Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Jul 9 2007, 03:40 PM
Hi Guys,
Would anyone like to take a crack at what defines Fusion music? I think I kind of know but I am not 100% sure. Ben's E9 Vamp lesson got me thinking about this - I would call that a fusion style ... would I be right?
Posted by: Slammer Jul 9 2007, 04:12 PM
I guess the easiest way to define Fusion is two or more Genres of music mixed.
QUOTE
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_%28music%29
Fusion genre is a music genre that combines two or more genres. For example, rock and roll originally developed as a fusion of blues, gospel and country music. The main characteristics of fusion genres are variations in tempo, rhythm and sometimes the use of long musical "journeys" that can be divided into smaller parts, each with their own dynamics, style and tempo.
Artists who work in fusion genres are often difficult to categorise within non-fusion styles. Most styles of fusion music are influenced by various musical genres. While there are many reasons for this, the main reason is that most genres evolved out of other genres. When the new genre finally identifies itself as separate, there is often a large gray area in which musicians are left. These artists generally consider themselves part of both genres. A musician who plays music that is dominantly blues, influenced by rock, is often labelled a blues-rock musician. The first genre is the one from which the new one evolved. The second genre is the newer and less-dominant genre in the artist's playing. An example of a blues-rock group would be Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble. Vaughan, a Texas blues guitarist, surrounded by a world in which rock was dominating music, used rock and blues together.
One new fusion genre evolved slightly differently; instead of being stuck between an older genre and a newer genre, Metalcore has bridged the gap between the two older genres of heavy metal and hardcore punk.
Posted by: benhowell Jul 9 2007, 04:16 PM
Hello Andrew,
Kinda subjective matter im afraid,
As slammer says, in basic 'fusion' is two or more genres combined, or thats how i have always viewed it.
With relation to guitar, 'fusion' is usually defaulted to jazz-rock kind of thing, but like wikpedia and other articles state it could be prog rock mixed with reggae or something!
Marcus's blues funk jam i would define as fusion-but not jazz rock fusion, more a neoclassical (in terms of techniques) blues feel!
With regards to the E9vamp lesson, i tried to get an alternative blues feel aka Robben Ford ish with the phrasing, but also the use of a quick venture into 'unusual' scale territory (half-whole diminished) would deem it as fusion. But its not really outside jazz-funk fusion, thats for the next vamp lesson!
-Ben
Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Jul 9 2007, 05:11 PM
Cool - about what I thought - think I was thinking of the Jazz Rock thing mostly.
Thanks for clearing that up guys!