Concert Music and Popular Music: What Are the Main Differences?
- Rafael Piccolotto de Lima
- Jan 22, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 21
For the general public, music genres may just be a matter of preference. But, for composers, arrangers, performers and music producers, the musical making process of each style can be very different.
Do you know, for example, what some of the main differences are between concert music and popular music? And how composers working in different traditions often approach the creative process in very different ways?
Knowing the nuances and differences in style is extremely important for those who want to venture into the universe of music creation. The creative processes of each genre have a direct influence on the final result of the work.
Although there are many exceptions and overlaps, concert music and popular music often rely on different creative structures, collaborative processes, and approaches to musical development. Understanding these distinctions can help musicians better understand how music is created across different traditions.
Classical and popular music may be similar in many aspects, such as theme construction. Still, they tend to follow very different compositional and musical development processes.
The Composer as a Complete Creator
From a broader point of view, when we talk about concert music, the composer generally performs a series of functions. He is the complete creator of the work. He not only creates a theme and chord accompaniment but is “responsible” for everything on the score. He becomes the composer, arranger, and orchestrator.
The Collaborative Process in Popular Music
In pop and folk music, the figure of the composer who fulfills all these functions is rare. On the contrary, songwriters generally focus only on melodic construction with simple chordal accompaniment (and possibly lyrics). Other professionals often perform the rest of the development process, including the arrangement.
Differences in Form and Musical Development
Another big difference between classical and popular music is the form: the structure of the piece. Pop and folk styles of music have a much more fixed form than the free and elongated structure of many concert compositions, including orchestral jazz. Concert music tends to be longer, with more complex forms and significant development of ideas thru time. Its counterpart - especially if we think of a song structure - is shorter, simpler, and tends to be more repetitive, based on a verses/chorus structure.
Each Composer Creates a Unique Musical World
Furthermore, it is essential to mention that each composer, whether classical, jazz, pop, or any other style, has their unique way of writing, further expanding the creative possibilities and variety of musical results.
Ultimately, every composer has the potential to become a musical world of their own, extending beyond genres, categories, and stylistic labels. My doctoral research explored this very idea: the fluidity of musical traditions and the countless possibilities that emerge when composers draw from multiple creative influences.
About the Author
Rafael Piccolotto de Lima is a composer, arranger, music director, and educator. A Latin Grammy-nominated composer and recipient of 13 DownBeat Awards, he teaches, mentors, and supports musicians in the areas of composition, arranging, musical creativity, and artistic development.
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