Department of Music IES Jiménez de la Espada (Cartagena)

UNIT 1: MUSICAL GENRES

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Musical classification
1.1 Traditional or folkloric music
1.2 Popular music
1.3 Art music (Classical music)
2. Other ways of classifying music
2.1 Religious music, sacred music / secular music, profane music
2.2 Dramatic vocal music/concert vocal music
2.3 Absolute music /programme music.
3. Musical styles and periods in classical music
4. Analysis of a piece of music

1. MUSICAL CLASSIFICATION
1.1 Traditional or folkloric music
It is music which is typical from a specific region or country. Folkloric
music is part of the traditions and customs. When we refer to traditional music,
we can also mention folkloric clothes, dances, instruments and songs.

EXAMPLES:
African traditional music:
In general, when we talk about "African music", we mean sub-
Saharan music, music from the south of the Sahara. The main characteristics
of this type of music are:
• The extensive use of percussion. Drums are probably the most widely
played instruments in Africa (There are several types of drums such as the
djembe or the dundun). Skilled drummers can use drums to send
messages.
• In most African drum ensembles, there is a master drummer who leads
the group. He plays a rhythmic signal which sets the tempo and the
rhythm for the other players. After this call, the other players join in with
the response. This call and response pattern is usually repeated many
times during a performance.
• Voice and other instruments are used too (xylophones, string
instruments...).
• This music is based on polyrhythm (several rhythmic patterns are played
at the same time).
• Performances are long and involve the audience through singing
and dancing.

Djembe Dundun Kora

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Balophone African drum ensemble

- Traditional African music: https://youtu.be/Kyq5bZth-sE
- MIRIAM MAKEBA (1932-2008)
https://youtu.be/U6AAtKmx6Qk / https://youtu.be/iktKbIKZh9I

Traditional Chinese music:

The ideal society was governed by rites, ritual and ceremonial
functions. Music was not really entertainment. It had a social utility. Music
had to be generally simple, induce tranquility, and facilitate the
appropriate conduct in ceremonies.

Most of the traditional music used the ancient Chinese pentatonic

scale. Perhaps to maintain the Confucian norms of simplicity and clarity,
Harmony is simple and not as important in folkloric Chinese music as
it is in Western-style music.

Unlike Western or African music, there is no emphasis on rhythm or

beat. Music was not intended for dancing.

Traditional Chinese instruments:

• The erhu: it is a two-string, violin-like instrument that is played with a
bow like a violin bow.

• The guzheng: it is a large 18–23-or-more stringed instrument. It is said

that it is an ancestor of the Japanese koto.

• The pipa is a four-stringed Chinese musical instrument. The instrument

has a pear-shaped wooden body with frets like those on a guitar. It sounds like
a banjo.

• Dizis are generally made of bamboo, and they generally have six or more
finger holes. One hole is covered with paper so that the flute has a peculiar
buzzing sound that people like.

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Erhu Guzheng

Pipa Chinese flute (Dizi)

https://youtu.be/9M4gca_uLB4
https://youtu.be/85Fc2amPf34
http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/culture/traditional-music.htm

Indian music:
The music from India is improvised. It uses scales called "ragas"
associated with different feelings. This music is performed with solo instruments
(wind or string) accompanied by percussion instruments (for example a sitar
and a tabla ensemble).
https://youtu.be/9xB_X9BOAOU (Classical Indian music)

THE INFLUENCE OF TRADITIONAL MUSIC ON OTHER MUSICAL

GENRES:
Traditional music has an important influence on other musical
genres such as popular music and classical music.

- In classical music, nationalist styles are influenced by traditional music.

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"El amor brujo" by Manuel de Falla (1876-1946). This work is inspired by

flamenco.
"Ritual Fire Dance" (Danza ritual del fuego) and "Song of Wildfire" (Canción del
fuego fatuo). https://youtu.be/L18b3UQQ49I

- In popular music, several musical styles such as folk and modern

South African music are under the influence of traditional music.
Folk: modern music and songs that are written in a style similar to that of
traditional music.
"O son do ar" by Luar Na Lubre, a Galician band who plays Celtic Music.
https://youtu.be/PIBA__XaUwE
https://youtu.be/Yt1tTWFDch0

Celtic music also had a huge influence on traditional Irish music. The
Chieftains are a very famous traditional Irish music band.
https://youtu.be/u8lkptsqriQ
https://youtu.be/Vtp4adNTP0Y

Riverdance: https://youtu.be/46KajgBjZaY

Modern African popular music

https://youtu.be/mwvOFEz_g8A
https://youtu.be/MwYncSoen-o

EXERCISES:
1º) Match each term with its definition or description.
a. Traditional Indian music
b. Folk music
c. Flamenco
d. Celtic music
e. Nationalist music
f. The sitar
g. Traditional Chinese music
h. Polyrhythm
i. Manuel de Falla

1. Occidental popular music and songs that are influenced by traditional music.
2. Traditional music that uses pentatonic scales. It is basically melodic and with a
simple harmony and rhythm.
3. A traditional musical style that had a huge influence on Galician and Irish traditional
music.
4. A type of music based on improvisation that uses scales (ragas), string and
percussion instruments.
5. Classical music inspired by traditional music.
6. Indian plucked string instrument.
7. Genre of traditional music and dance native to the southern Spanish regions
of Andalusia, Extremadura and Murcia.
8. Several rhythmic patterns that are played at the same time.
9. Spanish composer from the twentieth century who wrote nationalist music. He
composed "El amor brujo".

