Pure music is performance without human voices
The charm and beauty of light music are different from both classical music and pop music. The moving melody, beautiful harmony, novel orchestration, rich timbre, and strong romantic sentiment all give people a new feeling and create the unique beauty of light music. The piece "Charm" performed by the Mandovani Band epitomizes this beauty. The extremely pleasant sound flows into people's hearts like intoxicating fragrance, and people can't help but shout in their hearts: "It's so beautiful!" The band played "Time Passes", "Autumn Leaves" and "Yesterday" The beauty that the music brings to people is also difficult to express in words.
Listening to the performance of the Paul Moria Band, one feels that every note is permeated with the unique romantic sentiment of the French nation, reminding you of the fragrance of wine, roses, and tulips; the sunshine of the Mediterranean, A lover's laughter and tears. He showed various romantic feelings and poetry in life, which aroused strong excitement in people. His famous work "Love is Blue" became a hit in Europe and the United States in the 1960s and has remained popular for a long time, becoming a piece that light music bands compete to play.
The beauty of "Evenings on the outskirts of Moscow" played by the James Last Band is irreplaceable: with the guitar gently strumming several decomposed chords, the percussion instruments Against the background of the bright rhythm played, the grand piano played the main melody of the song softly and euphemistically. Then the beautiful mixed chorus sounded softly along with the extension of string strings, sometimes strong and sometimes weak, sometimes far and sometimes near, bringing people into the distant Russian night full of warm and romantic atmosphere. The whole music is dreamlike and beautiful. If listening to symphony is like watching a drama, then listening to light music is like reading beautiful poems and watching elegant landscape paintings, which is pleasing to the ear and refreshing.
Enter the warm and romantic poetic country - Talking about light music (4)
Novel and unique adaptation techniques
Most conductors of light music bands are proficient in classical music , can play a variety of instruments. They are both the conductor of the band and the arranger of the music. The unique charm of light music is largely due to their creative arrangement of the original music. Among them, the most frequently used method is to reprocess the rhythm, speed, intensity, beat and other musical elements of the original music. The more common method is to give classical music the rhythm of Latin dance music, jazz, rock, and disco music, and strengthen the original music through percussion instruments. The rhythmic characteristics and beat emphasis of the music create a strong contrast between the form and content of the music. For example, use disco rhythm to play Mozart's Serenade, use tango rhythm to play Brahms' Hungarian Dance, use samba, cha-cha, and rumba rhythms to play Dvo?ák's Slavonic Dances and Offenbach's Barcarolle. Wait, it sounds enthusiastic and unrestrained, very contagious. Some popular songs with originally intense rhythms are "softened" with a slow tempo, thus creating a new listening experience.
Colorful and unique orchestration is another main method of light music adaptation. First, they like to use some unrefined folk instruments, such as mandolin, Spanish guitar, harmonica, accordion, etc., and often let them play the main melody, so as to create a special musical mood and atmosphere, and combine it with traditional orchestral music. The musical instruments form a contrast in timbre, making the sound varied and colorful. Second, he likes to use various percussion instruments, such as xylophone, snare drum, jazz drum, tambourine, triangle, percussion bells, maracas, etc. He also uses some distinctive ethnic and folk percussion instruments to make the sound lively and sensory. impact on. The third is to enrich the band's timbre and add a modern flavor to the sound by adding electroacoustic instruments. Electronic instruments, percussion instruments, and traditional string instruments are perfectly integrated to create a bright, light, vivid and lively sound effect. The fourth is to add wordless vocal humming to enhance the beautiful musical atmosphere. James Rust is the pioneer in this regard. His band has a dedicated mixed chorus. During the performance, accompanied by a modern rhythm, the moving wordless mixed singing alternates with the beautiful melody played by the band. It appears, rises and falls, and is extremely beautiful. For example, the band played Beethoven's "Für Elise" and Offenbach's "Barcarolle" with mixed male and female voices singing without words, which sounded unique and beautiful.
CLASSICAL MUSIC, translated into Chinese as "classical music". Some people think that "classical" feels antique and old-fashioned, so it is renamed "classical music". Some people also call it "serious music" based on the definition of classical in the Oxford English Dictionary, in traditional and serious style. As a result, "classical music" has been labeled as "serious" again, making people even more afraid to approach it. But the person who made this definition must not have checked the dictionary carefully, because the second meaning of serious is defined as follows: (referring to books, music, etc.) to inspire thinking, not just for entertainment. Therefore, we know that the original difference between classical music and pop music is that it has profound connotations, can make people think deeply, and can make people noble and avoid vulgarity. Let’s take a look at Longman Dictionary’s explanation of classical music: music that people consider serious and that has been popular for a long time. It can be seen that classical music is music that has withstood the test of time, remains popular for a long time, and is loved by everyone. From this point of view, it is indeed more appropriate to translate it as "classic music". It's just that everyone is used to saying it, and it always feels awkward to change the word. Let's call it "classical music." The only fault is that the first translator at the time did not expect that "classical" would bring so many misunderstandings. Fortunately, it is not translated as "serious music", otherwise it would really make people laugh.
