RESEARCH: Genre

Pop – Singer/Songwriter

Introduction

• The singer-songwriter pop genre is musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material.

• The genre is associated with folk acoustic

• The genre can be traced back to the 18th century where poems where performed as songs.

History

Although the subgenre can be dated back to the 18th centaury, it wasn’t until the 1940’s when music started to be recorded by singer/songwriters.

Features of Singer/Songwriter

• Play the guitar or piano

• All the focus is on them

• Their voice is the main instrument

Themes

Singer/ Songwriters material is sometimes associated with being angled towards topical issues e.g. romantic, political, confessional etc.

An example of where some of these themes have been expressed in music is Adele’s album 21. In 21 Adele expresses her heartbreak after the break up of a relationship.The album has won several awards and has won Grammy Awards for Album of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album, Record of the Year, Song of the Year in 2012.

Influential ArtistsJohnny Cash was an American sing/songwriter who is described as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th centuary.

Cash’s music crosses over many genres, but is closely linked with country music, which is a genre associated with singer/songwriters.

Cash cover of ‘Hurt’ by Nine Inch Nails and the music video has been voted as one of the best music videos of all time.

Instruments of Singer/ Songwriter

Singer/songwriters normally provide the sole accompaniment. The artists then usually perform with a guitar or piano.

Paul McCartney

Taylor Swift

Elton John

Stevie Wonder

Modern Artists

• Adele• Taylor Swift• Amy Winhouse• Ben Howard

• Ed sheeran – An English singer/songwriter who won British Solo Male Artist at the Brits in 2012. He has said that he was inspired by James Morrison, who is another Brit award winning singer/songwriter.