Different Styles of music.

[Docdb04]

I'm looking for a way to learn different styles of music on the piano.  Not just by ear, but some theory knowledge.  Knowledge that explains what makes a style of a song that style.  For example, if a song has a latin type flavor, what is it that makes that song have that flavor.  Hope I explain this correctly.  Does anybody have any information on this topic?  Please Help.

Be Blessed

[T-Block]

Style comes from how you play a chord.  Chords themselves are just chords, but the way you play them determines what "category" to place them in.  There is no such thing as a Latin chord, or a Gospel chord, or any other chord.

[playhear]

I'm looking for a way to learn different styles of music on the piano.  Not just by ear, but some theory knowledge.  Knowledge that explains what makes a style of a song that style.  For example, if a song has a latin type flavor, what is it that makes that song have that flavor.  Hope I explain this correctly.  Does anybody have any information on this topic?  Please Help.

Be Blessed

I agree with T-Block.

I will add that I have searched for the answer to that question myself. I have come to conclusion that the “flavor” is something you pick up by listening and being a part of the particular genre, e.g., gospel, latin, jazz, blues, swing, etc. If you hang around this site enough, listen to clips and try to emulate players, you will eventually pick up the gospel sound. Likewise, hanging around latin playing musicians for example, you will eventually pick up the latin sound. In short, the “flavor” is a feeling that is difficult, or impossible, to express with theory.

Having said that, the individual notes that musicians play with a gospel flavor for example, could theoretically be written out. However, doing so would be quite complicated. Are you an exceptional reader? Even if you could read a note for note composition of a gospel musician’s interpretation of Amazing Grace for example, whatever you played would not quite have the soul with which the gospel musician played originally.

To get the flavor you’re seeking you must immerse yourself in the particular style you’re trying to pickup. Purchase an MP3 player, and listen to that style constantly. Try to emulate various riffs and progressions of the genre of interest. Through total immersion, the flavor will become yours.

[playhear]

I'm looking for a way to learn different styles of music on the piano.  Not just by ear, but some theory knowledge.  Knowledge that explains what makes a style of a song that style.  For example, if a song has a latin type flavor, what is it that makes that song have that flavor.  Hope I explain this correctly.  Does anybody have any information on this topic?  Please Help.

Be Blessed

I agree with T-Block.

I will add that I have searched for the answer to that question myself. I have come to conclusion that the “flavor” is something you pick up by listening and being a part of the particular genre, e.g., gospel, latin, jazz, blues, swing, etc. If you hang around this site enough, listen to clips and try to emulate players, you will eventually pick up the gospel sound. Likewise, hanging around latin playing musicians for example, you will eventually pick up the latin sound. In short, the “flavor” is a feeling that is difficult, or impossible, to express with theory.

Having said that, the individual notes that musicians play with a gospel flavor for example, could theoretically be written out. However, doing so would be quite complicated. Are you an exceptional reader? Even if you could read a note for note composition of a gospel musician’s interpretation of Amazing Grace for example, whatever you played would not quite have the soul with which the gospel musician played originally.

To get the flavor you’re seeking you must immerse yourself in the particular style you’re trying to pickup. Purchase an MP3 player, and listen to that style constantly. Try to emulate various riffs and progressions of the genre of interest. Through total immersion, the flavor will become yours.

[Docdb04]

Indeed your right, but I want to know why certain chords are categorize that particular style.  Certain styles may have unique timing or different ways of playing your notes.  Example:  I was watching Bishop Eddie Long on Sunday night and his MOM, Kevin Bond plays the strings behind his preaching.  When Eddie Long was talking the people with Ph.D, his strings had a sound of classical educated music that you would hear in the Dean's office.  When Eddie Long was joking about something, his strings had a certain type of amusement with it, that made you think of the court jesture.  When Eddie Long got fired up in the sermon his strings had a sense of Biblical feel.  Like the strings you would hear in the movie the Ten Commandments.  All three types styles of strings he played were different.  I want to know what makes them different and if there are any theory books, tapes, dvds, etc.  that I can get to learn them.

Be Blessed.

[Docdb04]

The last statement was typed, but I forget to hit the submit button, so it may seem a little late.  Forgive my lateness.

[fredbart26753]

Hi Docdb04

There actually are lots of tangible thinge that make a style of music what it is. I will not even pretend to know all about this but I do know a little.

 Latin or Salsa styles actually use a lot of complex chords like C9+5 for example. Latin also has some very strictly defined rhythems. One rhythm makes it a Bossa Nova. another rhythm makes it a Tango. Etc.
Latin also doesn't use a feeling of 4 notes in a beat like eighth notes or sixteenths. Instead. Latin melodies and fills have a triplet feel (3 notes to a beat). Lots of Latin Improv plays melodies with harmony in 6ths.

There is much overlap in styles. Melodies with harmonies in 6ths are also widely used in Honky Tonk styles, So are tremolos (which are also used in latin).          Play (notes , not chords ->) F F# D, F F# D  over and over quickly (a very honky tonk sound). Do this over a D major chord.

Regae is deffined by it's rhythm. It shifts from accents on the beat to accents off the beat.

Country style uses more simple chords (not many C9+5 chords) not even many major 7ths or minor 7ths, It uses mostly I ii IV V and vi triads with some V7s (dominant sevenths)

Jazz almost never uses simple triads. It is all 7th chords resolving to other 7th chords (7th means 7th or 9th or 11th etc.) The often resolve in a circle of 4ths progression.

Blues and Gospel etyle use a lot of Blues scales and a lot of slides from b3 to 3,  or b5 to 5. Also the laft hand will be walking from and A chord up to a D chord but the right hand has beat it there and is playing D chord locks during the walk up. When the left hand getd ti D...the right hand has already gonr to the next chord G. (called anticipation)

Rock style is defined by the "back-beat rhythm" which means accent beat 2 and 4 ( one TWO three FOUR).

Classical is a big subject but for example it never uses a back-beat rhythm, if it is in 4/4 time the accents are ( ONE two Three four) Strong accent on ONE and weaker accent on Three (very square). When Beethoven started using 7th chords in classical music it offended peoples ears. Classical also never used a blues scale (till 20th century America),,it is mostly straight major scales and minor scales.

There is a whole world of little devices which serve to define a style and lots of the fun of music is discovering them. These are just some I have noticed while playing different styles. I'm sure there are thousands more.

Keep your eyes on Jesus,
Frank

[Docdb04]

Thank You, Fredbart 26753

Now is there any book out there that can teach you the knowledge that you have just givin me, but more in depth or did you just learn by playing in different areas around different musicians?

[fredbart26753]

I just picked most of it up by observation. I do remember seeing a book years ago with all the Latin dance rhythms spelled out in it but I don't remember what the book was. Im sure the info is out there. Have you tried a web search on musical styles or latin rhythms? my guess is that there are tons of info available.

God Bless
Frank

[Docdb04]

Thanks, if I come across one then I will let you know.