Country Music

Arms akimbo and let your feet flow with the beats. You can do the polka or waltz; the beats are on the same rhythm. Country music though founded in the rural areas of the whites in America is now in every music lover’s home around the world.
It gained importance with singers like Jimmie Rodgers and The Cater Family and recently by youngsters who have added their own style that make it acceptable by people of different lifestyles.
The music is said to have descended by the native tribes of the Southern Appalachian Mountains that moved into South America. There were the Mexican, Spanish, groups from central Europe and the British Isles, as these communities mixed with one another, their customs and traditions were strongly mixed. The traits that were founded between them then lived and became their customs. The Appalachian bands of the 20th century mostly played with the fiddle, banjo and guitar.
The other instruments include the dulcimer of German origin, the mandolin from Italy, the African banjo and the guitar of Spanish fame. Included in them were the accordian that was invented in Italy. The music from this instrument was so loud that it could fill the dance hall without any microphones. Dance halls were built by the Germans and Czechs so that the entire community could meet after a hard day’s farming work.
As the communities spread to the northern parts with the industrial revolution the music followed them and so more and more people were made aware of the unique Texas style music.
In the 1930s and the 40’s the church music and the blues influenced the music. The lyrics were those of heartbreak, poverty, homesickness that made the common man relate to it and want to hear it again and again. The Nashville style of singing also enjoyed a huge popularity base. Other musicians employed a colourful orchestra as the background music.
New singers tried to bring in a dash of their character that led to sub-genres of country music, which includes a different style of execution in chord structure and rhythms. To name some would be Nashville sound, fast mandolin, blue grass, fiddle based and the banjo centric.
Jimme Rodgers is known as the Father of Country Music as he had entered the hearts of young and old alike. The common man or the rich man, everyone was moved by his music. He sang about people he met in the bars, farmers, hard work, success and the regular way of life that could relate to one and all. Every year in May Jimmie Rodgers Memorial Festival is held since 1953 to revere the king of country music.
The Carter Family, Roy Acuff, Hank Williams, Vernon Dalhart, Hohhny Cash, Wilf Carter, Jean Sherpard were a few who earned their name in country music. Patsy Montana was the first lady who set her vocals on country music and she was a hit by selling 1 million copies. Till date country music is much in demand as it was decades ago.

Instrumental Music

Music that consists of no vocals is known as instrumental music. There are mainly 2 kinds of instrumental music, hip-hop and rock and roll. But you could cut off the words from any song and play the music, it is nothing but instrumental then.
Sometimes just music sounds soothing and relaxes the soul; you could hear it all day tirelessly and fall off to sleep. Infact instrumental music is the perfect way to put yourself to sleep. Even babies can be put to sleep with instrumental music instead of lullabies.
The music that is crafted is either of the DJ or the producer. The DJ breaks up the percussion from the funk and disco as the beats are what gets you to shake your leg. He would play 2 copies of a song and mix it on a turntable. Bringing beats of the song simultaneously keeping the rhythm and energy intact.
As the people began to applaud the music style, more and more got in to the profession of DJing. Sometimes the DJ would speak over the music, introducing himself and a little about the song. Slowly this transformed to rapping and the MC would rap away at the breaks of the music.
This in the modern world is known as rapping what the entire western world has taken up to it. The music beats here keep you going on and on and on, till the break of dawn.
Another style of instrumental music is rock and roll where many instruments or just a few that is a minimum of two instruments are used to create music. For instance Kennyh G is well known for playing the saxophone. He has had such a good hand at it and taste for music that he is renowned world over.
Other artists include Joe Satriani, The Venturers, Dick Dale, Steve Vai and Booker T.  who have earned themselves a reputation. Vanessa Mae is known for her violin skills. She plays till your heat melts. Other individuals include bands that have done successfully in instrumental music like Metallica, The Allman Brothers and Rush.
So around the globe be it the westerns or the Far East, be it individuals or groups instrumental music has created a niche for itself, with a market that is fairly balanced. Some music aficionados prefer a certain type of music by a certain type of instrument only.
Hence even in instrumental music there are inroads of instruments that solely play the main role. Some of them include piano, saxophone, guitar, sitar and the flute. These instruments played individually sound soothing and do not require another instrument for accompaniment. They can hold you by the ears as long as you want them to.
In India the tabla too has made a name for itself, professionals bend it to the best of any rhythm, infact there are some instrumental shows where the notes of one instrument is responded with another. So be it the tabla verses the sitar or the tabla verses the guitar, the symphony of music that flows can blow you off your feet.

