MUS 500 (Applied Music 5)

Genres of Music 2
Lesson 1 (Session 1): 

Soul Ballad

INTRODUCTION TO BALLAD MUSIC:

Welcome to our Study of Music Genres. 

Here are excerpts from our "theoretical" lesson notes, however, we would be explaining things as practically as possible! 

Today's Music Genre Study, would see us introducing the genre known as Ballads. For practical purposes, please know that the genre has evolved since its original usage: as a word it is French in origin, derived from the same word that produced "ballet": the dance, now this should tell you, that for a musical genre, there'd be something about the dance that interprets itself musically in the music-component. We mention this so that, as much as possible, for practical purposes, if we don't have any ideas soever of a ballad, our ideas about "ballet" (if any) could help leave an impression! However this isn't half the fact, so, don't say, we told you that "ballet (in dance) = ballad (in Music)".

Furthermore, since the time of the medieval French songs [(ballares) from where both ballad and ballet are derived] to the earliest recognizable example of a ballad form in England known as "Judas" found in a 13th century manuscript, to present time, the genre has evolved, and may now be found in a variety of musical styles from country-western to Rock and Roll, to pop, to soul, so that we have pop ballads, soul ballads, etc for instance.

Also various artistes in pop, rock and roll, etc eras have been known to perform a few balladic fusions for instance:

I will always love you (Whitney Houston) 

Everytime (Britney Spears, 2003) 

Total eclipse of the heart (Bonnie Tyler, 1983)

The ballad of John and Yoko (The Beatles, 1988) 

Hurt (Christina Aguilera, 2006).

This session is just the introductory notes session. Remember, our study of genres of music is for practical purposes to help our Lyricology and Composition Students to understand the intrinsic character of the various genres of music, so that should they decide to for instance compose a ballad they'll know what the parameters of judgement should be. Again, as we progress, we shall explore CRITICALLY each genre of study. 

Assignment:

1. Listen and study the examples of ballads listed above. What is the common denominator(s) among them? 

2. Study the material mentioned in this introduction titled "Judas". It may be found under Child ballad 23. Submit a critique of the ballad Judas.

 To submit join:
 Soul Ballad Whatsapp Group

3. Study 5 (musical) pieces used in ballet (dances).