Line #57 Main/GenreMotif


1	Popular music has always been a mainstay in 20th century fiction. The practice of licensing music for use in films, TV shows, and other forms of fiction that incorporate sound has been as ubiquitous. Most of the time, this is done to accent the fiction in question. While it is sometimes done simply for commercial reasons, it's very rare to hear music in fiction that has no ties whatsoever to the theme of the piece. Most of the time, the particular song used was chosen specifically based on the content of its lyrics or style and its applicability to the work of fiction.
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3	However, over time, certain trends of using music have come up for genres of music. A Genre Motif is when a particular song is used not so much for its lyrical content, but instead for its genre. Unlike the other motifs (which are particular instrumental elements that may or may not be part of a larger piece), this refers to when the genre of the song itself (as opposed to the content) is used to invoke something. The content of the song's lyrics is irrelevant to the fact that the song just simply IS that genre and we're expected to feel a certain way about a character or setting because of it. Often, this is part of an element in order to show someone as a member of a subculture.
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5	For the purpose of this page, the basic description of the genre (and its influences) will be listed on its entry for this page, while its uses in fiction will be in the examples article itself. As a general rule for examples, it should only be listed if the genre of the song (as opposed to the lyrics or the associated band) is meant to develop a character or setting. Please add new genres and fusion subgenres in the discussion section so it can be determined where to put them.
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8	'''Rock''' - The biggest modern popular genre of them all, a large number of genres can trace their root back to it. Drawing heavily from Blues music, this genre first came about in the mid-1950s. Rock is hard to define on an objective basis and because of that, it often just gets applied to any music with a lead guitar and strong drumbeat (or otherwise just sounds like it) that doesn't have a specific genre in mind. Rock is the origin of both Punk and Metal (amongst many genres that haven't been as commercially successful as those two).
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10	See GenreMotif/{{Rock}} for examples of the use of rock, hard rock, pop rock, classic rock, rockabilly, and other such subgenres.
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12	'''Punk''' - Punk music originated as a response to what was considered to be a stagnation of rock music in the early part of TheSeventies. With a [[ThreeChordsAndTheTruth focus on simple, stripped-down songs]] with hard-driving electric guitar and a strong drumbeat. It also became known for its angry, irreverent lyrics and controversy-stoking lyrical themes, often of a rebellious (sometimes [[AnarchyIsChaos anarchist]]) nature. It's hard to define what, exactly, defines Punk music (and due to the [[BrokenBase many factions]] of its subculture, so expect plenty of debate).
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14	See GenreMotif/{{Punk}} for examples of punk, pop punk, hardcore punk, emotional hardcore (emo), and other such subgenres. Punk and its subgenres garnered the attention of {{Moral Guardian}}s due to its lyrical imagery and the bands' DelinquentHair and stage outfits.
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16	'''Metal''' - Heavy metal had a fairly gradual evolution from Blues and psychedelic rock before it became its own definable genre in the early 1970s. Music/BlackSabbath is usually credited with being the first popular band to fit squarely in the Heavy Metal genre, but other bands such as Music/LedZeppelin, Music/DeepPurple, and Music/BlueOysterCult have often been cited as originators. The term "heavy metal" itself comes from Music/{{Steppenwolf}} (although their music is not quite what people consider to actually be "heavy metal"). Heavy metal's trademarks are a highly distorted guitar sound with power chords, heavy drumming and bass, lead guitar solos and focus on themes of "power" and "darkness" (to be really broad).
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18	See GenreMotif/{{Metal}} for examples of heavy metal, glam metal, speed metal, death metal, doom metal, and other such subgenres. Metal also garnered the attention of {{Moral Guardian}}s due to its lyrical imagery and stage outfits
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20	'''Folk''' - Often confused with country (although there are some overlaps), this is basically the genre of traditional acoustic music using acoustic guitar, harmonica, fiddle (among other instruments) and singing. It is performed without simple musical structures and accessible, singable melodies. Folk genres have existed since the beginning of music and defining something as this genre can be difficult. Generally but not exclusively acoustic; "singer-songwriters" are often considered folk. Like other styles, it can be blended to form genres such as folk rock and folk pop.
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22	See GenreMotif/{{Folk}} for examples.
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24	'''Country''' - A genre dominated throughout most of its history by [[ThreeChordsAndTheTruth simple, three or four chord songs played on an acoustic guitar]], country grew from its traditional rural roots to become one of the top-selling commercial genres in the American music industry. The music itself is mostly a blend of Blues and traditional folk styles, with an emphasis on lyrical storytelling, genuine, heartfelt vocals and a catchy melody. It's often accompanied by several other instruments, including slide guitar, [[UsefulNotes/DoubleBass upright bass]], and piano, plus solos on fiddle and electric guitar. Fiddle and banjo are traditional instruments but many modern artists choose to eschew these for the slicker sounds of electric instruments. Country music has experienced multiple backlashes due to a perceived watering down of the music by pop. The expanding industry is based mostly in Nashville, TN. The dichotomy continues today, with many country and country rock groups choosing to distance themselves from the radio-centric pop sounds of industry-supported artists.
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26	See GenreMotif/{{Country}} for examples of country, bluegrass, western, and other such subgenres.
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28	'''Electronic Dance''' - Stylistically started by Disco, the modern form of this genre is sometimes colloquially referred to as "techno" (which is, itself, a subgenre). Electronic dance is relatively simple music, based on presenting an easy-to-dance-to rhythm and an insistent beat. It is usually created by producers with synthesizers and samples. It's rare for there to be a whole band with instrumental performers and it's almost never played completely live with a band. Most of the time, it will just be prerecorded and "live" performances just involve a DJ with a large selection of samples that they might mix and match.
