What is Classical Music? A Quick Introduction to Classical Music

What is Classical Music? It can be a vast and intimidating ocean of music to dive into. We'll talk about what classical music is, what it isn't, explore its definition, and see how it's part of all our lives. Hopefully this introduction can help you begin your journey to learning more about classical music and how much you already love it.
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Support me on Patreon: / keepitclassical
Follow me on Instagram: / matthewdnielsen
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About me: I am a conductor, published composer, professional singer, sound engineer, and producer based in Los Angeles. I love classical music and want to help as many people as possible learn more about it.
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Sources:
A History of Western Music (amzn.to/2VfIzCi)
Renaissance Music: Music in Western Europe, 1400-1600 (amzn.to/3jevvVB)
Choral Repertoire (amzn.to/3locFhJ)
Choral Music of the 19th Century (amzn.to/3jwiLdp)
Choral Music of the 20th Century (amzn.to/3xliG0W)
Music of the 17th and 18th Centuries (amzn.to/3zZXj75)
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My Equipment:
My camera: amzn.to/3lpaiek
My microphone: amzn.to/3jk9rsT
My keylight: amzn.to/3A1NZzx
Links included in this description might be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
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Intro Music: Short Ride in Fast Machine (John Adams) - www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJvni...

[@KeepitClassical]

What popular music do you hope to hear in a concert hall/opera house someday?

[@oliverharlan1670]

Your vids have made me want to track down anything baroque in my area. I have a new found harpsichord obsession, thanks 🙏✨

[@Kevin-tc9sz]

Dark Souls 3 - Main Theme

[@kristenthomas3985]

Juvenile Back That A** Up

[@TheSantaCruzn]

@@oliverharlan1670 Yes! The harpsichord-- and also the harp and mandolin-- and Vivaldi's piccolo concertos.

[@RanBlakePiano]

Have subscribed but not getting notices

[@steveeliscu1254]

If we use "western art music" for the lineage of the Europeans, then the Japanese and Indian art music is simply "eastern art music"!

[@budokarate6212]

Bach was a rockstar of that time.

[@orchestrain88keys]

Which category (out of the three) would jazz, blues, gospel, etc fall under? They are still popular, but may be not that much, because the common public really don't appreciate them as much. Should they lie somewhere between classical and popular? What's your thought?

[@redwithblackstripes]

They fit very well in the Traditional or "Folk" music category, although they don't HAVE to fit anywhere in particular, some of it can be considered this or that or multiple things at the same time.

[@emaki24]

Thank you for your work. I use many of your videos in my Music Appreciation classes.

[@KeepitClassical]

Thank you! I'm glad my videos are adding value to your classes!

[@TheSantaCruzn]

I'm 84 and have enjoyed classical music as far back as I can remember-- anything from music from the Medieval ages to Legiti. But I have a problem with vocal music in a foreign language; it's frustrating to really enjoy the music but have no idea what they are saying. When I do find out what the words are in an opera, I'm taken-aback by how the words are so different from what I felt when I heard the music. When you do videos on classical vocal music in a foreign language, could you please consider including CC in English? I'm really glad I've discovered your videos. Thanks! P--

[@mrman9574]

Classical music is a video for the mind as we tend to associate the music as feelings and emotions and we created a piece of our or someone's lives. Thats how I see it.

[@prometheanevent]

That all said (quite well) I have to also note a significant distinction between music for quick visceral enjoyment vs. music that fathoms spiritual depths. A comic book can entertain with a high degree of creativity but it will never be Shakespeare.

[@singaporeghostclub]

I am a metalhead since I was 6 years old. And I dig classical music!

[@oliverharlan1670]

Thanks so much for these videos, I have founds them all really inspiring and they’ve made me listen to classical music differently.

[@KeepitClassical]

Thank you so much! I'm glad to hear that it's making a difference!

[@Infiniteemptiness]

Music in india was also written down, especially during 1600's and even before that. And not art music, it's classical music

[@ianmacrae4963]

Thank you! I starting subscribing to Sirius Satellite Radio two years ago and after I tired of the rock and country offerings I started listening to other music genres. Lately it has been more and more Symphony Hall, and I am beginning to really enjoy classical music. What frustrates me is I don't have a clue to much of the music language they use, or even time periods. So this helps as a start. Thanks again and I will check out some of your other videos.

[@Deliciasdelahumanity]

i like that the books in the shelf are in rainbow order

[@jawvees2585]

Great video sir🥀🙌🏾

[@parkerpolen]

Many people deem the aggregate of serious music eras/genres as "concert music".

[@artactsound444]

There are many definition of classical, of the Greek and The Roman period is a popular definition, that it stands the test of time is a definition I like, there are many other similar and valid definitions. The one I have found that is I think most useful, perhaps mostly in reference to music, but also to all art forms. Is: Having a high quality or standard against which other things are judged.

