Western music such as classical and pop is a popular form of entertainment in Europe and the United States. It is a unique blend of different forms of music and is quite interesting to learn. It encompasses an extensive range of things that might require years to master.
Basics of Learning Western Music
Let’s look at the basics of learning western music and become skilled at it:
Learn Different Forms of Western Music
This music is written in the form of brackets and braces. Also, it uses clefs that are specific symbols to determine the pitch of the music. There are notes and rests that determine the musical sounds and the duration for which they will be played.
There are a variety of western music forms such as symphony, opera, choral works, chamber music, Gregorian chant, and the Mass.
Besides this, there are several components of western music such as sound, texture, melody, harmony, expression, structure or form, and pentatonic scales. It has its nuances of rhythm, different levels of harmony, and proper intervals between the notes.
One can even opt for learning western singing by acquiring the art of voice modulation and coordinating with the different pitches.
Apart from this, western music is celebratory and eulogizes the lifestyle of the cowboys on the mountain ranges, the life in the Rocky Mountains, and the Prairies of North America.
Know About the Historical Background
The advent of technology has greatly affected western music. It has changed the syntax of the forms of music that were prevalent in the Renaissance and Classical times.
Ancient western music consisted of a lyre, harp, and the cornu horn. These were used by the Greeks and the Romans who took pride in their musical heritage. While there were specific tribes that followed their music, during religious festivities people would gather and play different musical notes and instruments. The birth of Christianity and the fall of Rome altered the development of western music.
During the medieval era, the church leaders recognized the importance of music and the impact it had on the masses. Thus, it was used for religious purposes such as meditation and prayer. This period also introduced the polyphony which meant playing two or more melodies at the same time.
Enroll in Courses or Online Live Classes
One has to start young in order to gain expertise in this form of music. A keen learner might enroll oneself in a few music courses to get a sneak peek into this field and learn the basics to create a composition. Besides this, one could get an idea of Mozart’s style of writing and become adept at music.
While pursuing music, one might attend online music courses to improvise on his/her rhythm and tone. These sessions are taught by well-experienced teachers who know the ABC of music. One could learn western music through online piano, guitar or violin lessons to start his/her musical journey. It is easy to enroll in institutes that offer western music as a subject and get accredited degrees. It takes up to two years to learn the fundamentals of western music.
To sum it up, learning western music is an interesting pursuit that might require a thorough understanding of the basics. It is important to know about its history. A keen learner might enroll in well-reputed institutions and gain a degree. One could also sign up for online music classes that teach different forms of western music such as symphony and opera.
