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Honorary advisor
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this is more about popular music in general. i was listening to a song for the melody and it i realized (again) how repetitiveness it is. so the phenomenon is that if popular music is so simple (granted the syncopation) then why is it so popular? is it because they are simple, and easier to listen to than more sophisticated music?
and the other point of popular music being out of order. for example the elements of the music are put in order of
rhythm, harmony and melody
instead of the proper way of
melody, harmony and rhythm
so why do you think simple disordered music is so popular?
could it be stated that popular music is the folk music of our time? if so, what is the classical music of our time?
watcha think?
-g
Advanced member
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I would have to guess it's simpleness of the music. Anything sophisticated or complicated will not be tolerated by the majority of the young folks now a days due to peer pressure. Most are happy to bump and grind away on the dance floor to music so filthy and degrading to humans, that it's amazing it's so popular.
For some reason my son listens to screamo and states that any other type of music gives him a headache. It's actually quite funny to hear him say that. And for those of you who haven't heard screamo yet. DON'T. It's horrible. My dad listened to oldies and 60's/70's rock. I learned about classical from my grandma thankfully. So I listen to a wide range of music.
But when you think of it, most popular music is very simple and repetitive.
Pro advisor
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It's just not that complicated gStretch... You either like the song or you don't. Try to write a better song if you think you can. We all have different tastes and that's a good thing isn't it? Ever crank up a Deep Purple album? You just might like it.
There is no proper way in writing songs. Songs are written because of our feelings not about our math book.
I'm just saying my point of view gStretch...
Honorary advisor
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Amen, MGN give me some "Highway Star", never hear it on the radio! Great tune! First album I ever bought, Machine Head, Deep Purple.
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Actually your point is a good one and there is a good reason for this gStretch. Popular music is repetitive because it get's stuck in your head faster. Ever notice how the first time you hear a good tune you don't like it as much as when you hear it a few times?
Just like MGN said, people have different tastes. If you can get a normal person to listen to a complicated Mahler symphony that they have never heard before, chances are that they won't like it. If however you can get that person to listen to it 5-10 times in a week, chances they will like it. However it takes them over 5 hours to do that. Also they need the opportunity. If they learn that symphony they will most likely go on loving it their whole life.
Popular music can be just as good as a terrific symphony but not as complicated and therefor becomes popular quicker.
Can you explain to me what you mean about rhythm, harmony and melody being the order..... ? I didn't quite understand.
As for "Screamo", I don't know what that is but will find out.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Honorary advisor
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Fiddlerman said:
Popular music is repetitive because it get's stuck in your head faster.
Popular music can be just as good as a terrific symphony but not as complicated and therefor becomes popular quicker.
As for "Screamo", I don't know what that is but will find out.
Yea pop music is simplistic and repetitive, so its really catchy! Also, when you hear a song on the radio, after hearing it for a min, its easy to guess the rest of the song and hum or sing along. I know I've done that before while driving. It would definitely get popular quicker but also easier for people to get sick of it since its sooooo repetitive.
I think that you wouldnt want to hear screamo. I find that essentially its a 'singer' screaming words into the mic, usually very depressing or hateful messages. And if the singer is screaming one or two tones, the band usually goes nuts and it turns into pure .... noise 
Honorary advisor
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TerryG, yes its pretty bad how most people dance. and the music doesn't help, you can't REALLY dance to most popular music.
MGN, yes we have different tastes. and i'm not sayin i dont like some modern music, and yes i do like some oldie's rock. but some of the music can be bad for people. like TerryG stated the way people dance to the music is degrading to humans. i will further add that it is very immoral
Fiddlerman, about the rhythm harmony and melody. they are the 3 parts of music and corrospond to the 3 parts of humans. spirit mind and body. and pretty much all modern music puts rhythm (as in drums) before any other part. and in doing so they put the body above the spirit and mind. now there are times and places do put rhythm ahead, like marches or songs to energize people, but not for everyday listening all the time. one problem it causes is the degrading dancing. the songs for waltzes or swings put rhythm ahead but it doesn't make people dance around like animals.
Chinny, yeah screamo is a bit noisy 
Pro advisor
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To each their own gStretch. I'm glad I was born and raised with an open mind and making a comfortable living writing songs. What do you mean about people can't really dance to most popular music? Where are you from by the way? Sounds like you have been brought up in a very strict environment. I don't think there is anything wrong with anyone that wants to dance like an animal. Animals are beautiful .-) You really do have me a bit curious why you limit yourself about music.
Dave, the album Machine Head was my first album that I bought too.
Honorary advisor
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i mean what TerryG said about bumping and grinding. thats not dancing, its very distasteful. i am born and raised in east texas. and no, not strict. i had/have freedom to make my choices. the reasons i dont listen to some music is either because the lyrics and/or music affects me in an immoral way, or the artist is not a good example to people. dont get me wrong, i listen to alot of modern music. its not like i listen to classical all day 
-g
Pro advisor
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I hear ya,
I'm only asking questions and wondering cause I'm a song writer and I do respect everyone's opinions. You seem to have some strong opinions that I don't agree with but we can learn from each other, that's a good thing.
Honorary advisor
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myguitarnow said:
Dave, the album Machine Head was my first album that I bought too.
You realize that makes us vinyl brothers?
Honorary advisor
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what dont we agree on?
i'm easily affected by music, and i dont wanna be affected in a bad way by it since i like it so much.
-g
Pro advisor
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Just sounds like we have different morals on what is right or wrong. I don't understand your 3 parts to music? There is so much more to it. I don't think their is anything wrong with songs starting out with the drums.
And yes, my vinyl brother Dave 
Honorary advisor
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you're right, just cause a song starts out with drums doesn't make it bad.
and about the 3 parts of music, they are melody harmony and rhythm. humans have 3 parts also, spiritual, mental, and physical. music corrosponds to the 3 parts of humans in that order.
spiritual for melody
mental for harmony
and physical for rhythm
take gregorian chant for example. the first thing you notice is the melody. since most chant is monoliphic (spelling?) then there's isnt any harmony, unless someone is singing in a different octave. the rhythm is very subtle. so it can be said that main purpose of gregorian chant is to lift man's spirit.
now take the new nickelback song
http://www.youtube.com/v…..gIWp6YRsas
it starts out with drums. then has some guitar chords. and then he starts singing. the exact opposite order from chant. to me, this is a very energizing song. so this song can be said to give people energy. and with the lyrics it even gives a sense of community.
-g
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