Ethiopian Music

Ethiopia’s ethnic diversity has closely been associated with some unique and often indigenous sounds. Ethiopia is a long established and accepted musical country. Ethiopian music has been open to all kinds of music influences, even from the West. The people listen and accept traditional folk music to the latest popular styles. Brass bands also became largely popular during the reign of Haile Selassie. From the 1950’s till the 70’s, Ethiopian music incorporated some of the biggest names in the music industry namely Alemu Aga, Kassa Tessema, Bezunesh Bekele, Mulatu Astatke, Mahmoud Ahmed, Alemayehu Eshete, Hirut Bekele, Kiros Alemayehu, Tilahun Gessesse and Mary Armede. Leading and well known Ethiopian record labels included Amha Records, Kaifa Records, and Philips-Ethiopia.
However things changed for this famine ridden country by the coming of communist dictator Mengitsu between 1974 and 1991who reduced the people and their culture. Music that was recorded during this time frame gained prominence only after 1991 with the fall of Mengitsu’s regime. Following Mengitsu’s communist restructuring one of them involved the banning of all vinyl recordings of music.
Well known musician Alemayehu Eshete, in support of African freedom fighters composed songs to show his solidarity and support to their cause, which was later on followed by other musical artists such as Dawit Melese, Chachi Tadesse and Zeleke Gessesse. Unfortunately Ethiopia’s entry into the international music scene hasn’t been large. Gigi a prominent Ethiopian singer received international acclaim and soon brought Ethiopian music to popular attention. Bolel a sort of blues-like music has largely been popularized by Tigist Assefa, Tedje and Admassou Abate.
International acclaim came in the form of Reggae and Rastafarianism. Most reggae artists are linked to this sect and the name Rastafarianism comes from Haile Selassie's pre-coronation title and family name. Ziggy Marley’s – Conscious party, spoke about the influence Ethiopia had on reggae. His son the best known reggae artist ever is none other than Bob Marley.
Ethiopian music is culturally rich and diverse and goes back cultures. Ethiopians used a style called qenet which was further broken into four types namely - tezeta, bati, ambassel, and anchihoy. This music comes either in monophonic, polyphonic and heterophonic as well. Musical instruments also fall under various categories.
Chordophones include a one-string bowed lute; the krar, a six-string lyre; and the begena, a large ten-string lyre. Aerophones include a washint; trumpet-like instruments include like malakat, holdudwa, Embilta and fanta, or pan flutes. Idiophones include the senasel which is a sistrum, maqwamiya, dawal and Metal leg rattles. Membranophones include a kebero, nagarit and a Gurage.
Some forms of traditional music were also strongly inclined by Arabic and folk music from different parts of Africa. Christian and other religious associations also played a large role in shaping Ethiopia’s musical heritage. Hence when you hear Ethiopian music you hear hints of music from different lands which is a delight to the ear. Northeastern Ethiopia gave rise to a form of music known as manzuma whereas in the Ethiopian highlands the azmaris gave rise to traditional secular music.

Greek Music

Greek music is a legacy by itself. Like the Greek culture that had reached its peak even its music has enjoyed the heights of popularity in and around the area.
It begins from the ancient world when theatre was the heart of the country. But only dialogues were not entertaining and hence music was invented. Changes in the style of music occurred as different empires came to reign in the country.
In the beginning it was only men that could sing and perform in theatres. Later women too were allowed to sing and mixed gender choruses reverberated in music halls. The instruments then used were the double reed aulos, the lyre and the special one of its kind called the kithara.
Not only was the Greek culture influential it was also the music that was influenced, thus their notational system in music was wide spread in Greece. Not only Rome but even the western world is known to have used the musical modes created by the Greeks.
Music was such an important aspect in Greece that children were taught music form the age of six. No doubt by the time they grew up they knew much more about music; how to compose, create etc.
They even owned music cafes in Istanbul and Izmir where they were bands that were led by female vocalists. The music was played on a typical sandouri and the violin. Well known musicians were Agapios Tomboulis, Marika Papagika, Rita Abatzi and Rosa Eskenazi.
During the reign of the Byzantine Empire, the Byzantine music grew that encompassed liturgical songs. It was inspired by the monophonic vocals that had been brought in by the Christians in cities like Alexandrina, Ephesus and Antioch.
Ancient Greek music basically comprised of Akritic and Kleptic music. Akrtic music was born of the border guards during the Byzantine Empire. With the end of this empire the Kleptic music rose by the Kleftes who were warriors against the Ottoman Empire.
Modern music was quickly swallowed by the Greeks with Eptanissan music that became the saga of the modern world in Greece. Due to the rule of the Ottoman that ruled Greece for over 4 centuries, they had already missed the Renaissance. On the other hand the Ionian islands that were ruled by Italians were flourishing against the stark contrast of poverty that lived in the Ottoman dictated areas.
As relationships with neighbouring countries like Turkey and the Middle East bettered, music was blended in different languages. There were duets sung by Greeks and Turks and they were a hit from day one. Singers like Sarbel have songs translated from Arabic to Greek. Songs are now easily translated from Greek to Arabic, from Arabic to Greek and Turkish. As the music is very similar in these regions due to the ancient influences, the slight variations, different languages bring in are always welcome by the public, giving it a huge fan following.
Greek music is documented from time immemorial, leafing through them one can see the sea change that has come in from the ancient world to the modern harmony. Yet there remain traces of the early music with modes, melodies and indigenous instruments that give you a feel of the ancient and the modern world.

