MEISNER START- From Jimmy Carrane & Liz Allen
Two players sit across from each other. They begin the scene by saying what they really notice. “You look tired.” They respond by taking it in “I do look tired.” That exchange goes back and forth until they notice something else. “You look suspicious” or whatever. When it starts to feel like a scene, the coach says “Make this a scene” and it can become more scenic.
SWITCH INTERVIEW – http://www.withoutannette.net/games.php?Name=Switch%20Interview
Two people conduct an interview on a topic supplied by the audience or director. Yell “Switch” to end and switch players.
NAMES ONLY SCENE – from Craig Cackowski
Each line of dialogue for the scene is only the characters names, said once:
Player 1: Peter!
Player 2: Janet?
Player 1: Peter...
The emotion and physicality of the scene tells the story for us, and the players have to connect with each other.
THE GIFT (THE BOX) – from Johnstone, described at http://www.transactors.org/Thinking%20Inside%20the%20Box.html
The director says “I have a present for you” and hands the student a mime box. The student opens it up. The director asks them questions to make them explore the what's inside. What's in the box? What does it smell and taste like? How big is it? Whatever questions they want. There's a note on it, what does it say? What's underneath it? What noise is it making? Unzip it, what's inside? If they say they don't know, assure them that they do know.
EVERYBODY GO
In a circle. One student jumps in the middle, says “Everybody go” then does a sound and action. Everyone says YES! and repeats that sound and action. There's no order, anyone can jump in at any time.
FINGER THEATER – from Jill Bernard/Keith Johnstone
Two person scene acted out with your fingers walking around like legs instead of your bodies. Give an action movie location suggestion. Recommend 3rd person entrances by other students or their other hands as environment. Fascinating is how scenes tend to be more active and intimate.
STATE THREE THINGS, TURN & SCENE – from Joe Bill
Two characters stand on the edge of the stage. They take turns stating information about their characters. Then they pivot and start the scene.
PLAYER 1: I have constant indigestion
PLAYER 2: Shadows scare me
PLAYER 1: I'm deeply religious
PLAYER 2: I scratch myself, constantly
PLAYER 1: I'm a steelworker
PLAYER 2: I wish I had a friend
[They pivot and start the scene]
INFORMATION BOOTH Acting in Commercials Camera by Joan See
The teacher or another student sits at the information booth of a mall or store. The player enters as a character and asks the location of a specific item. They have a brief interaction. The player leaves and enters again as a different person seeking the same item and has a brief interaction. They leave and enter again for a total of either 3 or 5 characters depending on your needs.
YAY/BOO Comedysportz
One player makes a statement, everyone goes YAY! A second player makes a statement, we all go BOO! We go around the circle alternating YAY! and BOO! to illustrate how any offer can yield a big reaction.
LOSER BALL – Jill Bernard
We stand in a big circle, with a pretend or real ball. There are only two rules to loser ball. #1 You cannot catch the ball. #2 You must be unbelievably supportive of your teammate's inability to catch the ball. The ball is thrown, missed, the person who misses it shags it and throws it to someone else.
SOUND CIRCLE
In a circle. One person turns to the person next to them and makes a sound. That person turns and makes the same sound only BIGGER! They turn and make the same sound EVEN BIGGER! It goes around and around. “Bigger” can mean volume, adding more gesture, intensifying the emotion, making it last longer, any vector you see fit.
PASS THE PHRASE quoting http://storyrobot.wordpress.com/2007/05/18/the-copy-circle-game/ who learned it from me, I learned it from Joe Bozic
“-Students in a circle
-First player walks towards another player in the circle. First player says a line of dialouge and has some specific style of movement or action. (eg walk with a limp, finger formed into hook, shouting “arrrrr, there’s treasure enough for all, me hearties”)
-Player one takes player two’s spot in the circle. Player two walks towards another player and tries to copy player one as exactly as she can.
Play continues, which each player trying to copy the last player as exactly as possible.”
