26 !!Chapter 3
tion of musical genres that will enhance their advertising campaigns. Story
lines might reflect a specific historic period. If a composer has musical
knowledge of the period, his or her musical suggestions might help guide
the creatives in new directions. Knowing various styles makes it easier for
a composer to emulate a musical style.
Listening to the radio, purchasing music in various styles, listening to
film and television scores, attending concerts, and analyzing scores helps
composers familiarize themselves with various music genres. Commercial
composers must be aware of musical trends and styles. Listen to the sonic
qualities of the drums, basses, guitars, unusual synthesizer sounds, and
other instruments. Sounds, especially in contemporary popular musical
styles, become trends, as do unique musical patterns. For example, in
dance music (club music) the 909 drum machine, in combination with new
samples and drum modules, has produced popular drum sounds for
many years. In addition to sounds, musical patterns can define a style.
Producers must be aware of the market since popular sounds and patterns
change quickly.
A pulsating repetitive synthesizer line, usually with a sixteenth-note
delay (repeated notes), is an example of a rhythmic trend that defines a
genre. One example isTrance,astyleofdancemusic.ManyTrance
arrangements have one vocal phrase, which is usually a memorable phrase
that is intermittently repeated throughout the song.
In some dance music, the bass drum (kick) sound is long and deep,
usually played with an 808 drum machine bass drum that contains a long
delay mixed with a more defining 909 kick sound. The bass is normally
coupled with a sub-bass and consists of muted-sounding indefinable notes
that are not ‘‘heard’’ but felt. The sound creates a low rhythmic thumping
groove that fits with the more definitive kick drums. The sub-bass sound
is used because dance clubs have sub-bass speakers. The sub-bass creates
a pounding low end that adds to the excitement of the music.
There are also trends in the sound of mixes (final recordings). Bass and
drums may be emphasized, or a guitar(s) is the most prominent instru-
ment. The use of unusual effects, such as reverbs and special effects, also
define trends. For this reason, music is categorized in historical periods.
For instance, the ‘‘sound of the fifties,’’ the classical period, swing, and
other musical eras all have identifying musical elements.
Audio effects can contribute to a commercially successful record as
exemplified by Cher’s hit ‘‘Believe,’’ in which an unusual effect is used on
her lead vocal. It almost sounds as if she is yodeling. The same effect was
used on many recordings after the worldwide success of Cher’s record.
(This effect was created with the Antares Auto Tune computer plug-in.)
Phil Spector, a highly successful producer in the 1960s, developed a
musical environment referred to as the ‘‘Wall of Sound.’’ Excessive rever-
beration (or echo) and a definitive ‘‘soundscape,’’ combined with unique
arrangement techniques, became the signature of Spector’s productions.