When we listen to the music of Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, and Schubert, it brings us not only beautiful melodies, interesting musical thoughts, but also the most sincere emotions. Either tranquil and elegant, or shocking and inspiring, or joyful and happy, or sad and melancholy...
Lecture 1: The scope and appreciation methods of traditional music
Part 1 , The types and scope of music included in traditional music
In today's Chinese music, there are not only rich historical resources, but also rich folk traditional resources. These resources are living traditions that attract the interest of Chinese and foreign scholars. According to traditional Chinese music theory, China's national folk music can be divided into five categories.
1. Instrumental music
Chinese instrumental music can be divided into two categories: solo and ensemble. Solo music is again divided into categories such as bowing, plucking, windpipe, and percussion.
Similarly, ensemble music can also be further divided into string music, silk and bamboo music, wind music, drum music and wind and percussion music. These five types of ensemble music constitute the essence of traditional Chinese music.
2. Opera music
There are more than 300 types of local operas in China. These opera types can be divided into four categories according to different music: (1) Pihuang tune; (2) Bangzi tune; (3) Kun tune; (4) Gao tune. Peking Opera belongs to Pihuang style.
3. Rap ??music
China is considered a country rich in rap music. Rap refers to the musical component contained in folk art. The main feature of this type of music is that storylines are often narrated during singing. According to a preliminary survey, there are more than 300 local rap music types across the country, which can be divided into eight categories: (1) Drum lyrics; (2) Qinshu; (3) Tanci); (4) Fishing drums); 5 (Brands) (6) walking singing; (7) miscellaneous songs); (8) chanting.
4. Folk songs
Folk songs are the basis of all kinds of folk music. In China, due to its vast territory and large population, there are rich and colorful folk songs in various places. Generally speaking, Chinese folk songs can be divided into three major categories: (1) folk songs; (2) minor tunes; (3) labor songs.
5. Folk dance music
There are also many kinds of folk dances in China with different styles. The most popular ones include (1) Yangge; (2) waist drum; (3) land boat racing; (4) lanterns; (5) tea picking; and so on.
New Age Music
That is, New Age Music
New Age Music style
The style of New Age music, I call it It is divided into two categories: one is the direct category (such as Contemporary Instrumental, etc.), the other is the branch category (such as Adult Alternative, etc., please note that the relationship between the branch here and New Age Music can be included or included), and the third is the earth. Everyone knows it (such as Natural, Healing, etc.). I will say more about the first two categories. I will just click on what you already know. There is nothing more to say.
(1) Direct category
Contemporary Instrumental
Contemporary Instrumental music contains the aesthetics of Progressive Electronic music in New Age music. But it comes more from a wide range of emotions and fashions. Radical electronic music emphasizes luxurious, delicate and grand compositions, while Contemporary Instrumental is much freer, so that its compositions are simple and quiet, and obvious personal solos are also added to enhance its melodic audibility. When Contemporary Instrumental wants to create a soft and comfortable atmosphere, musicians will use a large number of acoustic instruments. The recordings of pianist George Winston in the early 1980s established the direction of this music's development.
Not all such music artists believe in New Age philosophy, even though their music is often inspired by similar emotions; moreover, Contemporary Instrumental can range from pop, rock, jazz, folk, classical and Drawing elements from world music and other music. After the 1980s and 1990s, this music further intersected with other music types, making some musicians not limited to Contemporary Instrumental.
Neo-Classical
This kind of music has two points: first, it is influenced by classical music; second, it does not use the usual classical music interpretation method. Many contemporary instrumentalists were born playing classical music, but these people do not agree with the rules and regulations in classical music. Instead, they break these constraints and find new ways. Some directly use the works of their predecessors and reinterpret them according to their own ideas. , this is neoclassical. In addition to the influence from classical music, neoclassical music also has many elements taken from Baroque, Romanticism and Impressionism.
