Is Pop Music Evolving, or Is It Just Getting Louder? (2012)

Re:Is Pop Music Evolving, or Is It Just Getting Louder? (2012) by analog31 on Wednesday August 22, 2018 @12:06AM (#17816212)

In my view, pop music goes way beyond the conventional idea of a "song" (melody plus lyrics). Rhythm is vital, especially if you consider the development of American music over the past 140 years or so. Relatively simplistic tunes were turned into instrumental hits by iconic recordings. "Hooks" and "drops" are important elements of pop hits.

Being somewhat of an old timer, I continue to be amazed by how the very idea of what constitutes a pop hit changes over time. As a kid, I could never have anticipated hip hop.

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Re:Is Pop Music Evolving, or Is It Just Getting Louder? (2012) by TheOtherHobbes on Wednesday August 22, 2018 @10:18AM (#17818828)

Rhythm and feel are massively underappreciated, especially in traditional music theory.

The difference between a perfect groove and crap rhythm programming is literally ms, and the difference between talent and mediocrity is often down to being able to feel those tiny timing offsets.

It's also a central feature of classical performances. Timing variations are controlled with extreme precision, and can make or break an interpretation.

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Re:Is Pop Music Evolving, or Is It Just Getting Louder? (2012) by analog31 on Wednesday August 22, 2018 @12:05PM (#17819689)

Indeed, "music theory" is largely melodic and harmonic theory, and the study of the study of larger structures such as the sonata form. Rhythm is left up to the personal taste of the composer and performer.

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