CHARACTER WALK AROUND adapted from Susan Messing and Viola Spolin
Everyone walks around the space. The coach calls out different body parts for them to lead with. “Lead with your hip” or whatever. Let them take a moment to figure out what kind of person this is, then call “Make a noise for this person.” Then call “Make up a catch phrase for this person” or “Greet the people you pass.” Do this with several body parts. You can also coach them to feel an emotion they're actually feeling, and grow it a little larger, and work it through their body, bottom to top. Then the same procedure, call “Make a noise for this person.” Then call “Make up a catch phrase for this person” or “Greet the people you pass.” Repeat with the opposite emotion.
CHARACTER INTERVIEW
Have three students onstage, assign each a character, like “Angry Plumber” or “Bored Step-dad.” Interview them about their lives.
TWO EYES - Les McGehee/Johnstone
You need pieces of paper that already have two dots drawn on them. The dots are eyes. We're in pairs. Without speaking we create a face together. Player 1 may draw an eyebrow, player 2 draws a bow-tie, or whatever. When we feel the drawing is done, we write the name of it one letter at a time, one player writes A , the other player writes N or whatever, and they spell out the name of the creature.
SCENE ONE/FINAL SCENE
Show us the first scene of a story. Then show us the last scene of that story. Example: the first scene is a kid wishing he could join the Olympic bob-sledding team. The second scene is the kid at the bottom of the hill, his leg broken, his coach bringing him a medal for effort.
SPRING TRAINING – Susan Messing
One student leads us in spring training. It can literally be anything, we will copy them and follow their lead. When that student is done they tag someone else and we follow them. This continues until everyone has lead us.
TWO LINE HIGH FIVE – adapted from the Idle Erics
Two players step into the circle and do a terrible two-line scene, then high five each other and step back. If three players accidentally step in at the same time, two of them must say their lines together.
Showing posts with label improv. Show all posts
Showing posts with label improv. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Thursday, October 15, 2009
VIEWPOINTS ELEMENTS INTENSIVE WITH DAVE RAZOWSKY
VIEWPOINTS ELEMENTS INTENSIVE WITH DAVE RAZOWSKY
While teaching for Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre School, Second City veteran David Razowksy was exposed to - and inspired by - the power Anne Bogart and Tina Landau's Viewpoints training, and immediately saw how the tools of Viewpoints play in improv theatre.
Razowksy's Viewpoints Elements will focus the improvisational actor to spontaneously respond through compulsion rather than what choice is "right or wrong." The actor will learn the power of working from impulse and true-play in the present moment.
Date: November 7 & 8, 11AM-4PM each day.
Location: TBA
Cost: $150
Register: http://tinyurl.com/razowsky
David Razowksy is the respected teacher and former artistic director of the Second City Los Angeles. As an actor, he has written and performed in ten Second City Chicago revues and worked in ensembles with Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, Jeff Garlin and Amy Sedaris, among others. David directed Second City Chicago Mainstage's No Seriously, We're All Gonna Die, Second City LA's Encino Evil, The Second City Untitled Project, The Second City Detroit's acclaimed 19th Nervous Breakdown, and The Second City National Touring Company. He teaches at Theatre Asylum and iO West in Los Angeles.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
How To Make A Tightrope
The truth is, it feels like we've always played this way and it's hard for me to recreate how we got here. But! I have just saved some notes from the shredder. I shall write what I can recreate:
January
Jam
Yay Boo
Happy Fixation
Animal Evolve
Same Character Scenes
Same Character Mobs
Guy on a Walk (what did that mean?)
Transformations in and out of words
Moving Tableaus - create a swarm of bees, ocean, flock of sheep, forest, graveyard, snowfall, crazy cat lady house, airport, fireworks display, old west scene, locusts attacking crops
Throwing Focus - with a ball, without a ball, sidecoached ("focus on Josh!")
