Musical Terms – Country Music

“Country music is the people's music. It just speaks about real life and about truth and it tells things how they really are.” – Faith Hill

Country music is one of the most popular forms of music in the 20^th century.  Its origins can be traced back when the early European immigrants came to America and brought their traditional music from their homelands which first came as ballads and songs from the British territories. Their early life in the Southern Appalachian Mountains and the West was not easy and music was the only way to express their feelings.

 The banjo, which was then the slaves’ version of the fiddle, was the only lead instrument of the early American folk songs. It was first used and popularized in the rural communities by the African-Americans. The development of country music was widely influenced by the interaction of European, African and American cultures.  Later in the 1900’s, the steel guitar and drums came in as major accompanying instruments for this music.

The popularity of country music started to rise in the 1920’s and it was often exclusively used to refer to hillbilly music. Its entrance to America has remarkably flourished. In 1930’s, as radios came into the scene, it rapidly became a popular form of entertainment. WSM's Grand Ol' Opry, soon became a popular radio show in Nashville, Tennessee and gave rise to country singer stars. This place was eventually known as the birthplace of country music.

Country music’s stylistic origins primarily came from maritime folk music, gospel, blues, bluegrass, anglo- celtic music, Appalachian folk music and old-time music.

The development of other instruments such as the Bass Electric Bass, Electric Guitar, Piano, Drums and Electronic Keyboard made country music more interesting to both young and old country musicians. The changing instrumentation had dramatically drawn more country stars not only from Nashville but across the United States.

Today, this music is one of the best-selling genres next to rock and pop music. Country music has remarkably evolved and it is now often used to describe a range of styles, fusion genres and subgenres.

Let’s take a glimpse of how country music has evolved and how it paved a way for the prominence of today’s superstars.  As always, music dictionary will be with you along the way.

Early stars of country music

Country music’s rise to fame was started by Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family in the 1920’s. They were best known for the fusion of country, blues, jazz, cowboy, gospel and folk. His “Blue Yodel” composition became an instant hit that sold over a million records which catapulted him to stardom in early country music.

The Hillbilly boogie

The popularity of Hillbilly music was sparked by Johnny Bartfield’s recording of “Boogie Woogie” in 1939. The song quickly became a hit and soon was considered the first country boogie. The “Freight Train Boogie” was also a notable contribution to the combined journey of country music and blues to the direction of another subgenre, the rockabilly.

Bluegrass, Folk and Gospel

After World War II, Bluegrass, which actually came from the name ”Blue Grass Band” the band name of Bill Monroe  emerged, followed by Gospel and Folk music that later replaced Hillbilly. This fusion named “country and Western” eventually topped in the music charts in 1949.

The Nashville Sound

Country Music takes its toll in 1950-1960 when the Nashville Sound was born. The blending of big band jazz, swing pop styling together with storytelling refined country into a multi-million dollar industry replacing the honky-tonk style. The adoption of the smooth elements was pioneered by the Nashville A-Team. The Prominent musicians during this time were Jim Reeves and Eddy Arnold and Jim Ed Brown. 

Outlaw Country

Considered as a subgenre that revolutionized country music in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Outlaw Country was inspired by the traditional honky tonk sounds of the previous era. This style is often associated with, among others, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams Jr. Gary Stewart. A number of other sub-genres have emerged in the following years.

Alternative Country

One of the most popular sub-genres in the 90’s was alternative country. 1990’s is a significant decade in the history of country music where a diverse group of musicians and singers outside of the mainstream country music converged and incorporated the influences of punk and alternative styles. Ryan Adams, Lyle Lovett and Will Oldham were some of prominent alternative country superstars during this decade.

20^th Century Superstars

 A host of rock and pop stars boldly crossed-over with country and the beautiful infusion of their styles and music. Richard Marx with his “Days In Avalon” album, Bon Jovi and Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Hootie and the Blowfish and George Strait were among the popular artists who gained record-breaking success in this genre.

iMusic Dictionary is the most comprehensive online music dictionary. Learn more about the origin of country music, famous country artists and other country rhythms.

