Popular Music Research

Words: 1408
Pages: 6
Open Document
Defining Popular Music

‘Popular music’ is a term that currently and historically has relied on varied interpretation to function. It is difficult to present a fixed definition of the term due to the problematic research methods/approaches coming from a variety of backgrounds that have allowed us to arrive at this point. The lack of consensus in the academic realm surrounding exactly what encompasses popular music and whether or not it should be a discipline of it’s own, alongside problematic relational studies has blurred the academic lines of popular music studies. This lack of agreement has also potentially influenced media scepticism and pushed a narrative that has hindered the term ‘popular music’ from a non-academic angle. The Centre …show more content…
The following will investigate and exhibit other potential perspectives surrounding the definition of the term popular music and highlights important historical events and figures to the development of this area of study. The growing acknowledgement of the sociological aspect of music since the unsteady, textual beginning of Popular Music Studies has been a positive development in academia, however, whether a definition should be in terms of social characteristics, aesthetics or both is yet to be generally agreed-upon and requires further academic discussion.

A Historical Perspective

As an academic focus, popular music studies has always been under dispute. In the 1960’s at the beginning of popular music studies, much of the research focussed on the textual aspect of music. Lyrical analysis was initially popular amongst English Literature academics, and classical musicians would often draw comparisons between popular music of the time and the music of famous composers such as Handel and Beethoven. The focus here was on musical analysis, harmony, chords, orchestration, performance technique/skill, etc. Cloonan states, ‘popular music was thus initially judged by how far it fitted into a Western canon’, as …show more content…
From this point of view, the focus when studying popular music, should be on the social aspect, ‘the social penetrates, produces or contextualizes music.’ (Prior, 2011) Questions surrounding the masses, how they interact with popular music and what makes it popular are at the forefront of sociological research in relation to this topic, determining and/or hypothesising the social forces behind the popularity of genres, songs, trends and more. Thus begs the question, should the term popular music be defined in relation to mass interaction and possibly even social forces? The word ‘popular’ alone is tied with sociology. In the Oxford dictionary, the word ‘popular’ when relating to ‘cultural activities or products’ is defined as ‘intended for or suited to the taste, understanding, or means of the general public rather than specialists or intellectuals.’, which could potentially relate to music as a cultural activity or product, however, this definition is very casual and lacks acknowledgement for the forces behind popular music and leaves many open ended questions, i.e. geographical location, points of origin, accessibility, etc. This definition cannot function effectively in the academic realm as it allows space for ignorance. It can be (and has historically been) interpreted from a
Show More

Related Documents: Popular Music Research

Gather Enough Information To Present Southside Promotions With Recommendations On Marketing Strategies

The aim of this market research was to gather enough information to present Southside Promotions with recommendations on marketing strategies and also to show them my findings for them to make marketing decisions based on what they feel will be successful. I aimed to find out useful and important information such as information on the target populations current clubbing experiences, this was done as primary research through a questionnaire sent out to people in the target market. Other information…

Words 1526 - Pages 7

Influence of Western Music in India Essay

creation, performance, significance and even the definition of music vary according to culture and context. Music can be divided into genres and subgenres, although the dividing lines and relationships between music genres are often subtle, sometimes open to individual interpretation, and occasionally controversial. Within the arts, music may be classified as a performing art, a fine art, and auditory art. To many people in many cultures music is an important part of their way of life. By all accounts…

Words 5694 - Pages 23

Popular Music Essay 1

role does popular music play in the lives of young people in the context of their education?’ The two readings that I shall be looking at is ‘Creating Race: The Role of Taste in Youth’s Production of Identities’ by Nadine E Dolby and Lucy Green’s chapter on ‘ideology’. Introduction In my essay I will argue how the global and local concept of popular music is used as a means for young people to construct their identity. I shall discuss how informal learning pedagogies concerning popular music can engage…

Words 3453 - Pages 14

File Sharing and Music Downloading Illegal Essay example

Illegal Music Downloading Illegal music downloading is very popular all around the the world, there are millions of sites that provide the opportunity to illegally download music just with the access of internet. Illegal music downloading is like robbery in most peoples eyes because the fact that it’s illegal and supposedly the music industry is losing money, but what some people don’t realize is in fact this can raise the popularity in the music/artist/album. Regardless illegal music downloading…

Words 647 - Pages 3

The Beatles and Mary Quant Essay

Research Homework John Lennon John Winston Ono was a musician, singer and songwriter who was a founder and member of the rock band the Beatles. The Beatles were very popular with young people, especially teenagers. Young people began to have their own type of music. Young people were heavily influenced by the music that they listened to and the Beatle was one of the most popular bands at the time. John Lennon’s song and lyrics spread the message of equality, sexual freedoms and the acceptance of…

Words 635 - Pages 3

Essay report "British music industry"

Write the report about your presentation dealing with the British music industry 763 words . For Mr. Colin Wilson Student no 26151 The submission is due by Wednesday the tenth of December Music is very important to a country’s culture broadcast and this involves an importance in its economy as well. On this date, according to ukmusic.org, the United Kingdom music industry has been contributing 3.56 billion pounds to the country’s economy. The purpose of this report is thus…

Words 906 - Pages 4

Negative Effects Of Listening To Music

Positive effect of listen to music When we talk about the music, music is art and science that entertained, happy, unwinds and listener get the benefit in direct and indirect by listening to music. Music is like a friend that the part of humans since past and present. Often found in ritual, praying, celebration, festival because music can be conveyed emotion that easy to recognize and result to happiness. Many people ask questions that why is music important. Of course! it's good effect and important…

Words 1377 - Pages 6

Music In Japan Book Review

Book Review Music in Japan: Experiencing Music, Expressing Culture, Bonnie C. Wade, New York Oxford University Press 2005, 2004041486 Music in Japan is one of several case-study volumes apart of the Thinking Musically, Global Music Series. Music in Japan offers a vibrant preface to the music of modern Japan, a nation in which traditional, western, and popular music thrive side by side. Drawing on many years of experience, author Bonnie C. Wade focuses on the major periods of the…

Words 839 - Pages 4

Personal Project: Global Context Of Personal And Cultural Expression

the music based on classical period and gather all the information to create an app by extending the creativity. Also, by researching the western music, I had opportunity to explore their culture as well. Personal Interest Choosing a topic that is personal and also challenging was hard for me. First, I listed the things I am interested in. They were business, music, cooking, writing, environment, and animal. I finally decided to choose a topic, which I am most interested in which is music. I looked…

Words 473 - Pages 2

How Did Jimi Hendrix Develop

in the younger generation, then you likely haven’t. Popular in the late 60s, Jimi was a very talented musician and was one of the many artists to experiment with psychedelic music. Jimi experimented with psychedelic music, most famous for his unique way of playing his iconic electric guitar. His outstanding ability to play electric guitar brought him to fame and he only grew, making hit after hit. Jimi was in the military and started playing music when he got out of it. Starting with songs like “Hey…

Words 293 - Pages 2