Mirroring - pairs, groups, all
Follow The Leader
Character Switch - body focused
Dance Party Freeze
February
Round 1 - Pairs Morph into Scenes
Round 2 - Invent Constrast (deliberately step out)
Round 3 - Full Scenes that pop from morph back into morph
Playing With Shape - sidecoach soft/hard/angled/floppy/body parts
Ralph
New Orleans Game
Instant Beckett
Meditation w/ Object of Focus
Pass Morph like a Taffy Pull
Pure Morph (w/out scenes)
Taking Words Soft Walk
March
1 Hour of Silence
(12 minute meditation, space exploration)
Pure Morph
Walk in the Dark
Atlantis Quartet sat in with us.
[we have developed a rehearsal routine of meditation, to space exploration, to morph, to Beast]
April
Guest Instructor: Galen Truer on contact improv
May
Guest Instructor: Jason Ballweber on physicality
Monster Training
Amnesiac Game: Come in the room and you don't know anything but we like you.
The Best Trick In the World
Run/Stop Blankly
States Of Motion: Asleep, laid back, robot, blank, wait??, there's a bomb!, bomb's about to go off! Almost Kiss Game
Blob Game (break through to me)
Mirror Lead
Far Away/Close
June
Pounce Walk
Energies of Each Others
Principles We've Learned Along The Way
--> Hit it or quit it
--> Let go of the words, become them.
--> Give in to the morph
--> Experience the space
--> Take care of each other
--> There is always more
--> Noise makes it true
--> Be heroic
--> Name the elephant in the room, call it out
--> Use your soft clown baby brain
Notes from Stashwick on being comfortable with the morph
"Trust. See more, show more. To me it's about the connection to space. Feeling space push back. Shaping space. Shapes in space.
Abstraction only exists to get to the concrete...but abstraction is always interesting if it's not indulgent. It's taking the art for a walk with no particular place to go. Trust that it will get to a scene but allow yourself to be surprised by the destination by the use of abstraction. It truly makes it a group discovery.
Shape space, have that shape resonate, let it push back against your hand, face, leg whatever....the shape becomes an object, the object exists in a place, what place? Let it become concrete, discover who lives in that environment and holds that object. Be that person. Have relationships with the environment and other characters that inhabit. This can take fractions of a second or a half hour. Boom, a scene begins. Essentially it's the same principles that apply when freeze tag is played correctly and not for laughs.
Tell them to be in love with "not knowing". Tell them they can always get to a scene but to let go more in between."Fingerpaint" a bit. Audiences will be thrilled to watch things materialize out of the ether."
Monday, January 12, 2009
HUGE Improv Master Class Series presents Matt Donnelly
Joined: 20 Dec 2001
Posts: 5541
Location: Uptown sometimes, Edina other times
New postPosted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 10:22 am Post subject: HUGE MASTER CLASS SERIES presents MATT DONNELLY! Reply with quote Edit/Delete this post Delete this post
Matt Donnelly is back for two classes only! Saturday January 31, 2009 at Grace Trinity Church, 1430 W. 28th Street, only $50 each.
MATT DONNELLY'S GROUP SCENES WORKSHOP 11AM-1PM Borden Room
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=2418201
Some of the best scenes on stage are when a group treats one another's work as their own. Scenes that utilize the whole group are either group scenes, two person scenes with entrances and exits, two person scenes with tagouts. This workshop focuses on finding patterns as a team, "starting in the middle" initiation techniques that encourages group play, how to strengthen and simplify groups scenes where everyone gets to participate and enjoy, how to make your walk ons kick ass and encourage other to follow, how to create stronger patterned tag outs, and how to mix it all up so that your two steps ahead of the audience while staying on the same page on stage.
MATT DONNELLY'S OPEN/CLOSE 2PM-5PM Robinson Room
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=2418214
Open/Close is Matt Donnelly's signature improv scene technique that encourages scene partners to mutually accomplish the scene together. The technique gets performers out of their heads by reacting to body language rather than over thinking about the dialogue. Comedy and tension are maintained in the scene by one (closed) character exploiting the emotional vulnerability of the other (open) character and learning how to switch the role within the scene without changing the characters or circumstances. Performers will learn how to comically and theatrically enjoy the scene as the (Open) emotionally vulnerable, voice of reality. Performers will also learn how to enjoy the scene comically and theatrically as the (closed) exploiting character of another character's emotional vulnerability, while maintaining sympathy and likeability. Does this workshop sounds a little crazy to you? Matt will make it remarkably simple.
