American Music of the New Millennium

Music creates invigorating environments and atmospheres in nightclubs, homes, churches, picnics, cars and everywhere else on this planet. Music industry attracts creative, imaginative minds who has the capability of developing ideas that fascinates everyone. Many years ago, music consisted of one category, classical. From classical, Jazz, Blues, Ragtime, Rock and Roll, Pop, Hip-Hop were invented. The music bringing in the most money are the music that stays up with the current trends. This type of music has a bigger audience. Today, we have several music types that can be divided into popular classifications.

Updated audio technology enhances sounds of notes played, chord progressions and vocal techniques more distinctively. Music appealing to popular cultures consistently changes with current trends. Today’s popular music categories appealing to young generations, staying with current trends can be classified as Hip-Hop or Rap, Pop, or progressive Rhythm and Blues. Popular artists such as Kayne West, Hurricane Chris and 50 cent play music classified as Hip-Hop or Rap. Jazz, Rock and Roll, mixed with international African Drumming and Latino cultures shaped the personality of Hip-Hop.

Hip-Hops tonality is formed by constant heavily accented beats and strong notes. The constant backbeat defining Rock and Roll carried over to Hip-Hop. Hip-Hop arranges the instruments to put stronger emphases on the backbeat, creating an atmosphere of invigoration and energy. Teen music audiences are vibrant and energetic. “We could say that music perception is measured and studied as though it is the ability to perceive features of music” (Dorrel, 2006). Heavy accents on instrumentation intrigue young music audiences. Energetic rhythms, provided by percussion are youth oriented, and are easily perceived by young people.

Hip-Hop in the future may become faster, have many more rhythms playing simultaneously, and become more integrated with other nations. The number of notes written into Hip-Hop’s musical scores will increase. There is a new dance trend popularized by Hip-Hop (and Madonna) called Krumping. Hip-Hop music steadily influences development of new dance styles, both in the studios and in the nightclubs. Other artists of another division of the pop music classification are Fergie, Rihanna and Gwen Stefani. Pop music sometimes follows the same time signatures as Hip-Hop.

The duration of the accents, frequency’s and pitches are comparable to Hip-Hops style. Identical Hip-Hop sheet music may be used for pop. The emphases on the instruments defines the difference. Pop artists singing voices are more accented, above the percussion. The audible focus emphasize different instruments. Electronic instruments (Keyboard, Organ) are emphasized while percussions provide the steady ongoing pulse. As time progresses, all popular music note’s and rhythms speed and frequency increase. For current music trends to stay on top of the music field, they must constantly create new themes, new overall tonality’s.

One of the changes inevitably coming along is the ways music is brought to us. Music will be available through radios, devices requiring service contracts without downloadable device and concert shows. Artists will start touring more or only agreeing to make albums requiring a service contract. There will be more competition to create stunning shows. The artists will have to “make it (concert) memorable. Give them ups and downs, highs and lows, mix the comfortable with the unexpected” (Elmy, 2003). In the new millennium, pop bands may be putting shows together with rap bands.

The final classification of music is Rhythm and Blues. Some Rhythm and Blues singers are Beyonce, Janet Jackson and Ciara. The melody and electronic instruments are emphasized in R&B. Musical theatre, Jazz and Big Band influenced R&B. Dancing, and types of dancing defined and characterized Musical Theatre, Jazz, Big Band. In today’s R&B videos, artists uses distinctive dance styles. In Rihanna’s video, Umbrella (also R&B), you can see the Fosse technique in her solo dancing, specifically from All That Jazz. Future Rhythm and Blues will continue return to its roots from Big Band and Jazz, which was played in musical theatres.

Popular music, is music appealing to the average ages from children to late twenties. Children are never to young to become a fan of popular music produced by the music industry. Some two year olds love Hurricane Chris and KISS. The artists appealing to younger generations may be any age. Record label’s executives are conducting professional music business to appeal to younger people. The music trends constantly change, continuously inventing ways to hold audiences with short attention ps. If music shows are designed to hold the attention of ADD five years old, it will certainly hold adult audiences.

When applying for an executive position, the straightlaced interview rules no longer apply. “It’s no accident labels are hiring producers. These guys have the sense to stay on top of market changes and deliver sales. You’ve definitely gotta hire someone who’s going to bring a little more content to what people are doing nowadays, because if you don’t, you’re going to get pushed out of the race” (Marshall, 2007). Future of music will bring more breakthrough techniques including improvement of vocal quality, musical arrangements of songs, and recording technology. Artists are now refusing to make albums.

Madonna recently left her lifetime record label, Warner Brothers because Live Nation promotes concert tours. These live performances will likely eliminate any music sales to individuals. Legitimate businesses are going to be the primary purchasers of hard copies of music. Today, only dance studios with 2000 students purchase the required licenses to play and use copyrighted music. The smaller dance studios do not abide with these laws. Artists advantage to producing music is currently getting eliminated. The reality shows, American Idol, Dancing With the Stars can be very misleading.

Why is Paula Abdul no longer singing and making albums, since she is a bridge to music contracts? Younger people may lack money to purchase all favorite tunes. However, the cost of getting music to them costs a small fortune. The popular music can currently be divided into three classifications. The most creative people combined Rhythm and Blues coming from classic musical theatre, jazz and blues originating in 1920’s and marketed current popular cultures. Notes; Elmy, T. (2003, May). Playing Live: How To Structure A Kick-Ass Set. Canadian Musician, 25(3), 60. Retrieved November 17, 2007,

from Academic Search Complete database. http://search. ebscohost. com/login. aspx? direct=true&db=a9h&AN=10303241&site=ehost-live Phillip Dorrel, (2006 October 15) Music Perception: What Is It That We Perceive When We Perceive Music? Retrieved November 17, 2007 http://www. 1729. com/blog/MusicPerception. html Marshall, S. (2007, February 26). MUSIC LABELS’ NEW LEADERS. Crain’s New York Business, 23(9), 1-8. Retrieved November 17, 2007, from Regional Business News database. http://search. ebscohost. com/login. aspx? direct=true&db=bwh&AN=24351670&site=ehost-live