Ethnic Fusion
Do not confuse Ethnic Fusion here with World Fusion (the fusion of jazz music and world music) and Worldbeat (world music with elements of Western pop music) . Ethnic Fusion is generally based on the sound and philosophy of New Age music. It integrates traditional ethnic music into contemporary electronic music in order to find a harmony and balance between the Western emphasis on technology and the culture of nature and nation. Jazz musicians Tony Scott and Don Cherry may have been the first to synthesize world music into a Western musical genre; Jon Hassell's famous music broadened the scope of these Ethnic Fusion experiments and thus gave rise to the genre in the 1970s , and later collaborated with Ambient pioneer Brian Eno in the early 1980s. Gradually, this music genre has become a way for many contemporary adventurous instrumentalists to broaden their musical horizons by borrowing fresh rhythms and non-Western instruments, while others are exploring unique ethnic music. Add elements of contemporary instrumental music or new age music. Artists of the latter include Clannad (Celtic folk music), Ottmar Liebert (flamenco), Kitaro (Japanese traditional music) and R. Carlos Nakai (native American flute music).
In the early 1990s, Enigma, Dead Can Dance and Deep Forest introduced club dance rhythms and mixing techniques to this music, whose applications ranged from European medieval music to sampled African indigenous music. But even so, this music is rarely likely to have a bigger market breakthrough.
Meditation
Meditation (can be regarded as an advanced way of napping). Today, when New Age is popular, meditation has become an important way of practice for New Agers, and music to match this method has also been produced. There is a lot of music in New Age music that is specially made for meditation activities (sometimes it is not suitable to be listened to as music). This kind of music generally has no obvious rhythm, and the music is smooth and smooth, allowing the listener to relax physically and mentally. Sometimes musicians will also use some natural sound effects to enhance the rendering of the artistic conception.
Solo Instrumental
This kind of music is usually created by musicians inspired by folk music, and its interpretation is usually pure instruments, such as piano, guitar, Celtic harp Pure musical instruments, and even cast dulcimers. This music directly contributed to the successful new age music labels such as Windham Hill and Narada, which in turn steered this music in an impressionistic direction in their development. Many works in this music are quite innovative and very touching. It was only later that some second-rate music opportunists sneaked in, resulting in this music becoming known as "auditory wallpaper". Of course, some outstanding music artists are still showing people the true nature of this music. .
Techno-Tribal
Techno-Tribal is a unique variant of Ethnic Fusion. This is especially seen in the works of some radical electronic acoustic musicians, who creatively integrate the most primitive musical expressions of mankind with today's technological means (especially electronic music technology). Specifically, they combine African, Australian, and North-South music. The tribal music rhythms of the Americas are reimagined with masterful electronic music. Creating this kind of music requires a high degree of skill and musical perception, and if the musician can successfully combine the two, the result will be a very good work, and conversely, it will be the basis for this music. A parody of those cultures that existed in the past.
(2) Alternative type
Adult Alternative
This style covers a wider range. It is used when people do not want to listen to ordinary pop music but do not want to listen to it. Produced in a context that deviates from the mainstream. This style of music is mostly influenced by Pop, Rock and Jazz Fusion. Most of the time, it is mainly instrumental music. Good musicians can create beautiful melodies, colorful instrument sounds and energetic rhythms, deviating from the mainstream. Without breaking away from the mainstream, of course, there are some works that are just cliche pop music.
Note: Adult Alternative is a broad term and does not only refer to New Age Music
Ambient
No need to say more about this! Everyone must know it.
Chamber Jazz
The external manifestation of this kind of music is in the form of a small performance group based on acoustic instrumental music. There are two important factors in this kind of music: First, improvisation The creation is more inclined to the jazz style at this time; the second is the ethnic music (Ethnic) element, so it also absorbs traditional music from cultures around the world. The creation of this kind of music tends towards neoclassical musical aesthetics and is influenced by Impressionism.
Electro-Acoustic
This style of music often represents the development of music technology itself, but it is different from general sampling and the use of synthesizers to reproduce the original sound. The composer's aim is to mutate the original sound, sometimes even reaching an imperceptible state. True artists of this type never use preset sounds on modern synthesizers, but instead create their own unique sounds. In the avant-garde realm of this type of music, the electronic component plays a more important role in the overall concept of the work, while acoustic instruments are also used to add a new listening perspective to the author's technique.
Finally, this kind of music has two sides: good works can give you a new world of listening, thinking and perception, while bad works will indulge in technology and ignore the emotional expression of music.
(3) Everyone on earth knows
Healing
Just take it literally. This kind of New Age music allows the listener to listen to the music while listening to it. Achieving a therapy-like effect, the structure and sounds of this music are largely taken from Contemporary Instrumental.
Nature
No need to say more! Incorporating natural sounds into Contemporary Instrumental music brings art and nature together.
Self-Help
This kind of music is also based on Contemporary Instrumental, and may be Contemporary Instrumental at the same time. Self-Help highlights the purpose of this music-to allow the listener to Listen to soft music to relax.
Relaxation
Understanding is the same as Self-Help
Spiritual
Understanding is the same as Healing