Pop Music:
Pop music (or popular music) is a very mainstream genre. Pop music has been popular all around the world ever since it was first brought to the music world.
The term "Pop music" originated in Britain in around the 1950s.
Pop music has around 16 sub-genres which include;
"bubblegum pop", "dance-pop" and
"teen pop". Pop music is a genre made up of many other genres such as
"rock and roll", "dance" "R'n'B" etc. However,
"rock and roll" music influenced pop music the most and pop music can been seen as a softer alternative to rock music.
Musicologists often identify the following characteristics as typical of the pop music genre:
- Appealing to a wider audience, rather than a specific type of people; for example appealing to black and whites, men and women, young and old.
- An emphasis on craftsmanship rather than formal "artistic" qualities; for example getting a formula which works and using it over and over again to keep producing hit songs.
- An emphasis on recording, production, and technology; for example having numerous amout of 'takes' until they deem the song as 'perfect',
- Tendency to reflect existing trends; for example taking influence from music that is popular with the public and using it to help create their 'sound'.
- Pop music is usualy used to encourage dancing; for example if it encourages dancing it can be played in night clubs and other places making it more popular.
Pop songs are usually around 3 minutes long (with some exceptions) and has a traditional simple structure which consists of 'verse chorus' form. The melodies are important and their is often a main focus on making a 'catchy hook'. This makes is easier for people to remember the song and be able to sing it. The songs usualy consist of themes such as love and relationships. Although, this isn't always the case. Sometimes pop artists use their songs as a way of singing about peace, helping the world and war/hate etc.
Musicians such as
The Beatles, Michael Jackson (possibly being the most influential) and
Bob Dylan have helped shape, change and influence pop music as it is seen today. Also, the record lable
Motown have helped change the way we see pop music. Many of what these artists used and invented while they were performing have influenced current popstars. Their methods are being used time and time again to ensure number one singles and hit records.
Artists that have helped shape pop music;
- Motown records (The Jackson 5 pictured). The Jackson 5 were the last successful band to come from Motown and have helped influence many artists with their songs such as 'I want you back' 'ABC' 'Dancing Machine'. They were very much the 'bubblegum pop' genre. And they continued to be successful once they left Motown and became The Jacksons, producing influential songs such as 'Blame it on the boogie' 'Can you feel it' and many more.
- The Beatles are one of the most influential groups ever to have formed. They have had countless number of hits and their music continues to inspire bands today. They are a mixture of Rock and Roll and Pop genre.
- Michael Jackson, possibly the most influential artist to have ever lived. From being in the musical world for the whole of his life, he has been able to change the way pop music has formed and has inspired men, women, blacks, whites, the young and the old. His techniques are still being used today by current artists and he continues to inspire many musicians. His music is a mixture of many genres.
- Elvis Presley, again an inspiration to pop music. Again, he is a mixture of many genres including rock and roll.
Typical instruments:
Typical instruments used in pop music are;
- Vocals
- Electric/Bass Guitars
- Drums
- Keyboards
- Piano
- Accustic guitar
- Synthesizers
- Drum machines
- And many others.
Picture above shows;
Madonna using a microphone. A microphone is the most important instrument an artist uses because their main purpose is to sing and a microphone helps project their voice.
Prince is shown with a electric guitar. An electric guitar is another popular instrument that many artists use, especially if they are mixed genre; for example rock and pop.
The Pet Shop Boys use instruments such as synthesiszers. This helps them create a futuristic pop sound. Lastly
The Carpenters use instruments such as the drums. Drums are another important instument, it helps keep the beat and also having drums means it's easier for people to dance to the songs. In photoshoots/magazine covers pop artists are usually pictured holding these instruments as these are the typical instuments they use in their music.
Colours:
Pop artists can wear a range of different colours, however, they usually use/wear bright, attractive colours. This is because, although pop artists try to appeal to every type of people, they mostly appeal to a younger audience. The colours are attractive and friendly. Also, the colours help reflect the type of songs that they sing. For example, if they are singing about love and relationships, the colours are bright and happy- reds, yellows etc. Or if they are singing about heart break, the colours are more darker- blues, blacks, purples. White is also a common colour with pop artists, especially the younger artists, as this symbolises purity and innocence and that is the image they are projecting to the public.
