feature=related


HIP HOP

Culture and music style originating out of Bronx, New York in the 1970s. Wikipedia: “A style typically consisting of a rhythmic vocal style called rap which is accompanied with backing beats.” Hip Hop lifestyle also incorporates breakdancing, DJing, and graffiti artwork. EXAMPLES: Run DMC, Kanye West, Tupac, OutKast, Beastie Boys.
Warren G – “Regulate” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6x5Olen_1co


JAZZ
As the Blues travelled up the Mississippi it became smoother and cooler and turned into Jazz. There are lots of styles.
Examples: Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, Ella Fitzgerald
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbL9vr4Q2LU (Ella Fitzgerald "One note Samba")

MOTOWN
From Wikipedia: "In the 1960s, Motown and its soul-based subsidiaries were the most successful proponents of what came to be known as "The Motown Sound", a style of soul music with a distinct pop influence."
Examples: Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, The Temptations, Jackson 5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2EsZpobWJs (Smokey Robinson & The Miracles "You Really Got A Hold On Me")

NEW WAVE
Developed as a term to define music that wasn't punk but also wasn't mainstream in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Examples: Squeeze, Elvis Costello, Men Without Hats
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IlHgbOWj4o (Thomas Dolby - "She Blinded Me With Science")

OPERA
Epic stories told through classical music and singing.
Examples: Puccini, Verdi, Wagner
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcJ2o49dAt0 ("Opera Song Types")

POLKA
A lively German/Eastern European dance.
Examples: Lawrence Welk "Pennsylvania Polka", Frank Yankovic "Who Stole the Kishka", Beer Barrel Polka (Roll Out The Barrel)"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPurHoOhZaY (Polonaise Folk Dancers "Wally's Polka")

POP
An abbreviation of "popular" music that has come to describe light-weight fun rock.
Examples: Brittany Spears, Michael Jackson, Elton John
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dr9sTVtFdE (Hilary Duff & Haylie Duff "Our Lips Are Sealed")

PUNK
Wikipedia: "Fast, hard-edged music, typically with short songs, stripped-down instrumentation, and often political, anti-establishment lyrics."
Examples: Sex Pistols, Misfits, NOFX, Ramones, Dead Kennedys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOGS1XW-GHo (The Ramones "Blitzkrieg Bop Live in London 1977")

R & B
R & B stands for "Rhythm & Blues" and has been used to mean a lot of things, sort've an umbrella category that captured African American music in the mid-twentieth century. Currently it refers to "urban contemporary" smooth vocal music with slick production.
Examples: Mary J. Blige, R. Kelly, Beyoncé, Usher
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MI7Qr7LTOfA (Brandy "Long Distance")

RAP
http://www.answers.com - "A form of popular music developed especially in African-American urban communities and characterized by spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics with a strong rhythmic accompaniment." Differentiated from hip hop by the absence of singing interludes.
Examples: Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Kanye West, Jay-Z
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHReQQnMVQo (Mos Def, Talib Kweli & Common - "Respiration")

REGGAE
Jamaican music with beats on the off beat. Subject matter includes religion, love, sex, peace, poverty, injustice and other political issues. From the Rastafarians who wore dreadlocks and smoked ganja.
Examples: Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Peter Tosh, Shaggy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zTxUxFjLB0 (Bob Marley "Get Up Stand Up")

ROCK BALLAD
http://digitaldreamdoor.nutsie.com "A 'Ballad' is a slow to medium, romantic, sentimental or narrative song usually relating a single, dramatic event." Featuring heavy guitar and strained emotional vocals.
Examples: "Somebody To Love" - Queen, "Wanted Dead Or Alive" - Bon Jovi, "Faithfully" - Journey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-mw1HGJjdA (REO Speedwagon "Keep On Loving You")

SALSA
Rhythmic Latin dance music. Lots of horns!
Examples: Ruben Blades, Tito Puente
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqGA8DJ9yGw

SKA
The Jamaican musical style that came before reggae but our audiences are thinking of the 90s revival. A Reggae beat goes bum-da-da but a ska beat is faster and goes bum-da bum-da.
Examples: Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Fishbone, The Skatalites
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ4S-UiNmzo (Reel Big Fish "Take On Me")

SOUL
http://www.history-of-rock.com/soul_music.htm - "A merger of gospel-charged singing, secular subject matter, and funk rhythms, soul grew out of Fifties rhythm & blues, spurred by Ray Charles' electic, decidedly secular late-Fifties hits."
Examples: Ray Charles, Ben E King, Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qL2_zhLs_T4 (Jackie Wilson "Higher & Higher")

SPOKEN WORD
Poetry or prose spoken aloud often with music underneath.
Examples: Laurie Anderson, GG Allin, Henry Rollins
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sFCzZ7tQwM (Ken Nordine on Night Music)

SWING/BIG BAND
Dance music from the 1930s and 1940s. Swing dancing involves lots of lifts and throws. Big bands featured large brass sections and a singer - Frank Sinatra, Billie Holliday and Doris Day all sang with big bands.
Examples: Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Cab Calloway
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bR3K5uB-wMA (Glenn Miller "In The Mood")

TECHNO
Actually a sub-genre, but our audience is generally thinking electronic dance music as a whole. Drum machines and electronic instruments with a fast, 4/4 beat. Often times sample loops in lieu of actual lyrics, or no vocals/lyrics at all.
Examples: Paul Oakenfold, Paul Van Dyk, Christopher Lawrence, Armin van Buuren.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3uJnqkIEMw (Paul Oakenfold "Southern Sun - DJ Tiesto Remix")

YODELING
A form of singing that involves one long note drastically changing pitch, popular in Germany and Switzerland and in cowboy tradition.
Examples: Ricola commercials, apparently Jewel yodels too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDDEk2AMJAI (from "America's Got Talent")

Brain wired for improv not perfection

http://www.webmd.com/brain/news/20061220/brain-wired-for-improv

Brain wired for improv - did you know this?

http://www.webmd.com/brain/news/20061220/brain-wired-for-improv

HUGE THEATER 2009 MASTER CLASS SERIES
The first Saturday of each month, Huge Theater presents a series of classes "continuing education" style, on special topics for improvisers. Classes take place at the Walker Library Meeting Room, 2880 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, 55408 except where noted. Please wear closed-toe shoes and bring a bottle of water and a snack if needed. $40 each, two for ones available, email tcifworkshops@gmail.com for more information:

THE FIREBALL THEORY with Jill Bernard
January 3, 11AM-2PM
This workshop presents Jill Bernard's Fireball Theory and offers exercises to help you improvise faster and harder than you can judge yourself. You will learn to metaphorically hit the scene running and outrun the explosion of self-loathing and doubt like an action movie hero outruns a fireball thus defying the laws of physics. Please wear closed toe shoes to this workshop.

An interesting article about how single people are percieved.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/04/opinion/04collins.html?_r=2&hp

 

 

Why We Give/Why We Care

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977508460

Ten Things Theaters Need to Do Right Now to Save Themselves

http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Content?oid=691862

stuff I want to share

I know there are better ways to do this, but how else do I get it on my google reader?

Video of a little baby pygmy hippo having a bath:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itPDKIebAos