Thai Music

Thailand’s links to the music world are closely connected with that of India and China. Although never colonized by Western imperial powers, Thailand still owes a large of its musical influences to European and American music. Thai’s musical lineage followed a more oral tradition where its distinctive music is said to be a mere 700 years old.  This is because only during the Ayuthaya period did Thai music gain prominence. However with the fall of the dynasty and the burning of its art collections and historical literature by Rama I, the history of Thai music suffered a huge blow.
To get back to the fundamentals of Thai music right; it is made of seven equal notes, with its tempo being firm and balanced. Melody in the song is horizontal by structure followed by slower and faster tempos. Tones and semi tones are also incorporated in their music similar to the Western style on musical notes. Importance and prominence is also given to a pulse or group of pulses in the conclusion of a musical beat. However Thailand’s musical notations and compositions are also extremely complicated and difficult to learn. Musical instruments would include the flute, piano, percussion instruments, stings and gongs.
Classical Thai musical instruments largely constituted various percussion instruments like the piphat, such as woodwind while the khruang sai is made up of string instruments. Classical instruments such as phin, sang, pichanai, krachap pi, chakhe were well known and after making contact with the West, the drums, violin and piano were promoted as well. Thai’s musical instruments have been drawn from India and other countries while molding and adapting it into their own unique styles. Music was also contributed through short stories which later on became songs and are still used in many play adaptations today.
Thai country music, better known as Pleng luk thung, spoke about the lifestyles of rural Thailand. Some if its big stars include Ponsri Woranut, Suraphol Sombatcharoen and Pumpuang Duangjan. More Lam or folk music is another distinct genre which involves rhythmic vocals and an up-tempo feel to it. However interpretation of a mor lam vary as there exists about fifteen regional interpretations already.  In the 1930’s Western musical influence slowly started gaining prominence with a wide variety ad kinds of musical fields like jazz, tango and even classical Western music. Western rock growing slowly in the 60’s saw the emergence of a new kind of pop genre known as string. Gaining popularity with the masses, it led to the emergence of bubble gum artists as well like Tata Young and Asanee & Wasan. Thai pop also saw the emergence of Christina Aguilar, often mistaken for the well known US songstress Christina Aguilera, and who is considered to be one of the top Thai pop/rock artists in Thai’s musical lineage.
The very well known Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra covered under the royal patronage, has had a big influence in nurturing the talents of Thai artists and also endeavoring to achieve national and international recognition. They aim for quality and perfection and promote arts and culture as well. The Thai royal family has also added to the rich heritage of Thai music by patronizing it within their families itself. Well known jazz player his Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, has many accolades to his credit including original compositions as well, one of which went on to be featured on Broadway.