Britney Spears in the picture above is from the music video
"Oops I did it again". She is wearing red as the song is typically a love song and red can symbolise love. Also, it can symbolise seductiveness and with the lyric
"I'm not that innocent." therefore, in this case the red symbolises love and seductiveness.
Beyonce is wearing all white from the performance
"Halo". The white symbolises innocence and purity.
Halo has been sung about
Michael Jackson and also for the Haiti earthquake victims, therefore white reflects the innocence of the subject/s that this song is about.
Katy Perry is pictured wearing yellows, green and pink. These are typical colours for a pop artist to wear. This is because it helps appeal to their audience and they are colours their audience is familiar with; bright and colourful.
Michael Jackson in the picture is from the music video "
She's out of my life". The song is a very sad song, and although it is about love, it isn't a happy love song, as the title suggests, it's about someone who has left their life and therefore it is a song about heartbreak. He is wearing blue to reflect the mood of the song and his feelings. Blue is a symbol of sadness and upset therefore, this is why he has chosen to wear blue in the video.
Costume:
Pop artists don't have a 'typical' costume. Depending on who they are influenced by, if they are a mixed genre and so forth, depends on what costume they'll wear. Also, pop artists try to make themselves different and unique to other artists of the same genre, so they'll wear 'outrageous' clothing or sometimes, very little clothing. This helps for them to try to appeal to their audience, and also appeal to other audiences who may not typically listen to their music, but may be intrigued by the way they dress. If they are posing for a cover of a magazine, they tend to 'dress down' a bit, not wearing such outrageous cloths or wearing outfits that will fits in with the style of magazine they're featuring in. Also, most pop artists tend to start out when they are fairly young, so when they grow up their costumes can change dramatically so they don't look like a 'child star' anymore and more grown up, helping them appeal to pre-teens, teens and an older generation. However, most of their costumes have similarites. This is because they usually go to the same designer to get their clothes made; for example, stars such as
Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and
Beyonce have all been styled by
Jean Charles de Castelbajac. So, although they get them styled to look 'different' they do have similarities.
The image shows outfits worn both by
Katy Perry and
Lady Gaga, which have been designed by
Jean Charles de Castelbajac. Although, they were both going for the 'different' and 'unique' look, they both are wearing an outfit with
The Muppets on their dresses. Also, both of their costumes are large and bold with colour, another typical trait for an pop artist.
Also, designers and pop artists take inspiration from other artists. For example,
Balmain designed clothing for
Rihanna and
Beyonce which take inspiration from
Michael Jackson's military styled jacket.
Balmain did a
Michael Jackson inspired clothing line, which many celebrities have worn.
Michael wore some designes by
Balmain back in 2009 and after his death
Balmain decided to draw inspiration from previous clothes he has worn.
Rihanna is seen wearing a military demin jacket, similar to what
Michael wore in 1996. And
Beyonce is seen wearing a military jacket, very similar to what
Michael wore during
This Is It rehearsals.
Props:
Pop musicians usually have the same props whether they're on stage or in a photoshoot or on a cover of a magazine. Their pops are usually their instruments or something they add to their costume. For example, a microphone or guitar could be their prop. Although, not all artists have props. Again, taking
Michael Jackson as an example, his fedora, glasses, glove, socks and finger tape can be seen as his 'props'. Something he adds to his costumes or he wears when on tour or just around on the streets.
To make my product seem authentic, I need to take in to concideration all these main points and add them to my magazine and to the artists featured in the magazine. I will need to decide whether I will include instruments, and decide what will be appropriate to make it look believable. I will have to look at the colours the artist will wear, depending what they are promoting. If it is a new single about love, then the colours will be colours like reds and pink. If it is about heartbreak and upset, they will be darker colours. And if it is promoting an album in general, the colours will be bright and neutral like yellows, and soft pinks etc. Costumes and props are also something to think about.
