Echoes of the Future in Today's Tunes
(The header image depicts holographic displays in the air amidst towering skyscrapers at night.)
Since Valentine's, we've been busy, lol. I am working a lot in the background.
Yesterday, we had our usual Sunday brunch :) Then we were invited to a wedding. We spent the day out; the change of scenery did a lot of good.
There were fascinating insights this weekend as I looked into how the music industry is changing rapidly right before our eyes...and ears! I enjoyed that excellent study by Chart Cipher, the buzzing music data analytics expert, which Frank @FrankB-1 shared with me. They dove deep into the Billboard charts, and I mean deep - looking at tons of details like genres, lyrics, and even how long the song titles are. Crazy!
They wanted to figure out what was happening today in music's pecking order. I wanted to understand what tools and tricks the hitmakers were using, so one part I loved was about what instruments were hot or not. Guitars are strumming louder than ever while pianos gather dust. EDM could be doing better on those charts, lol. 🤔
I have been geeking over these trends. It's not just stats - it directly affects what we listen to daily. The sounds of today give us clues and hints about where music's headed next.
I appreciate it, Frank! Thank you.
Recent Comments
45
Copy this code into Sonic Pi's editor and run it to hear the music. Sonic Pi will loop through the guitar chords, the marimba melody, and the light percussion in sync. You can adjust the amp (amplitude) values if you want to change the volume of any part and the rate values if you want to change the speed of the samples. The sync keyword is used to ensure that the loops start together, maintaining the rhythm and harmony.
# Sonic Pi code for creating a celebratory music piece inspired by the cactus
use_bpm 120 # Set the tempo
# Define a simple chord progression in G Major
chords = [(chord :G, :major), (chord :D, :major), (chord :E, :minor), (chord :C, :major)]
# Define the melody notes
melody_notes = [:B3, :A3, :G3, :D4]
melody_sleeps = [0.5, 0.5, 0.5, 0.5] # Assuming each note is a quarter note
# Play the chord progression with a guitar-like synth
live_loop :guitar do
chords.each do |chord|
use_synth :pluck # Synth that sounds a bit like a guitar
play chord, release: 2
sleep 1
end
end
# Play the melody with a marimba-like synth
live_loop :marimba, sync: :guitar do
use_synth :blade
melody_notes.each_with_index do |note, idx|
play note, release: 0.25
sleep melody_sleeps[idx]
end
end
# Add light percussion
live_loop :percussion, sync: :guitar do
sample :perc_snap, rate: 1, amp: 0.5
sleep 0.5
sample :perc_snap2, rate: 1, amp: 0.5
sleep 0.5
# Rest for a beat
sleep 0.5
sample :perc_snap, rate: 1, amp: 0.5
sleep 0.5
end
# This will play continuously until you stop it.
PS
Let me hear the result....
Haha, too complicated for me, Fleeky!
I'd much rather just pick up a guitar and play - instant music, no fuss, no muss. 😎
Rock On! 🤘
Frank 🎸
I'm assuming it's all depends on your perspective, Abie.
Back in the day, songwriting used to be a serious art.
Nowadays, anyone can just plug in a bunch of samples, loops, drumkits, a catchy hook and some bland lyrics and you made a "hit".
I'm one of those piano players gathering dust.
My two cents, Abie.
Isaiah 😁
Oh no! I am sorry to hear Isaiah :) I do agree with your assessment.
My EDM, according to them, is bottom, lol. But as I am passionate about it, I can accommodate new creations to make them appealing to a trendier audience.
I couldn't agree more, Isaiah!
I've been in working bands for nearly 40 years and have seen so many changes in music and what it takes to "make it". Things never stop changing!
Now, dust that piano off and start jamming!!
Tim 🎼
I couldn't agree more, Tim!
