What is light music?

Light music

"Light music" is a variety in the category of music. To put it figuratively, it is a light weapon in music, roughly the same as essays, jokes, lyric poems, etc. in literature. It is lightweight, popular, compact, easy to understand and easy to accept. It is in sharp contrast to large-scale art forms such as symphony, concerto, cantata, and orchestral music. Among the people, light music is very popular and has extensive social significance and spiritual effects. However, among the works in the form of light music, there are also many works that are low-level and pornographic. Therefore, in terms of the political content of light music, some are good and some are bad, some are progressive and some are backward.

There are many types of light music, including general life songs, lyrical songs, witty songs, and satirical songs, as well as some operettas, waltzes, small orchestral overtures, serenades, and some orchestral sketches and movies. Songs, dance music, etc.

The style and characteristics of light music are more lively and interesting than other forms of music, especially its tunes are particularly beautiful. Some symphonies, orchestral music, cantata and other works often need the help of technical means such as harmony, orchestration, polyphony and so on. In addition to this, light music also relies more importantly on the beauty of the melody. Therefore, light music has stricter requirements for beautiful and light tunes than other music forms. A lyrical song should be graceful and euphemistic; a waltz must have a distinct rhythm and melodious tone; a witty song should give people a joyful and joyful infection; and a satirical song should be spicy and sharp. The unique performance characteristics of these light music also form its own style.

Entering the warm and romantic poetic country - Talking about light music (1)

The "third force" in music

The so-called light music (LIGHT MUSIC ) is relative to classical music, which is adapted and interpreted using popular popular techniques and performed by a small band to create a warm, romantic, relaxed and beautiful atmosphere. It is a popular music with a casual nature. As we all know, classical music has a heavy texture, huge structure and scale, dignified musical thoughts, and profound ideological connotations. The most important feature is solemnity and dignity. Light music, on the contrary, has a light texture, small and simple structure, bright and stretching rhythm, and beautiful melody. It has no profound ideological connotation, nor does it want to have such connotation. It just wants to bring people relaxed and beautiful enjoyment. Its main feature is lightness and liveliness. Therefore, it is very appropriate to name this music as light music.

But light music is not the same as pop music with pop songs as its core. It is not as gentle as pop music, which has distinctive characteristics of the times and critical awareness of society. It is also not as kitsch and sensational as pop music, but has high aesthetic taste and relatively little commercial flavor. While popular pop songs go out of style quickly, beautiful light music numbers remain timeless. In general, light music is between classical music and pop music. It is a compromise between the two stark oppositions. It can be said to be the "third force" in music. It has both classical and modern flavors, is gorgeous but not gaudy, romantic but not frivolous, lyrical but not lingering, easy to understand and approachable, elegant in style and extraordinary in style. Classical music fans don't find it vulgar, and pop music lovers can also accept it. It can be said to be both elegant and vulgar.

This characteristic of light music made it widely popular as soon as it appeared. The Mantovani Band established in the late 1930s is a symbol of the birth of light music. With its extremely soft, melodious and intoxicating performance, the band quickly established its own unique image and temperament in light music, establishing its own position in the popular music world. The 1960s and 1970s were the heyday of light music. A large number of distinctive light music bands were established one after another, such as the James Last Band, the Paul Moriah Band, the Henry Mancini Band, and the Percy Faith Band. Band, Stanley Black Band, Bert Kempfert Band, Werner Müller Band, Alfred Hauser Band, Frank Purcell Band, etc. These bands continue to hold light music concerts all over Europe and the United States, and record a large number of exquisite records, which are sold all over the world. This kind of small and exquisite music makes classical music fans feel refreshed and unique, just like changing into casual and natural casual clothes after wearing serious suits for a long time.

For pop music lovers, after experiencing the impact of hoarse shouts, light music is like a cool and refreshing drink.

Light music is adapted in popular techniques and played by a small band to create a warm and romantic atmosphere. The melody is relaxed and beautiful, with a casual nature. Light music has a simple structure, bright rhythm and beautiful melody. It has no profound connotation and just wants to bring people relaxed enjoyment. Because of its lightness and liveliness, it is very appropriate to call it light music. But it is different from pop music with pop songs as its core. Pop music has distinct characteristics of the times. Unlike popular pop songs that will quickly become outdated, beautiful melodies will last forever. It is between classical and popular, a compromise of sharp contrast between the two, and can be described as the third force. It has both classical and modern flavors, is gorgeous but not gaudy, romantic but not frivolous, lyrical but not lingering. It is easy to understand, elegant in style, and extraordinary in demeanor. It can be said to be the most elegant and popular. Light music has been widely welcomed since its emergence. The Mantovani Band, founded in the late 1930s, is a symbol of the birth of light music. Mantovani's extremely soft and melodious, graceful and intoxicating playing quickly established his position in the popular music scene. Its heyday was from the 1960s to the 1970s, when a large number of light music bands were established, such as the James Rast Band, the Paul Moriah Band, and so on. They continue to hold light concerts in Europe and the United States, and record a large number of exquisite records, which are sold all over the world. This kind of music is refreshing for classical music fans, just like people who often wear suits change into casual and natural casual clothes. For pop lovers, after the impact of shouting at the top of their lungs, light music is like a cool and refreshing drink.

Most of the light music pieces are adapted. Among them, European and American pop songs account for a large proportion, and many of them are popular songs on the British and American charts, such as "Yesterday", "The Rhythm of the Rain", "I Love Paris", "Blue Love", "Lily——Mar" Lin" and so on. These songs have been adapted to downplay the popular elements of the original songs and highlight the beautiful melodies, making the music more beautiful and pleasant to the ears. To this day, many of the hit songs have been forgotten, but the light music adaptations remain deeply in people's minds.

Theme music or interludes of European and American movies, especially Hollywood movies, musicals, and stage plays, are another source of adaptation of light music. Musical pieces such as "Moon River", "Time Passes", and "Love Story" have become classics of light music.

Using popular music language to perform classical music is a passion of many light music bands. A good arrangement and performance not only retains the classical spirit of the original music, but also incorporates a distinct modern flavor. Classical music fans feel that it has a unique charm, making those who stay away from classical music feel that the distance between it and classical music has been shortened and improved. Appreciate interest. Bach's "Ave Maria", Schubert's "Serenade", Beethoven's "Moonlight", etc., adapted into light music, sound unique and full of brilliance.

Ethnic folk music from all over the world is also an object of adaptation. Such as the British "Last Rose of Summer", Italy's "Return to Sorrento", Canada's "Red River Valley" and Latin music, etc. In addition, some widely circulated romantic ditties such as "Girl's Prayer", "Love Romance", "Green Sleeves", etc. are also often played by light music bands