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30	See GenreMotif/ElectronicDance for examples of techno, industrial, synthpop, house, disco, and other such subgenres.
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32	'''Rhythm & Blues''' - a precursor of modern pop, rock, and hip-hop. Generally includes a melody in a minor [[{{Tonality}} key]] that is singable and follows a repeated rhythmic pattern; often includes electric bass and drums. May include a horn section (trumpets, saxes and a trombone) that does "shots" and call and response lines. Other instruments include electric guitar, harmonica, piano, Hammond organ, African-American singers (or an imitation of their vocal styles), and moderately long instrumental solo sections. YMMV. Like rock, R&B has infused many other genres.
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34	See GenreMotif/RAndB for examples of R&B, reggae, soul, funk, and other such subgenres.
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36	'''Hip Hop''' - Urban music born in the late '70s in the US, heavy on the beat, with the lyrics half-spoken in a rapping style. The rapped rhymes usually playing the main role. Often performed with a DJ providing a bavking track and scratching rhythms with turntables. Hip-Hop motif is a simple shorthand for an African-American ghetto. Expect to see graffiti and youth playing basketball.
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38	See GenreMotif/HipHop for examples of rap, gangsta rap, southern rap, and other such subgenres.
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40	'''Classical''' - ClassicalMusic music is a type of art music for the elite, both in RealLife and in media. Often funded (these days, anyway) by the government or rich people. In the past, it was funded by the church and BlueBlood nobles. Common traits include complex melodies and harmonies, a wide range of timbres and dynamics from a large number of instruments, and a greater degree of development and elaboration on musical ideas than some listeners have the patience for. This is the genre most likely to use woodwinds and harps. If there is singing, the voices will likely have a tone of purity that is unlikely in any other genre. Most classical music (pre-20th century) is accessible to most audiences, given the chance - many pop artists have borrowed bits [[Music/LudwigVanBeethoven Beethoven]] and Chopin and turned them into easily digestible riffs for their own songs. Contemporary classical music is sometimes atonal and bleak, making it harder to swallow. It often abandons the tonal system, and will most likely be found in art films and horror movies.
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42	See GenreMotif/{{Classical}} for examples of pre-20th century style chamber, symphony orchestral, opera, and other similar subgenres. For the sake of simplicity, please only list uses of pre-existing classical music as opposed to newly created, completely original scores for fiction.
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44	'''Jazz''' - If you don't know what it is, we can't tell you. It's an African-American genre like R&B, but with less predictable rhythm, more solo improvisation, more complex harmonies and more saxophone and trumpet solos. Ranges from the swinging melodies of Duke Ellington to the edgy Bebop of Thelonius Monk to the crowd-pleasing smooth jazz tunes of Kenny G.
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46	See GenreMotif/{{Jazz}} for examples of jazz, swing, jazz fusion, and other such subgenres.
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48	'''Pop''' - The two objectives of pop music are to be attractive to the LowestCommonDenominator of the most desired listening demographic--which usually means teenagers and young adults--and to be inoffensive enough that even those who hate the song are reluctant to switch off the radio or unplug the jukebox. To accomplish this, pop focuses on clear, memorable vocal melodies over simple chord changes, and catchy, often cliched lyrics. Real art does sneak in, but it's not usually a deliberate objective. Pop is generally upbeat and lively, with lots of SillyLoveSongs; often highly melodic. If there are vocals, the instrumentation will often be discreet, with little or no solos. This is the music many boy bands and girl groups sing.
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50	See GenreMotif/{{Pop}} for examples of non-fusion pop.
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52	'''Easy Listening''' - Like Pop or Rock, but for an older demographic, and quieter and gentler. It is meant to be enjoyable without being distracting. Easy Listening, done right, can play in the background at a normal volume and still be unnoticed. It is more prone to introspection and minor keys than pop, but it is still a major haven for SillyLoveSongs. This is the sort of music some varieties of rocker make when they get over thirty or forty. Like pop, the focus is on catchy vocal melodies. Tends to be more heavily produced than pop, with some songs including orchestra accompaniment.
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54	See GenreMotif/EasyListening for examples of easy listening, soft pop, smooth jazz, new age, and other similar subgenres.
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56	'''Showtunes''' - Show tunes are songs from musicals. Generally they are derived from both classical and blues roots (''Theatre/TheThreepennyOpera'' was one of the first operas to use this type of music, as opposed to classical, and created a stir comparable to ''Theatre/{{Hair}}'' in TheSeventies), although rock-influenced musicals are more common nowadays. Showtunes are something of a CyclicTrope -- they go to the more traditional music, and then someone shakes it up with contemporary music. Then, pop scores are in vogue for a while, until nostalgic songwriters long for the denser, more story-oriented music of conventional musical theatre.
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58	See GenreMotif/{{Showtunes}} for examples of theatrical style show tunes.
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60	'''Ambient''' - A genre most commonly used in movies. It is meant to add to the atmosphere but not be dominant or distracting. Often done with synthesizers.
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63	Wiki Categorization bit.
64	[[index]]
65	* GenreMotif/{{Rock}}
66	* GenreMotif/{{Punk}}
67	* GenreMotif/{{Metal}}
68	* GenreMotif/{{Folk}}
69	* GenreMotif/{{Country}}
70	* GenreMotif/ElectronicDance
71	* GenreMotif/RAndB
72	* GenreMotif/HipHop
73	* GenreMotif/{{Classical}}
74	** GenreMotif/{{Cantata}}
75	* GenreMotif/{{Jazz}}
76	* GenreMotif/{{Pop}}
77	* GenreMotif/EasyListening
78	* GenreMotif/{{Showtunes}}
79	[[/index]]

Context Main / GenreMotif