Music refers to sounds being coordinated and collected to form tones and compositions.
Sounds in the music can be placed together to establish an atmosphere that is specific, or have the creator expressing their thoughts and emotions.
The history of music
It was found that simple musical instruments (E.g. Flutes) were created more than 35,000 years ago.
Voices from humans are suggested to be the first musical instrument used by prehistoric humans, to mimic the sounds of their environment for religion and recreation.
A documented research mentioned that the creation of music might be dated back to the Neanderthal period.
As human progress throughout the years, the communicating and writing system is created and improved. Music can be created easily with words and alphabets.
Brief timeline of the history of music
● The first documented written piece of music is found in Syria, dating back to 3,400 years ago. It is displayed in cuneiform “alphabet”.
● Researchers found drawings on the walls, vases, and items that displayed how music was created in the Ancient Greece. The musical instruments that were discovered are string instruments (Lyres), the aulos (Flutes) and an instrument looking similar to the bagpipes in the modern day.
● Polyphony was speculated to exist during the Ancient Greece from certain writings.
● Researchers found information about Indian classical music and music in Ancient Asia from the Vedas, the sacred Hindu books.
● An Increasing number of music is composed in the Ancient Middle East, Persian Empire and Egypt.
● The development of specific musical forms for religion were founded by the Hebrews.
● In the middle age, mediaeval music and polyphony became popular with the use of the new notation system. Most of the music created back then was sacred, with some singing about cavalry and love stories. Some of the most used musical instruments are flutes, lutes, and dulcimers.
● In the Renaissance period, the foundation of the Baroque music was created. Baroque artists such as Bach and Vivaldi use chromatism and the development of counterpoint. Richer ensembles are usually seen during the creation of music, which then move to full orchestras. Sonata and the Fugue were invented during those times.
● In the XVIII to the early XX century, composers such as Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn and Schubert added different forms, ideas and instruments into their composition. The mixture of theatre and music then developed from the classical era, as the symphonies became trendy.
● Different elements, currents and subgenres started getting more popular during the XVIII to the early XX century. (E.g. Romantic music)
● Jazz and blues became popular when newer approaches to music were used by the Afro-American communities. It becomes the predominant foundation to the contemporary genres. Jazz music was then improvised and became popular until the Sixties.
● Rock’n’roll was discovered in the Fifties from a revolution, which originated from blues form. It becomes popular and changes the various aspects of culture and society. Rock’n’roll then provides a solid foundation for the expansion of other musical genres and subgenres, especially for pop music.
● With the invention of newer technologies and computers, composers and artists are able to create music with different approaches. Instruments are no longer a must to compose tunes, software and electronic devices can be used to create music.
● In the present time, music and songs still use the foundation of classical rock and pop music from the Fifties.
What are the common genres of music?
There are various genres in music that are commonly seen. Many genres in music are a combination of two or more styles. This includes the combination of various elements in a music.
In the present, different genres are being created from the use of various combinations of styles and elements.
Ten of the most common genres of music are:
Pop music
In the present times, pop music is inclusive of other elements and styles, such as EDM, trap, house, etc. The songs are often played and ranked at the top of popular music lists in the streaming services and radio stations.
Rock music
Rock music usually has high-gain electric guitar tones, along with bass guitar, drum kits and strong vocals.
Hip-hop and Rap music
Today, hip-hop music is used with digital equipment (laptop and microphone) by the producers. It is typically used by rappers as a backing track while they rap over the music.
Techno music
Techno music is similar to House music. However, there is a distinctive difference. Electronic sounds are typically featured strongly in Techno music compared to House music.
Country music
Stories about the reality of life and people’s perspective are used to create country music. Country music is still popular in the present time, typically combined with other styles and elements.
Jazz music
Jazz music comes from the combination of musical elements of European and African music genres. It features swung rhythms, a broad range of musical instruments and melodies.
Electronic Dance Music (EDM)
EDM is a huge category of music, with features of classical elements to drum beats, synthesisers, and loops. There are various sub-genres in EDM, such examples are House, Techno, Trance, Dubstep, etc.
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal music typically includes loud volumes, cymbals crashing, rhythms that are pounding, and drop tunings used in guitars that are distorted. Effects and various techniques for playing are being incorporated in the live metal songs today.
Classical music
Classical music is one of the oldest musical genres in the world. Composers create emotive symphonies with the use of musical instruments and pre-established tones, which form melodies and chord progressions.
Disco music
Disco music is typically heard in nightclubs. It features four-on-the-floor backbeat, basslines that are syncopated, funky guitar riffs and vocals that are reverb.
Music that is suitable for children must contain lyrics that are child-friendly and have tones that are fun to follow.
Classical music
Jazz music
Cultural music (Known as world music)
Pop music
What are the benefits of playing music to children?
Listening to music can be enjoyable and beneficial to children. Music is able to:
Develop the child’s literacy in language and their communication skills,
Improve the physical aspect of the child (E.g. Coordination skills, motor skills, etc),
Develop cognitive aspects and social emotional skills of the child,
Make the child feel secure and maintain order,
Stimulate and improve early brain development.
What are the ways that parents can introduce music to their children?
During classes, children are typically exposed to music.
Outside of lessons and class time, parents may:
Encourage children to listen to noises around their environment (E.g. Birds chirping, the sound of the ocean waves, etc),
Play musical games with their child,
Ask their child to mimic sounds from their environment (E.g. Ringing tones of the phone),
Play other types of musical genres to their child,
Include music of different genres in the child’s daily lives and activities,
Introduce different types of musical instruments for the child to try,
Teach cultural music from all around the world to their child.
I hope the information available helps you to understand more about music that is suitable for children. As this article may serve as an aid to help you introduce the different genres of music into their lives.
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