Since I don't make a living in music, I can play whatever I like, whenever I want to. Lol 😎
Rock On! 🤘
Frank 🎸
"… It's been said and done
Every beautiful thought's been already sung
And I guess right now, here's another one
So your melody will play on and on, with the best of 'em
You are beautiful, like a dream come alive, incredible
A centerfold miracle, lyrical
You saved my life again
And I want you to know, baby
… I, I love you like a love song, baby
I, I love you like a love song, baby
I, I love you like a love song, baby
And I keep hitting repeat-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat (oh)
I, I love you like a love song, baby (oh
I, I love you like a love song, baby (oh)
I, I love you like a love song, baby (oh)
And I keep hitting repeat-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat
… Constantly, boy you played through my mind like a symphony
There's no way to describe what you do to me
You just do to me, what you do
And it feels like I've been rescued
I've been set free, I am hypnotized by your destiny
You are magical, lyrical, beautiful
You are, and I want you to know, baby
… I, I love you like a love song, baby
I, I love you like a love song, baby
I, I love you like a love song, baby
And I keep hitting repeat-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat (oh)
I, I love you like a love song, baby
I, I love you like a love song, baby
I, I love you like a love song, baby (I love you, I love you, like a love song)
And I keep hitting repeat-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat
… No one compares
You stand alone, to every record I own
Music to my heart that's what you are
A song that goes on and on
… I, I love you like a love song, baby
I, I love you like a love song, baby (I love you, I love you)
I, I love you like a love song, baby (like a love song, like a love song)
And I keep hitting repeat-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat
I, I love you like a love song, baby (I love you, love song, baby)
I, I love you like a love song, baby (I love you, love song, baby)
I, I love you like a love song, baby (I love you, I love you)
Like a love song"
Thanks, Luloi :) It is complicated......................................🤣🤣🤣
"Uh huh, life's like this
Uh huh, uh huh, that's the way it is
'Cause life's like this
Uh huh, uh huh that's the way it is
Chill out, what you yellin' for?
Lay back, it's all been done before
And if you could only let it be
You would see
I like you the way you are
When we're drivin' in your car
And you're talkin' to me one-on-one
But you've become...
Somebody else 'round everyone else
You're watchin' your back like you can't relax
You're tryin' to be cool
You look like a fool to me
Tell me
Why'd you have to go and make things so complicated?
I see the way you're actin' like you're somebody else
Gets me frustrated
Life's like this
You, and you fall and you crawl and you break
And you take what you get and you turn it into honesty
You promised me I'm never gonna find you fake it
No, no, no
You come over unannounced
Dressed up like you're somethin' else
Where you are and where it's at, you see
You're makin' me
Laugh out when you strike your pose
Take off all your preppy clothes
You know, you're not foolin' anyone
When you become
Somebody else 'round everyone else
You're watchin' your back like you can't relax
You're tryin' to be cool
You look like a fool to me
Tell me
Why'd you have to go and make things so complicated?
I see the way you're actin' like you're somebody else
Gets me frustrated
Life's like this
You, and you fall and you crawl and you break
And you take what you get and you turn it into honesty
You promised me I'm never gonna find you fake it
No, no, no
No, no, no
No, no, no
No, no, no
Chill out, what you yellin' for?
Lay back, it's all been done before
And if you could only let it be
You will see...
Somebody else 'round everyone else
You're watchin' your back like you can't relax
You're tryin' to be cool
You look like a fool to me
Tell me
Why'd you have to go and make things so complicated?
I see the way you're actin' like you're somebody else
Gets me frustrated
Life's like this
You, and you fall and you crawl and you break
And you take what you get and you turn it into honesty
You promised me I'm never gonna find you fake it
No no
Why'd you have to go and make things so complicated? (yeah, yeah)
I see the way you're actin' like you're somebody else
Gets me frustrated
Life's like this
You, and you fall and you crawl and you break
And you take what you get and you turn it into honesty
You promised me I'm never gonna find you fake it
No no no"
See more comments
Hi TheAbie, I am happy you are a music enthusiast. I used to enjoy the instruments especially the piano, but mine got spoilt and could not get a replacement. I am sort of forgetting my skills. As you know, do not touch the keyboard and get rusted.
Sometimes I do not connect well with current trends. If you go well with the trends, it is good of you. It has been a while, talking to you. I wish you success in your business this year. I know you a very busy person. Keep it up. Personally, I am mixing teaching, research, gardening and of course my online hustle.
Wishing you a productive week.
Take care
Joseph
That's fabulous, Joseph :) You can always reestablish your pastimes... Before the Pandemic, I was completely on a different path... It is a journey... You don't know what the tide brings in each time. I go with the flow...
Good to see you; I know it is February, but Happy New Year...
I wish the same for you :)
Thank you very much, TheAbie, for the best wishes. Let us see how the walk this year will take us. Continue to energize and encourage us as you have always done. Wishing you all the best.
Joseph
Thank you, Joseph :) I appreciate you.
You are most welcome, TheAbiePPlus,