Classical Music - A Friend of Rock and Pop

Influence is widespread

Classical music certainly has an influence on many aspects of society. This includes music, movies, poetry, commercials, and culture in general. Many artists, whether they play rock, pop, jazz, hip hop, or other types of music, implement various components of classical music in their work. In a way, every kind of music is related to the music that preceded it. Rock and roll was heavily influenced by blues and country music. It also drew from folk, jazz, and classical.

Much can be learned from the Baroque period

Many rules of music theory were developed during the Baroque period of 1600-1750. This period included composers such as Bach, Handel, and Vivaldi. These rules are just as relevant today as they were back then. Included are theories concerning chords, scales, note patterns, and chord progressions. A lot of musicians learn from these theories, and then implement the knowledge. The modern piano was invented during the Baroque period by Bartolomeo Cristofori of Italy. So anyone playing a piano or listening to piano music is connected to the Baroque period.

Rock musicians utilize classical music

Throughout the decades, many rock and rollers have taken bits and pieces from classical music, and inserted its knowledge and technique into their own style of play. The following artists borrowed from classical music for at least one of their songs. This includes Elvis Presley, The Ventures, The Toys, Procol Harem, The Beatles, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Neil Diamond, John Denver, Barry Manilow, Eric Carmen, ELO, The Beach Boys, Deep Purple, Billy Joel, Rainbow, Sting, and Green Day, who based their hit "Basket Case" on Pachelbel's Canon in D Major. Relatively new artists such as Alicia Keys are also influenced by classical music.

A big winner in 2012 is classically influenced

Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, better known just as Adele, won six Grammy awards in 2012. This tied the record for most Grammy awards in one night, including the record, song, and album of the year. Classical music was a big influence in the music of Adele. Her 2011 recording "Someone Like You" has definite similarities to the music of Franz Schubert, who was born in 1797. Schubert was an important composer of the era called "The Classical Period". I play the intro to "Someone Like You" on piano. You can hear and feel the classical influence.

Being influenced by classical music

A lot of artists from many genres are influenced by classical music. Being influenced can mean taking a note pattern from Mozart, and incorporating it into your playing style. It could be note for note, or a very similar pattern. It can also mean taking a classical chord progression, and implementing it into your playing or song writing. It can be all or part of the chord progression that is used. The possibilities are virtually endless.

I learned Bach's "Minuet in D Minor" on piano. I was influenced by the wonderful sounding note patterns. Now, when I play certain chord progressions, time permitting, there is a good chance I will play the following note pattern right before an F chord. The note pattern is C#-E-G-A#-A-G-(F-E). The notes in parentheses I added myself. Even though I might be playing rock music, I am influenced to a certain degree by classical music. You can become a better player on piano or guitar, by implementing classical note patterns or chord progressions into your own style of playing. I suggest only adding ones you really like. It can work great. A perfect example is Adele.

Gary E Kerkow has been playing guitar for several decades. This includes teaching guitar, and playing in successful bands that toured the Twin Cities area. Kerkow is also an accomplished piano player.

The Relationship of Folk Music to Classical Music

Folk music is the music of a nation, culture or ethnic group. Each such group has its own characteristics, which includes such things as behavior, food, language, history, traditions, etc. The music and dance reflect these aspects and, as aesthetics, are communicated with soul. Folk music is almost like a language that tells of the various victories, hardships, sorrows and other survival factors that have transpired, usually over centuries. This gets passed down from generation to generation, without the formalities of academics and, most often, not in written form. But it is ingrained in the hearts of its people. It tends to apply to all of its people, regardless of social statuses or classes, and is therefore embracive but unique to its group.

The melodies are usually simple and could be no more than four notes. They are often repetitive with very simple harmonies and little to no modulation to other keys. However, some can have complicated rhythmic patterns, such as West African and Indian folk music. The instruments are unique, but quite often very similar or even the same in neighboring regions, such as the Chinese sanxian and the Japanese shamisen. However, the essence of each culture's music has its own characteristic, just like language. While there are nuances of each micro-region of a nation or area, just like a language and its dialects, they each possess the unique essence of their nation or area.

Listen to a traditional Persian folk tune and then an Irish one, or a Mongolian song and then a Balinese one. You will instantly note the flavor of each one.

Being simplistic does not mean that the artistic value of folk music is lost. It has its own intrinsic aesthetic value as it comes from the soul of the people and is performed with emotion, spirit and meaning. It tells a story.

