postmodernist music

1.       is not simply a repudiation of modernism or its continuation, but has aspects of both a break and an extension

there are aspects of postmodern music which is taken from old music e.g. classical to create a new piece completely, this could be done by adding on new takes on music mixing

2.       is, on some level and in some way, ironic

music that could make fun of others by adopting aspects from them, for example taking samples from them. However it could also such evoke happiness in the audience by simply intertextually referencing other texts in a new format.

e.g Madonna and Marilyn Monroe cross over

3.       does not respect boundaries between sonorities and procedures of the past and of the present

the text does not necessarily follow the conventions of its genre, this could be by genre mixing. Using aspects of past music styles

Madonna adopts a persona in which she dresses like Marilyn Monroe, a socialite from the past. When she was doing this, she chose to replicate and take inspiration from Marilyn Monroe’s song ‘diamonds are a girl’s best friend’ when filming her video and the lyrical theme is similar.

4.       challenges barriers between 'high' and 'low' styles

there can also be a blurring between ‘high’ styles such as: classical, opera and certain musical pieces, and what are considered ‘low’ styles such as: hip hop, pop music and RnB.

Madonna has collaborated with different artists such as vanilla ice, lil wayne and Bjork

5.       shows disdain for the often-unquestioned value of structural unity

style and structure changes along with abrupt start and stops

e.g. vernallis theory of fragmented narratives

6.       questions the mutual exclusivity of elitist and populist values

music is often influenced by the time it is created or written. For example it is often a product of current affairs as music is a good platform to voice elitist and populist views of the time.

7.       avoids totalizing forms (e.g., does not want entire pieces to be tonal or serial or cast in a prescribed formal mold)

the music does not just follow one genre and its typical format.

8.       considers music not as autonomous but as relevant to cultural, social, and political contexts

the genre of the music often means that certain views relevant to the typical audience can be voiced. For example the lyrics in grime music would be more relevant to the areas in which they live and the struggles they face as a part of their culture ect.

9.       includes quotations of or references to music of many traditions and cultures

the mixing and taking of different songs never mind their age or genre and using them to create new pieces of music to fit a new genre.

An example of this would by Kanye wests use of older songs in the mix throughout his latest album: the life of Pablo.

10.   considers technology not only as a way to preserve and transmit music but also as deeply implicated in the production and essence of music

for example Electronic music and remix’s of older songs. Allows new sounds to be created etc.

11.   embraces contradictions

postmodern music artists will often embrace what would be seen as typically different or outlandish in terms of their music, the personas they adopt and the way that they perform.

For example, Madonna over her career has changed the way she performs and dresses to suit her change in music style, who she is collaborating with and the message in the song.

12.   distrusts binary oppositions

e.g Madonna at her time started off being typical of her time and genre however as her career went on she began to distrust the binary oppositions set against her and instead branched out, for example she would stop wearing dresses and instead wear tailored suits which was not typical of her genre.

13.   includes fragmentations and discontinuities

brief samples of certain songs or the music of others are brought out by artists and are faded out early

another example being artists who are seen as a brand and then discontinue it to adopt into a different style.

14.   presents multiple meanings and multiple temporalities

the idea that music can have multiple meanings, for example its literal meaning, metaphorical meaning and others. This is what sets certain postmodern music aside from modernist music of a previous time.

15.   locates meaning and even structure in listeners, more than in scores, performances, or composers.

 The consumer can create a new meaning of the text due to context change which could have been different to its literal meaning when it was produced.