Presenter: Godfrey De Grut
Title: Invisible Complexity: How Modern Popular Music Rewrites the Rules of Musical Sophistication
Abstract:
Is modern popular music really simpler - or has its complexity simply moved somewhere else?
Modern popular music is often perceived as simpler than historical forms, but this is a category error: its complexity has shifted domains - from harmony and notation into production, timbre, microtiming, form, genre hybridisation and listener cognition. We'll examine some concepts and techniques that enhance listener engagement in modern music and investigate some of the new tools of musical sophistication.
Key Takeaways:
- Modern music is complex in different ways: Explore how sophistication has shifted beyond traditional harmony and notation into production, rhythm, timbre, structure and genre blending.
- Hear what is shaping your listening experience: Discover some of the subtle techniques producers and musicians use to create tension, texture, emotion and engagement - often without us consciously noticing them.
Date:
This World of Music Workshop will run on Wednesday 28th October from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm.
Venue:
We're pleased to be hosting this workshop at Symphonia Hall, an intimate performance venue in the heart of Auckland. With its exceptional acoustics and welcoming atmosphere, it provides a wonderful setting for music, creativity and shared learning.
About the expert
Godfrey De Grut
Godfrey De Grut is an award-winning New Zealand musician, composer, and educator with a distinguished career spanning performance, songwriting, and music education. He is best known as a keyboardist and arranger, and as a co-winner of the prestigious APRA Silver Scroll for the song Misty Frequencies. Over the course of his career, he has performed and toured internationally, collaborated with leading artists, and contributed to a wide range of musical projects across genres.
Alongside his work as a performer, Godfrey is a Professional Teaching Fellow in popular music at the University of Auckland, where he mentors emerging musicians and shares his deep industry experience with the next generation. An accomplished songwriter and educator, he brings a unique blend of real-world insight and creative expertise to his speaking engagements, inspiring audiences with perspectives on music, creativity, and the evolving landscape of the industry.
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