Musical Terms – Jazz Music

"Jazz is an open ended music designed for open minds." - Anonymous

Jazz is another style of music that hadn’t been clearly defined because of the various influences of different musical traditions since its evolution. However, its stylistic roots can be traced to the blend of early styles, the Blues, Folks and Ragtime –the earliest musical style that originated in the United States in 1800’s. Jazz’s cultural origin was generally recognized in the early 1910’s in New Orleans. Its early development was mainly attributed to the coming together of African folk music and European classical music traditions.

Jazz is among America’s notable cultural achievements that have spread throughout the world. This type of music turned out as a music legacy that has continued to unite people through the expression of passion, freedom, emotion and life experiences. This music is generally characterized by strong rhythms but, this genre could vary as musicians can have varying interpretations of the music. Today, jazz musicians use saxophone, piano, trumpet, bass and drums (to name few) to create a beautiful melody to this music.

Since its birth in the early 20^th century, jazz morphed into a variety of subgenres and styles. The music dictionary will walk you through from the time of its birth. Let’s take a closer look at how some genre was formed and their contribution to the jazz music that we now love today.

Dixieland (1920’s)

Dixieland, also known as New Orleans Jazz, Hot Jazz or Early Jazz was probably derived from the first original Dixieland Jazz Band – a New Orleans Group who spread the popularity of jazz music to Chicago, New York to California. The instrumentation ensemble used in Dixieland jazz-style includes trumpet, trombone, clarinet, and the saxophone, while banjo, string bass piano, drums are played for the rhythm section.

The Big Band (1930’s – 1940’s)

During this era of Great Depression, the big band ensemble brought relief to the American homes with their swing jazz music. The rise of the Big Band, which consisted of 10 players or more, made jazz music so popular that catapulted Ellington’s, Basie’s, Goodman’s, and Herman’s music as well as music legends Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra,  Joe Williams and Bing Crosby to superstardom in their time.

Bebop (1940’s – 1950’s)

Unlike the Big Band ensemble that consisted of 10 players or more, Bebop came as a completely different style. It featured four to six players that played jazz music characterized by a combination of melodies, structure and irregular length of phrases which made this music interesting to listeners. This style was eventually considered as among the modern subgenres of jazz in the 1960’s.

Free Jazz (1960’s)

Free jazz is a radical departure from the previous styles. This extreme approach to jazz music attempted to infuse new sounds from non-Western music traditions such as the music of Asia and what was considered the “Avante Garde” music. Free Jazz was described as experimental and challenging to many listeners. Change in pitch and tone quality characterized the innovation. Massive changes were attempted by this era’s musicians.

Jazz Fusion (1970’s)

Jazz Fusion, also called Jazz-rock characterizes the fusion of the energy and new rhythms of Rock music. Fusion musicians improvised jazz music by mixing funk and R&B along with the amplification and effects of electronic instruments such as synthesizer, electric guitar, electric bass electronically-processed woodwind and brass instruments and more of percussion, while the rhythm section used a series of syncopated repeated notes to produce beats.

Acid Jazz (1980’s)

Acid jazz is actually a term used to refer to a wide range of music. From the elements of jazz to funk and hip-hop, musicians focused more on instrumental music rather than the lyrics. It is not widely recognized as a subgenre of the mainstream jazz because it did not came from traditional origins, unlike other members of the genre.

Nu Jazz (1990’s)

It is sometimes called electronic jazz, neo jazz, jazztronica, electro jazz. Nu jazz is a term used to refer to the blending of jazz elements with a range of musical styles. Funk, electronic dance music, soul and the combination of free music are the main innovations in this grouping of music styles in the 90’s.

As Paul Whiteman, the king of Jazz once said “Jazz tickles your muscles, symphonies stretch your soul”.  It is indeed the music of every soul. For more information on the above terms, simply toggle to our music dictionary page.

iMusic Dictionary is the most comprehensive online music dictionary. Introduces extensive information about of jazz music, rhythms, bands and etc.

