why is classical music not as popular as other styles?

Question

I really like classical music, but to many of my friends it is unapproachable music, and they can only listen to rock or pop.

why is this?

It could well be a class thing?

I come from working class so maybe i'm getting ideas above my station...heh!

Answer 1

The classical music they've heard is probably old, and they probably hear it with the same attention span they use for rock and pop. Usually people like popular songs by the end of the song's "bridge" or as a result of repeated listenings (evidenced by the "Top40"-or-less radio formats).

Classical music takes more time to reveal the depth of its secrets. Just like Columbus's sailors, they don't really believe there is anything out there that can be good, so they don't want to leave the comfort of the familiar.

That, and because it's not for everybody. Try asking them to listen to country music or jazz!

Answer 2

The time! Most popular hits are little more than 3 minutes long,a nice length for radio, you can run 3-5 in a row, and it's time for a commercial.
Many classic pieces take longer, some over an hour and don't lend themselves to well to a radio format.
Also, sponsors. In Philadelphia, there is one station which broadcasts classic music on a dailty basis, and that is the Temple University public radio station, and the classics are only on from 6 am to 6Pm.
Stations will play what their sponsors want them to. if in a market like Phila. has only 1 station which broasdcasts classic only for a half a day, then there aren't too many sponsors willing to come up with the money.

I'm glad some of us like it. I'm into Handel, Bach. Hayden, Scarlatti, how about you?

Answer 3

Because it requires thinking.

Pop music of recent times (but not prior to the last 60 or so years) has been reduced to a predictable formula of harmony and rhythm.

Classical music also has predictable elements, but they are varied so as not to become monotonous and for the sake of artistic expression and novelty.

People who do not like to explore new realms of thinking will be reluctant to try classical music, so you should be happy that you are in the "enriched minority". Keep exploring and have fun!

Classical music is a broad category, and includes modern compositions too, so do not buy the "it is always old" comments.

The best news for you is that you can enjoy classical and still listen to pop and rock.

My advice: make sure that you have a chance to hear some classical live! Go see an opera or symphony. The experience is even more powerful than "canned" classical.

Merry Christmas!

Answer 4

'Classical' music is actually mis-defined.
Classical music really was music composed ca. 1750-1820, which was the era of 'classical' music according to music history. However, this is only a reference point.
Music history has numerous eras. Medieval (1420-1500) Renaissance (1450-1600) Baroque (1600-1750) Classical (1750-1820) Romantic (1820-1890) and 20th century, neo-romantic, neo-classical, etc. are redefined eras of music. Certain composers fit and bridge certain eras. Music history is defined principally in a definitive missive called A History of Western Music by Donald Jay Grout. This is the definitive volume that most music is defined with. And it's a great reference point.

Answer 5

I don't really know. A lot of my friends like it but they are all music majors. Personally I've never hated it or loved it. But that's because there are so very few great CD's of classical music that truly translate the passion and joy of those composers. If I listen to classical it tends to be more movie scores. To me they just seem so alive, much more than something that is a close approximation of what a piece written two hundred years ago sounded like.

Answer 6

Before I answer your question, let me give you a few hints.

Hint number one:
What does folk music consist of? Songs, dances, but very few if any instrumental numbers.

Hint number two:
What does popular music consist of? Again, songs, dances, and very few instrumental numbers.

Hint number three:
Witness the umpteen uses and abuses which "O Fortuna" and "Canon in D" have suffered in the popular media.

Obviously, then, it is not the style of classical music which the general public finds objectionable.

Hint number four:
What goes over big in Music Appreciation class? The Persian Market and the Peer Gynt Suite!

But what goes over big in Applied Theory class? Fugues, rondos, ternary compositions, and compositions in the sonata form!

So the general public favors programme music while the ivy tower residents favor absolute music.

Put these all together and I hope you arrive at my answer to your question: The general public prefers music which is associated with something familiar.

Folk and popular music hold the listener's interest through song lyrics. "O Fortuna" holds the interest of a person who sees a rocket going out on a space mission. "Canon in D" holds the interest of a person who sees a mommy hugging her children. Recordings in Music Appreciation class hold the interest of a student who can imagine a beautiful princess or ugly mountain goblins.

In a similar vein, absolute music holds the interest of a listener who is familiar with fugal answers, rondo themes, and recapitulations.

And there aren't very many listeners like that.

Answer 7

Just because classical music isn't on MTV does not mean it is not as popular. I wouldn't worry about your friends. Why do you like it? If you want them to like it tell them what you like about it. Just remember that classical music has been around and have evolved over hundreds of years. It is popular.
I think many people are not exposed to classical music so they hear one or two pieces they don't like and they think they don't like classical music. Classical music has differen genres just like rock or pop. Happy listening. Check out more modern classical music, they may like it.

Answer 8

i think you need a certain taste to enjoy classical music. you really need to listen and appreciate whats going on. because in classical music theres so much more than just lyrics and a band. theres so many more layers and details to it. i love classical music. and im still young. just 19. it could be because i was brought up that way. maybe because im a clasical pianist. but i love it. i think it really does depend on just how you were brought up. and its not something for people to listen to and be like.."yeah ! this is exactly how i feel." where as..rock or pop songs. there are lyrics and its more easier to understand. and classical is really long sometimes. so people cant really stand to listen to something thats goes on and on.

Answer 9

because you need to appreciate it. not everyone does unfortunately. I find it to be the best music out there. I love it. Too many people are hung up on sports and "smackin them hoes" instead of cultured music that is enriching and not so vulgar. Classical music is unpopular because it tells a story, without words unlike other music today which uses words to tell the story of the artist. Sometimes, the newer artists don't even write their own songs, so the feeling is not genuine like calssical music.

Answer 10

Well, you can't run the whole theme in 2.5 minutes!

Seriously, modern music varies over four measures. Maybe eight, if you count the coda.

Classical themes are usually far more complex, and run over many variations, sometimes only repeating twice, if ever.

That and modern folks are pretty far removed from it. Who takes 15 years to master the violin when I can bang out a beat on Reason in 2 minutes?

I like classical, but some of it plays out like free-form jazz to me, and it is more distracting than inspiring, mood-wise.