2. •Popular music literally means“music of the
populance”similar to traditional folk music of the
past.As it developed in the 20th century,pop music(as
it has come to be called)generally consisted of music
for entertainment for large numbers of
people,whether on radio or in live
performances.From the standard songs and ballads of
the legendary Cole Porter,George Gershwin and
Frank Sinatra to the rock and roll craze of Elvis
Presley and the Beatles and the present day idols in
the alternative music and disco modes, popular music
is now shared by the entire world.
3. BALLADS
• The ballad originated as an expressive folk
song in narrative verse with text dealing
typically about love.The word is derived
both from the medieval french “chanson
balladee”and “ballade”which refers to a
dancing song.Used by poets and composers
since the 18th century.It became a slow
popular love song in the 19 th century.
4. • Today the term ballad now refers to a love song in slightly pop or rock style,with the following characteristics:
• 1.Blue Ballads
• This is a fusion of anglo-American and afro-American sytles from the 19th century that deals with the anti-
heroes resisting authority.The form amphasizes the character of the performer more than the narrative content
and is accompanied by banjo or guitar.
2. Pop Standard and Jazz Ballads
This is a blue style built from a singles verse of 16 bars ending on the dominant or the half-cadance,followed by
a refrain/chorus part of 16 or 32 bars in AABA formThe B section acts as the bridge, and the piece normally ends
with a brief coda.
Some enduring pop standard and jazz ballads include The Man I Love (George Gershwin,above left),Always(Irving
berlin,above center),and in a Sentimental Mood (Duke Ellington, above right).
