Directed Study Week 4: Popular Music Genres & Narratives

This week we have explored the concept of genres in the lecture and related readings. In the key readings for this week genre is considered as form of categorisation of music in to different categories as a form of identification (Wall, 2003:180). A lot of these ideas are linked closely to techniques such as coding, conventions and narrative structures as discussed in the lecture. Coding is essentially a means by which music is categorised therefore the emulation of genre identification. Coding somewhat sets the rules by which popular music is produced, distributed and consumed, therefore suggesting that all aspects of music production is based around the concept of genre (Wall, 2003:183).

The reading I have acquired for this week explores the ideas of genre and its reason for consumption. In this particular instance the study I will be discussing focuses on the genre Pop and how the consumption of Pop relates to constructing a life world (Dolfsma, 2007:421). In the study, Dolfsma explores the reasons to why Pop music is used in all aspects of life, for example why it is listened to, used on television shows and adverts. Dolfsma uses the analysis of survey and group interviews to construct an understanding of this. Moreover, one of the things Dolfsma outlines in her methodological research is that pop music was heavily consumed as an attempt by its audience to 'upset, or at least baffle , parents and people of older generations generally' (Dolfsma, 2007:424) this can be linked heavily to Neale's views that 'genre is not reducible to textual qualities, but as the product of specific cultures' that Neale terms are 'genre cultures' (Neale,1980). Suggesting that influences of culture reflect on the categorisation of music. Suggesting that genres are therefore formed around activities in the media industry that coincide with the individuals that consume the media.

Furthering on this idea, Dolfsma's study showed that the consumption of Pop music was linked heavily to the relatable nature in its content as its 'brought structure and meaning into the lives of many young people'(Dolfsma, 2007:436). Much like Franco Fabbri's views on 5 categories of rules, one being the social and ideological rules that govern what the music stands. Suggesting, if the music is received in a way where it's meaning can provide some form of guidance the music itself can be categorised by its audience (Wall, 2003:182).

In terms of my own research related to popular music and genre, I would like to explore Simon Firth's views on genre acting as an effective shorthand for discussing music as well as it being a way to organise the listening process. I feel that many debates within society link heavily to music consumption, therefore to some extent Firth's ideas are evident in society. I believe further analysis would help one understand further method in which genre can be distinguished.

Bibliography:


Dolfsma, W (2004). 'Consuming pop music/ constructing a life word - the advent of pop music' International Journal of Cultural Studies. (421-436)


Wall, T, (2003). 'Genre'. In: (ed), Studying Popular Music Culture. 1st ed. UK: Hodder & Stoughton Educational. pp.(179-188).