Matt Donnelly, a favorite instructor at the 2008 TCIF, is currently the Advanced Improv instructor for Improv Vegas in Las Vegas, NV. In 2008, he recieved the Instructor of The Year Award from the People's Improv Theatre in New York City where he taught level 3- Intro to performance improvisation as well as Master Classes in the Speed Harold, La Ronde, Deconstruction, and Mosaic. He co-created the Neutrino Video Projects, which appeared at the HBO US Comedy Arts Festival and has been franchised to 12 other cities around the world. Previously, he taught improv in the acting program at the New York Film Academy, and is a guest instructor at Columbia University Business School with Business Improvisation. He has coached house teams at the PIT, UCB, and Magnet Theatre in New York and is a BFA Acting Alumni of Montclair State University. His former teachers and mentors include Amy Poehler, Armando Diaz, Joe Bill, Miles Stroth, and John Cameron Telfer
Posts: 5541
Location: Uptown sometimes, Edina other times
New postPosted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 10:22 am Post subject: HUGE MASTER CLASS SERIES presents MATT DONNELLY! Reply with quote Edit/Delete this post Delete this post
Matt Donnelly is back for two classes only! Saturday January 31, 2009 at Grace Trinity Church, 1430 W. 28th Street, only $50 each.
MATT DONNELLY'S GROUP SCENES WORKSHOP 11AM-1PM Borden Room
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=2418201
Some of the best scenes on stage are when a group treats one another's work as their own. Scenes that utilize the whole group are either group scenes, two person scenes with entrances and exits, two person scenes with tagouts. This workshop focuses on finding patterns as a team, "starting in the middle" initiation techniques that encourages group play, how to strengthen and simplify groups scenes where everyone gets to participate and enjoy, how to make your walk ons kick ass and encourage other to follow, how to create stronger patterned tag outs, and how to mix it all up so that your two steps ahead of the audience while staying on the same page on stage.
MATT DONNELLY'S OPEN/CLOSE 2PM-5PM Robinson Room
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=2418214
Open/Close is Matt Donnelly's signature improv scene technique that encourages scene partners to mutually accomplish the scene together. The technique gets performers out of their heads by reacting to body language rather than over thinking about the dialogue. Comedy and tension are maintained in the scene by one (closed) character exploiting the emotional vulnerability of the other (open) character and learning how to switch the role within the scene without changing the characters or circumstances. Performers will learn how to comically and theatrically enjoy the scene as the (Open) emotionally vulnerable, voice of reality. Performers will also learn how to enjoy the scene comically and theatrically as the (closed) exploiting character of another character's emotional vulnerability, while maintaining sympathy and likeability. Does this workshop sounds a little crazy to you? Matt will make it remarkably simple.
Matt Donnelly, a favorite instructor at the 2008 TCIF, is currently the Advanced Improv instructor for Improv Vegas in Las Vegas, NV. In 2008, he recieved the Instructor of The Year Award from the People's Improv Theatre in New York City where he taught level 3- Intro to performance improvisation as well as Master Classes in the Speed Harold, La Ronde, Deconstruction, and Mosaic. He co-created the Neutrino Video Projects, which appeared at the HBO US Comedy Arts Festival and has been franchised to 12 other cities around the world. Previously, he taught improv in the acting program at the New York Film Academy, and is a guest instructor at Columbia University Business School with Business Improvisation. He has coached house teams at the PIT, UCB, and Magnet Theatre in New York and is a BFA Acting Alumni of Montclair State University. His former teachers and mentors include Amy Poehler, Armando Diaz, Joe Bill, Miles Stroth, and John Cameron Telfer
Thursday, December 18, 2008
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")
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")
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