Traditional Music and New Music in the West

Carnival in Trinidad is constantly undergoing both musical and nonmusical changes. There is often great controversy over whether or not these are positive changes. In Shannon Dudley’s book, Carnival Music in Trinidad, she explains, “Trinidadians argue passionately about whether modern changes in carnival are good or bad. Concepts of tradition and social identity figure prominently in these arguments...” (103). She further indicates that “change and controversy, as much as continuity and tradition” have been apart of their history and will continue to be apart of their future. Dudley argues that these changes within music reflect their “diverse and evolving society” as well (104). The argument of music’s evolution, from traditional to contemporary, is not at all restricted to Trinidadian music and carnival. In Western music, traditionalists and modern artists are at odds with each other. Traditionalists appreciate traditional music’s intricacies and thus believe modern day music does not have the same admirable aspects. Meanwhile, modern day artists believe the evolution of music is a beautiful and natural thing that occurs in order to allow the freedom of expression.
When thinking of musical preferences, Traditionalists tend to prefer older western styles of music over modern. Traditionalists prefer older styles of music, usually styles of music that were popular when they were growing up. “They lived in a world where that style of music had always been listened to and it would appear in films, radio and they would often hear it on gramophone records” (Weaver). When growing up with a certain kind of music, the subconscious has a certain sort of nostalgia with the music leading traditionalists unable to see the significance of newer music. Traditionalists also associate traditional music with church. Because of this association between classical music and its prayerful essence, traditionalists prefer classical hymnal music over faster
paced modern styles.


In addition to childhood and church influences, traditionalists are able to enjoy classical music because of their lifestyle. They have the time to truly appreciate the length and complexity of traditional music like a Beethoven Symphony. “People are busy, and entertainment of just about any kind in the lifetimes of almost everyone alive today has always been a quick bite to eat rather than a 7 course meal. It’s a foreign concept to many people to make the time to sit down and appreciate a piece of music” (Hoffmann). Many traditional music styles such as classical hymns or a jazz big band swing piece require thorough and sometimes repetitive listening to understand what the piece is about. Many modernists do not have the time, patience, or background knowledge to truly appreciate traditional music.

While it is important to preserve traditional music practices, music is constantly changing and this change acts as a platform to introduce new ideas and a way to share one’s own voice. Rap music specifically demonstrates this. The video below is an evolution of music from 1400 BC all the way to 2016 AD. As the video progresses, the content, lyrics, and overall sound of the styles change.


Musical change, among many other reasons, is important because it allows the freedom of expression. Some of the most popular forms of music today, such as Hip hop and rap music, originated from African Americans. This rap-like sound comes from speaking in a call-and-response style while singing. When Africans were transported to America and sold as slaves, Cole Mize writes, “One way they would cope with the tremendous amount of pain & heartbreak of slavery would be to sing.” Singing through their struggles began to initiate changes in musical styles throughout the years. DJ Kool Herc, known as the founder of hip hop and rap, started throwing recreational parties at his house to escape from the discrimination going on in the world at the time. He found out that talking rhythmically into the mic as a DJ was an exciting and inventive way to speak. This is what we now call rapping. Since the creation of rap music, rap and hip hop has been used as a tool for African Americans to express their thoughts and feelings as in the United States.

Image result for dj kool herc

While new artists love and appreciate the origin of rap, some traditionalists don’t consider rap to be “real music.” The rhythmic ability and musicality it takes to marry pitched beats with spoken lyrics is a beautiful way to freely express both historic and current struggles. Not only is rap a true genre of music, but a lot of lyrics in rap are poetic as well. This poetry adds to the literary value of the music, proving wrong traditionalists who argue about what the purpose of rap music is. Famous rapper Jay-Z explains how rap is poetic in the video below.


It is crucial to accept and allow music to change as time goes on. There is always a voice worth hearing and a new idea worth listening to. That said, it is still important to be exposed to traditional music and learn to love ideas of the past. Music is this incredible thing that does not require the audience to prefer one over the other. Both modern and traditional music are beautiful in their own unique way.

Intro/Bibliography: Emilia Soot
Traditional: Frank Saxton
New: Mackenzie Taylor

Works Cited:

Weaver, Victoria. “Why do older people typically listen to more traditional styles of music, such as jazz, classical and blues?” Quora.com, 6 July 2016, www.quora.com/Why-do-older-people-typically-listen-to-more-traditional-styles-of-music-such-as-jazz-classical-and-blues.

Hoffman, Dennis. “Why do people prefer popular music over classical/Contemporary music?” Quora.com, 2 Oct. 2016, www.quora.com/Why-do-people-prefer-popular-music-over-classical-contemporary-music.

Williams, Roger. “Music in the Catholic Church in Britain is in great difficulty, but there are signs of a revival.” Catholic Herald, 12 Sept. 2013, www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2013/09/12/music-in-the-catholic-church-in-britain-is-in-great-difficulty-but-there-are-signs-of-a-revival/.

Wear, Roca. “JAY-Z "Rap is Poetry".” YouTube, 14 June 2011, www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXR-ohNo3Ao.

Maki, Ta. “Evolution of Music - 1400 BC to 2016 AD.” YouTube, 22 Aug. 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=XR2gE_F3aJQ&feature=youtu.be.

“DJ Kool Herc.” YouTube, www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiMk7mtrqnXAhVY3mMKHR_rDi4QjRwIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DMHNrWMyA5Qw&psig=AOvVaw168RMBYjsrbU7JdAymphlj&ust=1510037543908572.

Mize, Cole. “History of Rap - The True Origins of Rap Music.” ColeMizeStudios, 28 Oct. 2015, colemizestudios.com/how-did-rap-start/.

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