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2º) Listen to the different extracts and indicate their style or genre.
a) b) c) d)

MUSIC THEORY:
- DOTTED NOTES:
One dot lengthens the note or rest by half the value of the original note
or rest. So, a dotted minim is worth three crotchets. A dotted crotchet is worth
three quavers and so on.

3º) Fill in the incomplete bars with one note or rest.

- PENTATONIC SCALES:
Pentatonic scales are re used a lot in traditional, blues, folk and rock
music. They use five notes.
notes Ordinary scales use seven different notes.
Scales start and end on notes of the same name.

The first two phrases of the melody from Stephen Foster's

Foster "Oh!
Susanna" are based on the major pentatonic scale.
scale

The major pentatonic scale uses the I, II, III, V and VI degrees. degrees
The most important degree of a scale is the tonic (first note or first degree.)

4º) Write out the pentatonic scale of C major and indicate below the
notes the different degrees of the scale.

5º) Write out the pentatonic scale of G major.

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6º) Compose a small tune with the following characteristics:

- C major pentatonic scale. Time signature: 4/4 time. Four bars.
- Two sub-phrases (or phrase members) of two bars.
- Start the first sub-phrase
phrase with the fifth degree and end in the second bar with
degrees II, III or V.
- Repeat the beginning of the sub-phase and end the tune on the tonic (grade
I).
- Use at least one dotted crotchet in each sub-phrase.
sub

7º) Rhythm dictation

PROJECT: Create a didactic video that deals with the folkloric music of one of
the autonomous regions of Spain. You will choose this region and refer to
traditional dances, songs, instruments and ensembles.

1.2 Popular music:

It is music that is distributed to large audiences through the music
industry and mass media. It appeals to popular tastes. The term Pop music
refers to one musical genre that is included in popular music.
music Examples of
popular music styles: blues, rock, pop, disco, rap, hip hop...

Halftime shows of the Super Bowl:

Bowl
Michael Jackson Madonna Bruno Mars
https://youtu.be/idg8TNknvDU/ http://youtu.be/W795W63n7mA / https://youtu.be/F2i0Bc3f7jk

1.3 Classical music (art music)

This term refers to music of
o different periods and styles that was
written in a Western musical tradition by great composers such as
Vivaldi, Mozart, Beethoven or Stravinsky.
Stravinsky Classical music is generally considered
to be serious and to have a lasting value.
Example: “O Fortuna” (Carmina Burana) by the German composer Carl Orff (1895-
1982). André Rieu conducts this performance. https://youtu.be/EJC-_j3SnXk
_j3SnXk

2. OTHER WAYS OF CLASSIFYING

CLASSI MUSIC
2.1 Religious music, sacred music / secular music, profane music.
We use the term secular to refer to something which is not religious.

Religious music / non-religious

non music (profane music, secular music)

Example: Music in the Middle Ages (5th-15th centuries)

With the development of music writing in the Middle Ages, we have
information about the differences that existed between religious and secular
music.

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Gregorian chant is the basis of religious medieval music in the

Christian Church. During this era, convents and monasteries became the
great centers of culture. Gregorian chant owes its name to the Pope Gregory
the Great who collected the Christian Church´s songs. Gregorian chant turned
into the Church´s official chant and it was part of the liturgy (the mass).
This chant was monodic*, written in Latin and performed by monks with no
instrumental accompaniment.

In the 11th century, an Italian monk, Guido d´Arezzo invented the

stave and the notes. Later on, the development of music writing helped to
create polyphony*.

From the 12th century until the 14th century, secular music began to
gain importance. In the south of France, troubadours, nobles musicians
composed love songs for the ladies or described the adventures of knights at
war through songs. Their music was played in castles. The voice was
accompanied by instruments with marked and varied rhythms. The texture of
their music was monophonic and they used regional languages in their texts.
This movement developed throughout Europe.

Profane music progressively incorporated religious music advances such

as music writing and the use of polyphony.

*Monody or monophony: it is a musical texture in which all the singers or

musicians sing or play the same melodic line without any harmony. In secular
music, the main tune is often doubled with melodic instruments and
accompanied by rhythmic instruments.
*Polyphony: it is a musical texture in which different melodic lines are
sounding at the same time, are quite independent and have a similar
importance.

Early Music History: Middle Ages, parts 1, 2 and 3.

