Ohio State University
School of Music
Musical Stylistics: Basic Concepts
-
Style:
"a distinctive manner of expression;
a distinctive manner or custom of behaving or conducting
oneself;
a particular manner or technique by which something
is done, created, or performed;
a distinctive quality, form, or type of something
;
the state of being popular;
fashionable elegance;
beauty, grace, or ease of manner or technique;
a convention with respect to spelling,
punctuation, capitalization, and typographical arrangmenet
and display followed in writing or printing"
(Webster's)
-
Fashion:
"the make or form of something;
an often personal manner or way;
mode of action or operation;
a prevailing custom, usage, or style;
the prevailing style (as in dress) during a
particular time;
a garment in such a style ;
social standing or prominence esp. as signalized by dress or conduct"
(Webster's)
-
Fad:
"a practice or interest followed for a time with
exaggerated zeal;
craze"
(Webster's)
-
Genre:
"kind, sort;
a category of artistic, musical, or literary composition
characterized by a particular style, form, or content ..."
(Webster's)
-
Taste:
"individual preference, inclination;
critical judgment, discernment, or appreciation ;
manner or aesthetic quality indicative of such discernment or appreciation"
(Webster's)
-
Preference:
"to like better or best"
(Webster's)
This document is available at
http://csml.som.ohio-state.edu/Music839C/Notes/concepts.html