Many classical composers have incorporated the folk melodies from their own cultures to their masterpiece compositions, such as Alexander Borodin (Russian) or Aram Khatchaturian (Armenian). In such a case, one cannot look at that piece as being folk music anymore, but instead, it becomes a more refined creation. It sophisticates into something finer and more worldly as opposed to something just localized. Its aesthetic quality is of a different nature.

However, certain world-class classical composers have incorporated folk elements from other cultures outside their own to their own compositions. We hear Russian, Chinese and Spanish elements by composers who are not of those ethnicities. Inspired by various melodies, masterpieces have been created. Again, one has to look at this from another perspective.

A great analogy would be Da Vinci's The Last Supper. This is strictly a work of fine art but it is obviously inspired by ancient cultural phenomena. Though, it does not reflect the exact customs and aspects of that culture in the way folk art would. The figures of that work all possess Western European features. The bread on the table is shown as leavened. These are peculiarities, perhaps even anachronisms, included by the creative license of the artist, which immediately show this work to be one of a fine art composition and not just a cultural artifact. The same principle may happen in music too, as in any other form of art.

Folk music is one of the key essences of a people, and is the aesthetic beauty that binds a culture. And this has expanded into being a major influence on music of an international level, which makes it even more special.

Classical Music

Classical music, like other forms of classical art, has not as many takers as those of light music. Nonetheless, classical music has its fans too and lots more are falling to its charms. Yet, those who turn to it often find it rather beyond their understanding and real appreciation. They are charmed by it, but they cannot critically explain why it appeals them. You cannot rationalize its appeal or beauty.

Another reason why a large majority of people are not very comfortable with classical music is its complexity and a sense of distance from the artist. Light music can be easily sung by ordinary artists with whom ordinary listeners can identify easily. It expresses the feelings of ordinary persons in their own language. Classical music, on the other hand, is rather mysterious and is rendered in diverse styles and it takes years, sometimes a life long time to understand .But its study has its rewards too. The more you study it, the more you enjoy it and the more you find it wonderful and worth the effort and hard work to study it.

The study or appreciation of classical music depends upon your individual taste. A form of music that appeals to you may not appeal to another person. You may come across experts who may try to influence you by their judgments about the quality of music. You may listen to them, but you should not compel yourself to like the music that they like. Or if you come across a much-acclaimed piece of music that you cannot really appreciate, you do not have to blame yourself for not liking it. You may of course try to find out why the particular expert likes a given piece of music. May be, you find some point to learn.

The most important thing about classical music is to listen to it as much as you can. Classical music CDs are available from many sources. If you are a student, your college library may have an abundant stock of classical music CDs. You can listen to radio, watch TV, and go to concerts and recitals. You can also get free downloads from the Internet, if you do not want to spend money.

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Stimulate Your Brain with Classical Music

I'll always remember my dad saying that he loved listening to birdsong early in the morning. The singing centered him in a way that I didn't understand at the time.

Now I know why he felt so refreshed.

Birdsong is a high frequency sound - around 5,000 hertz. Any sound between 5,000 and 8,000 hertz has been found to recharge our brain's batteries.

You know what else is amazing?

5,000 hertz is also the frequency that energizes plants. In fact plants showed a 700 percent increase in efficiency of absorbing nutrients when exposed to high frequency classical music. This frequency actually helps the little pores on the plant's leaves called stomata to open up.

And who says nature doesn't have a plan. That's why you'll find that in areas that don't have a lot of birds singing, there's not a lot of plant growth either.

Lots of birds equals lots of plants. Few birdsongs means not a whole lot of greenery. Now I know why we moved from Los Angeles to Asheville, North Carolina - we wanted birds and trees in our life.

Have you ever entered a room that has a weird or uncomfortable feeling about it? You might just be getting uncomfortable because of low frequency sound waves.

The lowest of those are called infrasound. They're produced by machines such as vehicles, household equipment and heating and cooling systems. It's been known for some time that these low frequency waves can cause symptoms such as nausea, headaches, fatigue, insomnia, vibration of internal organs and a feeling of oppression.

On the other hand, certain high frequency sounds literally energize your mind. Scientists have found that sounds from 5,000 to 8,000 hertz recharge your brain's batteries.

If your CD collection includes music by Mozart, Baroque Music or even Tibetan Chants, keep listening. In numerous studies, these sounds have been found to charge the cortex of the brain and stimulate health and wellness.

At 120-125 hertz you begin to hear the kick drums and bass guitar common to rock music. These lower frequencies produce the opposite effect - they drain us.

Why is this?

Because they have wave-lengths longer than we are tall, which is why lower frequencies are FELT as well as heard. You can feel this low frequency full-body sensation at dance clubs and rock concerts. Or from listening to most FM radio stations.