Gregorian Chant: https://youtu.be/iKt2m9-gqYA
Polyphonic sacred music: https://youtu.be/Iqry2zYPWfI
Secular music (Goliards, Jongleurs, minstrels, troubadours..):
https://youtu.be/wykrpSBa7VY

2.2 Dramatic vocal music /concert vocal music.

• Dramatic vocal music: it is vocal music that is a mix of theatre and
music such as the opera or the musicals. It is based on a plot or story
with different characters. The soloists are both singers and actors who
are accompanied by an orchestra or a band.
"Marriage of Figaro" by Mozart https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7qkbx5fG4U
GREASE (1978) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAEfu5Z6Cbc

• Concert vocal music: It is vocal music performed on stage without any

dramatic action. The soloists do not have to be actors, they simply sing
their part.
Example: An oratorio is a large musical composition for
orchestra, choir, and soloists. Like an opera, an oratorio includes the use
of a choir, soloists, an ensemble, various characters, and arias.

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However, opera is profane musical theatre, while oratorio is strictly a

religious concert piece. The plot of an oratorio deals with sacred topics,
making it appropriate for performance in the church.
“Hallelujah Chorus" by Handel from "The Messiah"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76RrdwElnTU

2.3 Absolute music/programme music (Classical instrumental music)

• Absolute music is music that does not refer to extra-musical elements
(texts, landscapes or feelings...). This type of music is exclusively based
on musical ideas and forms.
Example: Piano concertos and sonatas by Mozart.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2uYb6bMKyI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=El_vzJWa2XY

• Programme music: It is classical instrumental music based on extra-

musical elements such as a plot, a text, feelings, nature ... Sometimes,
this type of music can be descriptive (For instance: "The Four Seasons"
by Antonio Vivaldi).
"Danse Macabre" by Camille Saint Saëns (1835-1921) (Symphonic Poem)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKrSM2QBfsY

EXERCISES:
1º) Listen to the following extracts and classify them using the
correct terminology. Remember that one piece of music can belong to
different genres at the same time.
a) Juan Del Encina (1468-1529) / Renaissance / “Levanta Pascual, levanta”
https://youtu.be/f9rOxRztzmc

b) G. Verdi (1813-1901) / Romanticism / “Dies Irae” (Requiem/Mass for the

dead) https://youtu.be/TVjDP0vlem4

c) Tomás Luis de Victoria (1548-1611) / Renaissance / “Tenebrae Factae Sunt”

https://youtu.be/njiU_cyzDVs

d) C. Monteverdi (1567-1643) / Baroque era / “Orfeo, Favola in musica".

https://youtu.be/0_kVeA1YGVY

e) A. Vivaldi (1678-1741)/ Baroque era/ "The Storm" (The Four Seasons)

https://youtu.be/kY7nhl_V97o

f) Mamma Mia! (1999) / Songs by ABBA https://youtu.be/D32x3Y6_Sbw

2º) Which musical genres are not represented in this list? Indicate for
each one, one example.

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Department of Music IES Jiménez de la Espada (Cartagena)

3. MUSICAL STYLES AND PERIODS IN CLASSICAL MUSIC

MIDDLE AGES (From the 5th century until the first half of the 15th century)
Gregorian chants, minstrels, troubadours, polyphonic masses

RENAISSANCE (15th and 16th centuries)

Palestrina, Tomás Luis de Victoria, Juan Del Encina, Josquin Des Prés…

BAROQUE (From the 17th century until the first half of the 18th century)
C. Monteverdi, A. Vivaldi, G.F. Handel, J.S. Bach…

CLASSICICISM (Second half of the 18th century and the two first decades of
the 19th century).
J. Haydn, W.A. Mozart, L.V. Beethoven …

ROMANTICISM (19th century)

Chopin, Shubert, Schumann, Tchaikovsky, Verdi, Wagner…
Spanish nationalist composers: Albéniz, Granados…

20TH CENTURY : Wide variety of musical styles (Impressionism, neoclassical

music, expressionism, serialism, electronic music, aleatoric music, nationalist...)
C.Debussy, I.Stravinsky, Manuel de Falla, M.Ravel…

4. ANALYSIS OF A PIECE OF MUSIC

TEXTURE:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/music/elements_of_music/texture1.shtml
https://youtu.be/_J2R20X16Jc
DYNAMICS: https://youtu.be/Tzul5QiuAtU

EXERCISES: We are going to work on the examples of the exercise nº 1 from

part 2.
1º) Indicate the types of orchestra, choir and soloist who perform the
following pieces of music.
b) c) e)

2º) Which type of tempo is it?

b) c) e)

3º) Indicate in the following extracts which dynamic resource is used

by the composer.
- Autumn by A. Vivaldi https://youtu.be/hpYXIv0EKE8

- Piotr Ilich Tchaikovsky - 1812 Overture (Finale) https://youtu.be/u2W1Wi2U9sQ

What can we say about the tempo in this piece of music?

4º) Which texture is it?

Mozart ´s Clarinet Concerto (second movement) https://youtu.be/6QAAZ29cvfU

San Matthew Passion by J.S. Bach (Opening Chorus)

https://youtu.be/6XBZQqLUq00?list=RD6XBZQqLUq00