Why is modern music written so boringly?!
Question: Why doesn't anyone use Mixolydian or Hypolydian, and why is everything in 4/4 or 3/4 time?
Is it an issue of mathematics?
Answers: Why doesn't anyone use Mixolydian or Hypolydian, and why is everything in 4/4 or 3/4 time?
Is it an issue of mathematics?
I'm not familiar with the hypolydian... isn't that a church mode? I wasn't aware that anyone was using church modes in modern mainstream music at all....
But as far as mixolydian, perhaps you should listen a little closer - a lot of country music has mixolydian scales in it.
The thing is that most music is written using leading tone resolution, and modal music does not use a lot of leading tone resolution. Our ears (yours too) are accustomed to the I - IV - V resolution of the major scale. Combine that with very easy-to-dance-to time signatures and you've got two major ingredients for music that will appeal to most people most of the time.
Modal and non-diatonic playing is still done, but a lot of it is in experimental, fusion, progressive, and jazz circles - areas of music that delve into music territories that may not appeal to most people some or most of the time.
It's not so much an issue of math, I think... rhythmic complexity is often culture-dependent, and can often be only an acquired taste. While I may find 5/4 to be fascinating, and am actually in the middle of writing a song in 9/8, many will probably not find these time signatures appealing, because they're not easy to dance to, or easy to bob your head to, or don't have a strong easy count like 4/4 or 3/4.
Let's face it - some people don't want to think or stop to appreciate the subtleties of odd-tempo music. They want a square beat to shake their a$$es to.
Saul
check out boards of canada.
modern and written with mathematics in mind =)
actually they have a song called "music is math" =D
It's just the way pop music is.
If you listen to pop as a genre, then that's going to be the case. As well, only the unbelivably catchy/simple songs are released- record labels don't really work on what a minority will enjoy. You should maybe look into some local bands or something- they might interest you more.
You remind me of my friend. She doesnt like "modern music" she likes someone named Jonathan Coulton or something like that. You might wanna check him out if you havent already.
Because no one knows music theory and no one appreciates Music. In fact, "music" is sold on the physical appearance of the person on the album cover and has nothing to do with sound. However, some modern Scancinavian metal bands actually know what they're doing (check out Wintersun).
And you can still listen to Classical music and impress n00bs with how un-cool you are.
And yes, Mathematics probably has a lot to do with it. Music and Math are basically just different expressions of the same thought process, if you're completely ignorant of one you probably won't be very good at the other.
Modern popular music is written this way because the people that are very well trained in theory left the mainstream 100 years ago. Complex music theorists are now very interested in dissonance and mixed-medium electronically generated sound, which tends to be aesthetically displeasing and separate from what most people would consider "music." A great example is Schoenberg's 12-tone compositions, which are written using only mathematics but doesn't make much sense to the ear. So they're only entertaining if you can read the music and understand the process that goes into writing it. Just listening to what advanced music theorists are working on nowadays is not entertaining enough.
Popular music is very simple, easy to write, and easy to imitate, but most people find it much more aesthetically pleasing. If you're looking for some fun modern music that is complexly written, it's out there. It's just a little harder to find. My highest recommendation is Danielson Famile (Ships is my favorite album). They will sound a little abrasively obnoxious at first, but the main guy is well trained in music theory and he uses very interesting scales and time signatures. I can listen to those songs over and over and always hear something new.