Since we are mostly exposed to low frequency sounds in the media, I strongly suggest you balance your brain and body by listening to high frequency classical music at least once a day. It's easy and effortless - and great for you.

Here's to your sound health.

Copyright 2006 Tania French

Composer Tania Gabrielle French has enjoyed performances and radio broadcasts of her music worldwide by Grammy Award winning artists. Her popular newsletter tells all about the secret effect of music on your mind and body. Subscribe now at http://www.artabundance.com © 2006 Tania Gabrielle French. All Rights Reserved.

Little About Indian Classical Music

Sitar, sarod, tabla, sarangi or dhrupad, khayal, ghazal or raga, tala, gharana- these are known the world over today. They represent Hindustani Art Music - in reality, a part of Indian Classical music. The terms North Indian Classical Music or Shstriya Sangeet are also occasionally used.

Indian music has developed through very complex interactions between different people of different races and cultures over several thousand years including the Vedic chant tradition dating back to approx. one millennia BCE, the equally ancient Persian tradition of Musiqi-e assil, and also the existent folk traditions prevalent in the region.

However, references to music in ancient texts, aesthetic formulations, and depictions and written discussions of musical instruments offer clues to the Indian music history.

Indian classical music allows for a much greater degree of "personalization" of the performance. Thus they do not represent mind of the composer but a universal idea of the world. They transmit not personal but impersonal emotion.

A difference with the western classical music is that Indian music is monodic, not polyphonic. Hindustani (North Indian) ragas are assigned to specific times of the day (or night) and to specific seasons. Many ragas share the same scale, and many ragas share the same melodic theme.

For most historical eras and styles, surviving treatises explaining musical scales and modes provide a particularly important means of recapturing at least a suggestion of the music of former times. Tracing the musical theory of the past makes clear the position of the present musical system.

You're Being Manipulated - How Music Affects Your Buying Habits

If you think music doesn't affect you, you'll be changing your tune after reading this. This is a true story of a recent study from Leicester University in England.

You're off to the supermarket and decide to stop by some shelves offering French and German wine. You make up your mind to buy a bottle of the French wine.

While checking out, you're asked why you picked the wine. You respond "The label looked great", or "I liked the price". Then you're asked if you noticed the French accordion music that was playing when you took that bottle off the shelf. You say that you did. Did it affect your choice of wine today? No, of course not, you answer.

That's funny because on the days that French music is played nearly 80% of shoppers chose the French wine. On the days that German music the Opposite happens.

In other words, this study found that if you bought some wine from their shelves you were 3 or 4 times more likely to choose a wine that matched the music than the wine that didn't match the music.

Guess what these wine-buyers responded when asked at the checkout if the music influenced their choice. Only 1 out of 44 customers said that the music was the reason they bought the wine. That's 2%!

The influence of the music was Huge but the customers Didn't Notice or Believe that it was affecting them. It only took a matter of minutes or seconds for music to get into these people's brains in a powerful way.

Similar experiments have shown that classical music can make people buy more expensive wine.

Here's another study to chew on. Most of us go out to eat at least once a week. Do you know which music makes you spend more when you're at a restaurant?

In this study, a British restaurant played pop music, classical music and no music over the course of 18 evenings. Average spending prices per person were calculated for the following categories:

Appetizers, Main Courses, Desserts, Coffee, Drinks from the Bar, Wine, Overall Beverage Bill, Overall Food Bill, and Total Amount Spent

They also measured the total time people spent in the restaurant. Here's what they found.

There was a Significant difference between evenings when classical music was played and no music or pop music were played. Classical music resulted in higher spending. Across the board in all categories. Other restaurants here and abroad have had similar results.

What does this mean? It's pretty simple. Classical music relaxes and makes you feel good. And feeling good makes you want the best.

That's why so many successful people listen to high frequency classical music. They know it helps them work better, think better, and get higher levels of energy. They know it won't deplete them, get them distracted and raise their heart rates, like hard-hitting low frequency music does.

The amazing effect that music has on your mind and body is being proven in study after study. It's information that should not be ignored. Especially these days, when we're exposed to music anytime we enter a building.

Copyright 2006 Tania French

Composer Tania Gabrielle French has enjoyed performances and radio broadcasts of her music worldwide by Grammy Award winning artists. Her popular newsletter tells all about the secret effect of music on your mind and body. Subscribe now at http://www.artabundance.com © 2006 Tania Gabrielle French. All Rights Reserved.

