Music has been evolving since its creation. This evolution of music has led to a wide variety of music that all people can enjoy. Artists who make great music are praised and revered for their talent, and recently this has led to many aspiring musicians who want to acquire fame and fortune through their music. In the United States, music is constantly evolving, and in recent years, this evolution of music has accelerated at a very rapid rate. Music has evolved for many reasons, including improved technology, changing culture, and the desire to create something new.
Mainly, the change in music has been related to culture. During the Middle Ages the daily music of music was located in two places, the church and the tavern. This was not a good environment for good music to flourish. However, during the Baroque period, 1600-1750, wealthy people began to hire musicians to compose music for them. These patrons would pay musicians to compose and perform music for the patrons’ enjoyment and for entertainment at their parties. Music didn’t change much in Europe for a long time. In America, music began to evolve in its own way. This new country had its own culture and this was reflected in its music and dance. One of the main styles of music originated in Detroit and is called big band. It’s called a big band, because a big band was used to create snappy, catchy melodies. This style of music soon became popular in Europe and America in the 1920s. Big band music was very positive for America as a means of enjoyment and entertainment.
Adolf Rickenbacker invented the electric guitar in the late 1920s and in doing so changed music forever. This was the first time that people began to use electricity to amplify their instruments. Also, with the invention of the electric guitar came the birth of Jazz music. Before the electric guitar came on the scene, it was nearly impossible to incorporate a guitar into a band’s music because it wasn’t loud enough, but the electric guitar solved the volume problem. African-Americans strongly connect rhythm with their music. This can be seen in the tribal music of Africa which consists of drumming and chanting. African-Americans took over the electric guitar and used it to blast poppy rhythms over brass instruments and Jazz was born. Jazz was a type of music that spoke as a kind of rebellion against culture. It was nothing like the music played in church, and it was perfect for dancing. African-Americans took over jazz and made it part of their culture. However, racism was still ingrained in American culture and many whites disliked jazz music simply because it was usually performed by black musicians. However white musicians began to play the songs originally written and performed by African Americans, once this began to occur more whites began to appreciate Jazz. Somehow, certain whites thought it was okay to listen to jazz as long as it was performed by other whites. In general, jazz music was very positive for American culture because it helped make African-Americans proud.
As the culture continues to change, there will be a reflection of this in the music that is made. America, in particular, has a culture that is always changing and growing, and this will lead, and has, to continual change in music. Rock n Roll appeared on the scene at the end of the 40s and from its beginnings it was about rebellion. The word “rock” as used in Rock n Roll means to shake things up, and the word “roll” is slang for sexual intercourse. Rolling Stone argued that Elvis Presley’s 1954 hit “That’s Alright Mama” was the first Rock n Roll song, but this is highly debatable. In the 1950s, youth were emerging from the postwar era and entering a fun-loving culture of freedom. Elvis Presley arrived on the scene wielding his electric guitar and rocking out to catchy tunes. Although by today’s standards Presley’s music is considered tame, in the 1950s he was at the forefront of teenage rebellion. Presley was criticized for turning his pelvis during performances, this and his “dirty” lyrics led to some of his songs being banned from certain radio stations. Elvis could not be stopped and his popularity continued to grow wildly. The culture continued to change with the introduction of birth control during the 1960s and this led to the hippie era which was deeply ingrained in music, particularly folk and rock n roll. The hippies were all about having “free love,” which meant you should be able to have sex with whoever, wherever, and whenever you want, as long as you don’t hurt anyone else. The Hippie movement has had very negative effects on society and was fueled by rock n roll music.
New technology was introduced in the 1960s and 1970s and paved the way for many new styles. This technology was the use of digital effects that were placed on the songs. This technology was brought to the center of pop culture with disco music. Disco Music has a strong melody with deep beats that are perfect for dancing. This type of dance is not technical in nature. People of all levels can participate. However, teen culture at the time was divided between the pop sound of disco and the cool rebellion of rock n roll. Most of these changes in music have been due to culture, and more directly to the culture of youth. Although music is enjoyed by people of all ages, it is primarily teenagers who shaped and continue to shape music in the 20th century and beyond.
The effect of music on cultures is difficult to place in a strictly positive or negative light. Of the examples of music trends given above, some were positive and some were negative. However, it cannot be said that they are totally good or totally bad. These changes in music reflected the culture into which they were introduced, and often these changes brought about good and bad reforms. There are some fads in music that many would say are completely negative, like rap. The vast majority of rap music heard on the radio is full of explicit content, which is why it receives a poor wrapper. Rap music is often inspired by the life of gangsters, but people don’t consider that when these people write music instead of starting fights in the street. Although rap music is often inappropriate, it has given young African Americans something constructive to do with their time that won’t lead to them being perceived as losers by other gangsters. Therefore, rap has both positive and negative aspects, just like trends in music.
America has started several trends and fads when it comes to music, and they will continue to do so. Since the United States is a melting pot of cultures, there is a wealth of new music that will become apparent as time goes on. If there was going to be a stagnation in the music industry, there had to be a stagnation in the culture. However, the culture of American youth has been constantly changing at an ever-increasing rate. With all this change, there are no signs that the music industry is slowing down. New songs will always be written, and new styles of music will always surface in the music world. The study of popular music in a culture gives a person deep insight into the values of the culture, because the culture of a population is directly related to its music.