Iranian music

From ancient times till date, Iranians have continued to place emphasis on poetry and other forms of music. Monophonic in nature, it usually consists of a soloist or a duet with an accompaniment. Iranian classical music has a whole set of melodies known as the Radif, seven larger connotations known as the Dastagh and five smaller sub-sets known as avaz or maqam. The term "Khonyâ-ye Bâstâni Irâni" is better known today as Iranian Classical Music. However performances are more often improvisations to other various melodic theoretical precedents. These melodies are known as gushe-s which is grouped together in a form. Performance is based on the idea of a suite or a collection of classical poetry, certain instruments and various musical compositions.
With poetry available from ancient times till the present day, one has a large choice to choose from. However sometimes based on the performance the gushe-s may have a slower rhythm or an improvised one. These have been passed down from one generation to another, from ancient Persia to present day Iran. The vocalist also has to set the tempo and the mood for the Dastagh. After the Sassanid era, where Iranian music was made to grow and develop, with the advent of Islam many modes and melodies disappeared due to the biases which Islam had against music.
Iranian classical music consists of various modes which have to be by-hearted and memorized thoroughly. More spiritual than recreational, this was largely because of the growing Sufi influence along with holy lyrics from religious texts. Some of the Sufi poets who wrote were Hafez and Jalal-e Din Rumi.
Instruments used in general included the setar which were widely used by Sufi mystics. The santur similar to the Indian santur, the ney, the kamancheh and the violin and oud were popular. These instruments are much brighter and louder while the vocalists have a deep rich voice. Popular vocalists alive today are Mohammad Reza Shajarian, Shahram Nazeri, Shajarian, Afsaneh Rasaei, Hamed Nikpay, Ali Jahandar and Mahsa, while some bands would include Hamavayan Ensemble, Aref ensemble, Masters of Persian Music, Shakila's group: winner of Persian Academy Awards International, Chakavak Ensemble, Bijan Vakili and Mehrbanou Goudarzi group, Radif ensemble and many more.
Many Iranians today also play to an international audience such as Lily Afshar, a world class classical performer, Loris Tjeknavorian, principal conductor to the Rudaki Opera House Orchestra, Zubin Mehta though he is of Iranian decent he is a world-famous classical conductor of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.
Iran has also been introduced the latest genres like pop, rock, alternative, etc. The Iranian Revolution was a dark time for Iranian pop music with many artists leaving and moving to the United States of America. These would include Vigen Derderian, Dariush Eghbali, Siavash Ghomeyshi, Hayedeh, Homeirah. Iranian rock is performed underground and has various Western influences like the Doors, Dire Straights and others. Iranians new generation have also been exposed to hip hop, rap and electronic music. Iranian folk music is another genre which has merged with Western music and connotations to come out with different sounds and styles. Folk instruments largely different from classical ones, have a uniqueness which can be seen in the diversity of the different ethnic groups which exist in Iran.

Arabic Music

Arabic music has suddenly mesmerised people all over the world. It has ascended to a level of compatibility with people of other ethnics and religion. The industry has also been able to capture the western market with the music and lyrics like never before.
Well one can also see the imprints on the Indian music industry as today Arabic music is introduced in the verse and sometimes even in the chorus.
How has this industry gotten big all of a sudden, to know more read on.
Arabic music in the early centuries was greatly influenced by Egyptians, Sumerians and Assyrians. Most of the instruments used today are the modern versions of what it was in the decades gone by.
The main characteristics of Arabic music are florid ornamentation, modal homophony and modal rhythm. There were only eight modes in the beginning but were increased to 12 modes in the 11th century.  They were called maqamat by the 13th century.
Ornamentation in Arabic music is the use of shakes and trills, appoggiaturas and grace notes. The vocal music that was used, had a lot of words and verses were repeated after a small melody which was ornamented elaborately.
The main form of music in the Arab worlds as we know is the ‘namba’ – this included verses that were introduced by ornamented music and flowed accordingly. This form is known to have originated in the Abbasid court. The instruments used to create the music were the short-necked lute known as the ud, there is also the long necked lute known as the tambur.
This style is still used today in most of the Arabic countries and if one listens to the music of various regions, one will realise that that similarities are very common. Infact the music seems to be the extremely similar. This is because of similar musical instruments being used.
Ud, is one of the most important instrument in Arab music. It actually means a branch of wood as it is made of it and has only four strings. 2 strings more were added to it by the fifteenth century. It looks like a sliced pear and is played with a plectrum that is usually made from the feather of an eagle. Due to its enchanting mellow sound it is known as the king of instruments in the Arab world.
The tablah comes in line as the next most important instrument. It is a small drum that is played by the hand. Different sounds emanate when it is tapped at different locations, you could even get a loud or soft sound depending on the strength of the strike and the part of the hand that touches it.
Another important instrument is the qanum – it is the harp used in ancient Egypt. Around 81 strings are attached with space after every 3 strings. This instrument unlike the other is placed on the ground and the strings are plucked from it creating sounds that no instrument can emulate.
The daff or the English word tambourine is another necessity to the Arabic music. Be it slow or fast songs, its jingle adds a dash of essence. This percussion instrument is so easy to learn and use, that singers normally held it in their hand to add some zing to every beat.