How Classical Piano Sheet Music Contributed to the Rise of Romance

Romantic music is a term that describes a particular style of classical music that arose in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. This music was related to Romanticism, a literary and artistic era, beginning in the late 1800s, primarily in Europe. The term "romantic" used in classical music does not necessarily refer to romantic love, although a romantic theme was present of much of the classical piano sheet music of this era. Romantic music is easily identified by its emotional expression and ability to evoke deep feelings. There was an emphasis on lyrical, song-like melodies, as well as rich harmonic qualities. There were many composers during this period; however, a few stand out among the rest.

Ludwig von Beethoven

Ludwig von Beethoven was a composer and pianist from Germany. He was a crucial figure as the Classical era gave way to the Romantic era. He is considered to be one of the best-loved and influential composers that ever lived. Many of his compositions remain favorites among music lovers today, such as "Moonlight Sonata," and "Fur Elise."

Franz Schubert

Franz Schubert was another well-known composer during the Romantic era. Although his life was tragically cut short, his beautiful melodies, accented by passion, nature imagery and poetic style, are remembered and loved to this day. One of his most popular compositions was "Piano Quintet in A major," also nicknamed "The Trout."

Fredric Chopin

Fredric Chopin was a famous Romantic composer from Poland, considered a child prodigy by the age of eight. Chopin was considered to be the master of piano for his generation, and he, more than any romantic composer, used the piano as an emotional tool. Chopin was famous for his waltzes, such as "Les Adieux," as well as pieces like "Revolutionary Etude, Opus 10, #12."

Classical Piano Sheet Music At Your Fingertips

These are just a few of the most well known composers that identified the Romantic era of classical music. Fortunately, for pianists of our day, the beautiful and memorable compositions of these men are kept alive primarily through classical piano sheet music. Sheet music has the advantage of being easily ordered online, or downloaded right from your computer for printing at home or office. Sheet music is a valuable tool for learning to play classical romantic sheet music. A copy of the original score is right at your fingertips, along with all of the symbols for dynamics, tempo and even side notes about how the piece should be approached. Check out online music storesfor a great selection of Romantic classical piano sheet music.

Romance in the Modern Day

As you can see, The Romantic era of music refers to a period and style of music, but it is much more. Romantic style music evokes both passion and emotion in those who take advantage of its beautiful melodies and rich harmonies.

The next time you sit at the piano to serenade that special person, pick up a piece of Romantic classical piano sheet music, such as "Moonlight Sonata," and bring the romantic mood to a whole new level. And, don't forget the roses!

The Ethereal Sounds Of Classical Music - Learn The Violin

The Violin has always been one of the most popular musical instruments to play and has seen a resurgence in the last few years with more and more people beginning to learn the classical style of music.

Since the renaissance the violin has been a main component of most classical music scores and this continues to be the case even today.

Belonging to the bowed stringed instrument family the violin is played by gently allowing the bow to fall down and across the strings on the main violin body under the weight of your arm. The bow string once made from horse hair is generally a synthetic substitute today.

'Pizzicato' is the term given to the playing of the strings with your fingers, but the more common usage for your non-bowing hand is to create the notes using the strings on the violin body.

Even if you've never been particularly musical in the past, there's nothing to stop you learning the violin at any age and there are more ways to learn now than ever, thanks to the internet.

Let's delve deeper into the various routes open to you.

One of the more traditional ways to learn violin would be at an educational institution such as a school or college, however this route is usually a full time student role and if you've already left school, then this option might seem a tough step especially if you have to work nine to five.

If you live in a reasonable size town or city, you might find night classes available where you can take up the violin. Costing less than a place on a full time learning course and taking less of your spare time, this option would be valuable as long as it exists in your area. You should also find there are less people in the class so more one on one tuition.

Hiring a personal teacher should get you playing faster than any other option, as the instruction will be solely focused on you and you'll be driven to succeed. The downside to this option is the cost and the risk of you not being compatible with your instructor, especially if they don't appreciate your learning needs. This route must be managed well from the word go.

Some classes to learn the violin are now taught online, but this just basically mimics what you'd learn in class. Instead of going along to a college, you'd log on and learn from the comfort of your own home. Make sure to find out how reputable these online colleges are before you enroll, unless the process is much less informal.

Online books and e-books offer the latest promise of future violin stardom. For a small monthly membership fee or one-off charge you can purchase an e-book written by violin experts that include tutorials, assignments and pre-recorded videos. A very valuable learning tool for people with busy lives, as you can pick up and put down the course when it suits you, although you will therefore need to manage your own motivation and time to keep on track with the learning.