[@tommyrobert8672]

Question: Since Jazz is no longer Popular, but the composers are usually known, but then there's also so many variations of the tunes: Where does Jazz fit into the 3 categories? Is it Classical? I can see some Jazz being described as Pop, like So What by Miles Davis, maybe, but then more obscure songs wouldn't be pop, right?

[@singaporeghostclub]

What’s the difference or differences amongst symphonies, concertos, chamber music, etc?

[@jencleary5682]

We really want to use your content in some educational resources for schools, how can we talk to you about licensing it?

[@rsolsjo]

Has probably been said but that clip is actually from Star Trek Beyond, released in 2016.

[@Aurora-bi4wg]

so death metal is pop thats straight facts

[@dr.phil.pepper3325]

I don't have a clue about classical music, I'm more into visual arts and literature. I've always thought that classical music refers to the classical period as an distinct european art movement between the 17th and 19th century (depending on the region). So would you say that for example impressionist music is still a part of classical music, even though impressionism is a countermovement to classicism?

[@KeepitClassical]

Yes. Go to 7:24

[@dr.phil.pepper3325]

@@KeepitClassical Ok, I see. Thanks.

[@Art-is-craft]

@@dr.phil.pepper3325 Classical music is from the neoclassical period.

[@davidramkalawan4264]

What would you call a popular song played on the classical guitar using classical techniques?

[@johnc845]

👍

[@samuelbaquero6313]

How you threw in that Nickelback bash lmfaoo

[@ricardorivas5955]

exact music?

[@leonardopapantoniou4227]

2:33 not classical but academic

[@bryanallen1342]

can someone pls tell me Piece/ Movement/ Composer for soundtrack in following clip? kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5bUmYusepqUhrs

[@KeepitClassical]

It's called "Potato Portato" by Simon Porter from an album called "European Orchestral Romance" www.audionetwork.com/browse/m/track/potato-portato_136920

[@haenglefurtmoldurbidizer6093]

Jazz since Charlie Parker is classical music. Swing is too popular to qualify. The former is more complex than the latter, so it passes a sniff test.

[@Art-is-craft]

That is not what classifies music as classical. It is music from the neoclassical period that defines it as classical.

[@dukeengine1339]

My dear friend, I'm quite ignorant. But based on my free studies I cannot agree with you on most of your statements. Too much to write to explicate my point, but just as an example JS Bach gave the most tremendous boost to what is defined classical canon, and fit sure Schonberg cannot be defined classical: he is the father of dodecaphonic music and serial music, cutting with the tonal tradition that is, more than other, classical. I think, but I can be wrong, that the sight of the instruments and the setting of who makes music often slides sideways to what is called the music they play. A symphonic orchestra or a quartet is not classical. Classical is the scheme, tonal or modal or whatever, that they use. But I could be wrong. Thank you! 🙏🏻🌞

[@devolapopola8289]

i'm trying to understand these classical music, i just don't understand the beauty of it

[@slevemcdichael3712]

The truth is that i have no idea thats why its keep it classical 💀💀 havent laughed this hqrd in a while

[@ricardorivas5955]

old japanese and indian music isnt really classical music, most people asociate the term with more western music, they may use the term as japanese classical music but that doesnt make sense since there is no connection to the classical period, its just old music or any other term that could be related to the context of the piece so i feel the term is more related to that, the classical period, the before and after and implies the following of a western tradition

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

What? No mention of the Wagner-Brahms War? This divided my family for decades, pitting siblings in bloody violin bow battles.

[@KeepitClassical]

In due time.

[@Art-is-craft]

Classic music is from the classical revival period.

[@Art-is-craft]

Medieval music is not classical music and neither is 20th century. The length of time passed is not what defines music as classical. What defines it is music that was created in the classical period.

[@waynebagley]

I like classical music until someone sings. Then I shut it down.

[@Twentythousandlps]

I don't think "folk music" plays much of a role among the people at large, and hasn't for many years. Popular music is the music of the masses (at least 95%) and is all they ever learn.

[@ronswansonsdog2833]

So much hate for Nickelback lol

[@CybreSmee]

While I understand where you're going with this, I completely disagree than you can pigeonhole modern music like that. Pre-1950's (or thereabouts), music was defined by "classical" instruments, not trends. There was no 'hiphop' or 'EDM', so there was no trend towards them. There was only orchestral music. In modern music we have orchestral AND electronic instruments, all with millions of variations. You can easily have 'Bach style' music written today alongside 'industrial psytrance' - often in the same piece. The scope of music was extremely limited to upper-class individuals who could afford to hear it. There were few options - perhaps a few hundred composers getting commissions at any one stage. Today Spotify get 30,000 uploads per minute. You simply can't compare historic music with modern. This is the snobbery of the conservatoire pseudo-intellectuals that annoys me, like somehow it needs to be old to be good.

[@steveeliscu1254]

WRONG! What we call classical was never music of the masses...never "popular." Plus there is "classical music" being written right now. But very few hear it or care about it.