Listening to music and developing an appreciation for different genres can be a wonderful way to relax at the end of a tiring day. Music can be a powerful healing agent, soothing frayed nerves and releasing the tension in your body. While some people listen and appreciate music from all genres, some others prefer listening to either jazz, classical or country music. Still others appreciate opera or musicals. Individual tastes vary widely from person to person.

Jazz originated in the beginning of the 20th century. Characterised by flexibility, syncopation and forceful and regular rhythms, jazz became popular in the US in the 1920s. Often called as America's own music, plenty of elements inspire this music form. Musicians performing jazz may play a pre-determined tune but are free to improvise and create their own interpretations of the music. One has the freedom to add spontaneous elements in jazz to create music that is old yet fresh.

Blues is another music genre that originated in the African American communities of the United States around the end of the 19th century. Closely connected with jazz, blues originated as a more melancholic form. As more Afro-Americans migrated to the cities, blues found wider audience base and urban blues gave rise to rhythm and blues and rock and roll.

Some people enjoy listening to classical music and prefer the soothing pleasant strains that such music has to offer. Western classical music is a broad genre that encompasses music from the 11th century till the present day. Western classical has its roots in Ancient Egypt and Greece. Hardly any music from the ancient era has survived and the little that did is mostly from Ancient Greece. Medieval and Renaissance music developed after the fall of Rome followed by the common practice period where many of the elements that form western classical music took shape. The Classical Era that lasted from 1750 to 1820 saw unprecedented development in composition, presentation and style. The Romantic Era of such music was then followed by 20th century classical music that includes modern, post modern and contemporary classical music. The 8 octaves of Western classical music are Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do.

On the other hand, in Indian classical music, the octave (8 tones/notes) is broken down into 12 semitones. The 8 notes are Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni Sa. Indian classical music can be Hindustani or Carnatic. The 8 basic notes of Carnatic music are Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni Sa. It is monophonic in nature and employs ragas for melody and talas for rhythm.

Musicals are plays or films which essentially use music sequences and dance to portray its story. It has its roots in light opera. Opera is a western classical dramatic art where singers and instrumentalists perform together to produce a theatrical work in one or more acts. It involves components of acting, outfits, staged scenery as well as dance.

Hobbylancer and You

At Hobbylancer, share your love for music, connect with other music lovers and develop an appreciation for different genres. Discover new genres, exchange interests, organise workshops to increase awareness of dwindling genres or organise shows in your locality. Let music soothe your soul and elevate you to higher levels of joy only at Hobbylancer.