Musical Terms - The Numerous Types of Music

"Take a music bath once or twice every week for a few seasons, and you will find that it really is to the soul exactly what the water-bath is to the body." - Oliver Wendell Holmes

Music is a huge component of human life. Its profound effect more than soothes the mind. It is regarded as the expression of the heart. It accounts for magically connecting cultures and people. Music is usually categorized into variations which is often subcategorized into different genres. These categories can be so varied and they're usually based upon cultures. As an online music dictionary, we will help you appreciate the wonderful world of music, its unique terminology as well as its wide variety of styles. Learning about the different forms of music will help you understand their origins, their specific effects and also their uses and more importantly, fully grasp this beautiful art. If you're music inclined or if you're one who plays musical instruments, becoming acquainted with them will  better allow you to develop a beautiful melody. Listed below are some of the types of music that are commonly played then and now:

Classical
Classical music is defined as an art form of music that's rooted from the earliest period. It can be traced from the medieval origins around 11th century up to the current time. It actually is perhaps the oldest as well as the first style of music. It could be identified as soft and very relaxing. It really is mostly played on instrumentssimilar to the violin, the piano, clarinet and cello. Cecilia Bartoli, Andrea Bocelli as well as the Three Tenors are some of the famous classical music singers of all time.

Country
Country music is popular due to its mix of traditional and popular American musical forms from the Atlantic Canada and Southern America. It often discusses true to life experiences. Its cultural origins in early 20th century have rapidly evolved making it one of the favorite music of the present generation. Country music is employed to describe an array of styles, subgenres and fusion genres. Guitar, Bass Electric Bass, Electric Guitar, Piano, Drums, Electronic Keyboard and Fiddle are among the typical musical instruments utilized in playing this type of music. Garth Brooks, Dixie Chicks, LeAnn Rimes, Faith Hill, Reba McEntire and Brooks & Dunn are among today's country stars who brought tremendous popularity to country music.

Jazz The cultural origins of jazz can be traced back to the early 1910's in New Orleans. Jazz was created from African and European music traditions. It all began the union of music from the 19th and twentieth century which is now well-known as American popular music. Jazz, in conjunction with blues, are among America's remarkable cultural accomplishments that gained worldwide influence. Jazz is divided into subgenres and fusion genres. Jazz music is known for its strong rhythms but, this genre could vary as musicians are apt to have varying interpretations of the music. Jazz musicians use saxophone, piano, trumpet, bass and drums to make a beautiful melody to this music. Contemporary jazz musicians include John Coltraine, Wynton Marsalis, Dizzy Gillespie and New York Voices.

Pop
Pop music is the common shorter term for "popular music." This form of music is often referred to as the commercially recorded music that's tailored for the younger market. Pop music is the perfect party music that you can really move and dance. This form of music has recently become many variations along with the involvement of musical technologies. Pop music's roots can be traced back to the 1950's era in the United States and the United Kingdom. Popular music, as the name suggests, had gained  continuous worldwide popularity since its emergence. It's got expanded right into a range of subgenres and fusion genres. Today's most influential celebrities include Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears, to mention a few.

Rap
Rap music was thought of as one of several derivatives of Jamaican music. But being a music genre, its roots can be traced in the early African-American singers and storytellers where they would deliver stories with rhythms using drums and occasional instrumentation. It further developed all through the center of the 29th century when music within the Caribbean was influenced by an African tradition where deejays "rapped out" stories of gallantry using Jamaican beats. Rap music is now closely related to Hip-hop music. Oftentimes, it may be hard to understand the lyrics of this cool music, nevertheless the beat can really start up your mood to dance. Typically the most popular rappers of our time are Will Smith, Master P, Puff Daddy, Beastie Boys and Mase.

Rock
Rock music was born in the rock "n" roll era in 1950's. Its influence began in the United States of America and also in Great Britain. This kind of music is amongst the genres of popular music that still gained remarkable popularity despite numerous innovations inside music technology. Rock music has its distinctive sound. From the time that it was first heard, it began to dominate the realm of music. This difficult music is usually characterized by how musicians play this music.  It is typically harder than any other type. It  is actually played with drums, bass guitars, electric guitars, keyboards and synthesizers. Rock music is actually split up into subgenres and fusion genres.

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